National Football League

2016 NFL Rookie Redo

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 1, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Cardale Jones (7) looks to throw the ball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions win 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Which NFL rookie would you swap around?

What would happen if the 2016 NFL Draft had a gone just a bit different?

What if your team got “that guy?”

Sure, most of you have already played this game in your head, or with your football chums, but now it’s in print! The list of rookies that are being underutilized is a lot longer than the four about to be listed, but it’s best to keep the list short and sweet for now. Most of these “swaps” wouldn’t flip the recipients’ futures completely around, but hell, it would help.

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Nov 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Kenneth Dixon to the Minnesota Vikings

Hindsight, am I right?

Most football fans assumed that Adrian Peterson is a mutant and couldn’t be stopped. Wrong. Don’t be fooled though, Peterson will return again and destroy opponents. Like the Terminator. It’s easy to say the Vikings need a running back now, which is why I am doing it.

However, for all the well-balanced drafting Minnesota has done the past few years, they failed to see their lack of depth at RB. Regardless of what anyone thought of Adrian Peterson, and regardless whether or not he got injured this year, or next, or so on, at some point he is going to stop playing football.

Had they drafted someone, things could be very different for this team right now.

Would a rookie fill that void completely?

No, but the lack of a running-game has made the Vikings’ offense fairly one dimensional, with defenses forcing Sam Bradford to beat them. And although Bradford might be having the best game of his career, he is not the type of QB to put an entire team on his back and carry them to glory.

Look, Aaron Rodgers is that type of QB and the lack of running-attack is even hurting the Packers in a very similar way. Kenneth Dixon would give them several dimensions to their offense and something that AP has struggled with; catching the ball.

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Leonte Carroo (88) celebrates with wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) after scoring his touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Leonte Carroo to the Eagles

Leonte Carroo has started two games for the Miami Dolphins this season. During that time he reigned in three receptions and one of them was for a touchdown. He isn’t exactly buried on Miami’s depth chart, but he is placed behind a talent heavy cast at the position. And while he wouldn’t necessarily break records if he were on the Eagles, it’s fair to say that he would make a clear difference.

Carroo posted a 4.5 at the combine, has a 35.5 vertical jump, and a six foot presence on the field. Coming out of college he appeared to be a decent route-runner and one hell of a deep threat. Two things that are plaguing the Philadelphia Eagles right now.

At the time of this writing, the Philadelphia Eagles are number one in dropped-passes and ranked 27th for receiving. We haven’t gotten to see whether or not Carroo has better hands than the current Philly receiving corps, but anything has to be an improvement.

The Eagles are sort of at a crossroads for 2016. They stand as a sub .500 team, and are 4th in their division. Could they rattle off four more wins and find themselves in a WildCard spot? It’s possible, but highly unlikely. Regardless, they’ll need to throw the ball eventually.

More importantly, they’ll need players that catch it. Carroo could have actually been a difference maker for a talent poor team. 2016 clearly wasn’t the year that the Eagles drafted a threat to pair with rookie QB Carson Wentz, so let’s just hope they learn from this season and make use of that acquired pick from the Vikings.

Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander (20) tackles Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) on a kickoff return but is penalized for the horse collar in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 27-25. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Mackensie Alexander to the Atlanta Falcons

There are probably a few reasons why Mackensie Alexander is buried on the Minnesota Vikings’ depth chart. It could be because he lacked discipline in college, or that he didn’t have any interceptions as a two-year starter, but mainly, it is because of the depth they already have.

That’s what good teams do; draft for depth. The Vikings have done an excellent job building their roster every year. With that said, Alexander is already on one of the best possible defenses to develop, but this article is not about developing, it’s about the possibility of being an impact on a team…and daydreaming. Wild, NFL daydreaming.

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Yes, Alexander likely needs time to develop, but being on the Atlanta Falcons would allow him to develop on the field. The Falcons clearly do not have a problem generating points. They also have no problem allowing points. Look, Atlanta may not be in trouble now, but when it comes time for the playoffs they are going to need this type of defensive help. It is worth noting that during Alexander’s time at Clemson, opposing teams stayed away from him.

Alexander was a top CB prospect in the 2016 Draft. At Clemson, he played bigger than he is and had the speed to keep up with all opponents. Two traits that carry over in the NFL. If he were on the Falcons he wouldn’t be a shutdown corner, but he would definitely be an upgrade for them.

Aug 20, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Cardale Jones (7) rolls out under pressure by New York Giants defensive back Donte Deayon (38) during the second half at New Era Field. Bills beat the Giants 21-0. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Cardale Jones to Several Teams

Did you think you would get through an entire article about swapping players around without having a QB thrown in there?

Cardale Jones may not be a NFL-household name now, but for a short time he enjoyed some pre-draft limelight. How quickly all of that goes away. Sure, Jones benefitted from a shallow talent pool for the position, but there were plenty of reasons to be somewhat excited about this guy.

Jones had a bit of an odd career in college. He went from being an unknown athlete, to a superstar, and then to the bench. However, during his playing time he completed 60% of his throws, racked yards in the air and on the ground, and led the Ohio Buckeyes to a national title.

His inconsistency lost him the starting job, which is why Jones decided to chance entering the NFL draft. Either way, he would have been buried in a draft, he might as well strike while the iron was seemingly hot.

First of all, Jones wouldn’t save any sinking NFL team right now, but he would certainly do a better job of keeping them afloat. The Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and San Francisco 49ers are all teams that could use a major upgrade at the position, and if we’re being honest, you can probably throw the Houston Texans into that mix as well. Jones could easily be keeping the Texans in the playoff mix better than their current debacle, Brock Osweiler.

The 49ers make the most sense, though. Chip Kelly runs a very college-friendly offense, and would utilize Jones’ diverse set of talents.

The Buffalo Bills own Jones’ contract and are hopefully grooming him to be more than a viable backup. Furthermore, he is currently behind E.J. Manuel on the depth chart. The Bills will likely continue to run Tyrod Taylor as the starter for 2017, and aren’t doing Jones, or themselves, any favors by sitting on the young talent.

The Bills may easily get hit for potential trades this offseason. Most of all, if that doesn’t happen, well then we know Cardale Jones isn’t any better than E.J Manuel. Ouch.