Fansided

10 biggest what-ifs in NFL Draft history

By Russell S. Baxter

BALTIMORE, MD - CIRCA 2001: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during an NFL football game circa 2001 at PNINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Lewis played for the Ravens from 1996-2012 (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - CIRCA 2001: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during an NFL football game circa 2001 at PNINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Lewis played for the Ravens from 1996-2012 (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 13: Running back Bo Jackson #34 of Los Angeles Raiders breaks free on the open field against the Cincinnati Bengals defense during the 1990 AFC Divisional Playoffs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 13, 1991 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 20-10. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 13: Running back Bo Jackson #34 of Los Angeles Raiders breaks free on the open field against the Cincinnati Bengals defense during the 1990 AFC Divisional Playoffs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 13, 1991 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 20-10. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

When it comes to sports, second-guessing is simply part of the deal. What could have been different regarding these 10 decisions during the NFL Draft?

Can you say revisionist history? The game “what-if” is really popular when it comes to sports. Perhaps no bigger than when it comes to the NFL draft.

Here’s a look at 10 moves made by teams during the draft, all of them involving first-round selections in one way or another. Things could have been very different for some franchises if things had gone their way. Then again, some of these decisions wound up being the right move.

You can’t change NFL history, but you can certainly have some fun with it.

10. Bo Jackson decides to play for the Buccaneers after the 1986 NFL Draft

Three years after John Elway decided that he didn’t want to play for the Baltimore Colts, another first-overall pick would make a similar decision.

The woeful Tampa Bay Buccaneers own the top spot in the 1986 NFL Draft after a 2-14 season. The best player on the board was talented University of Auburn running back, Bo Jackson. He was the choice by the franchise, but he chose not to play for the organization. He would re-enter the draft a year later and the then-Los Angeles Raiders selected him in the seventh round in 1987.

So, what if Jackson had decided to take his talents to Tampa? Would the team have managed a second consecutive 2-14 showing? Would the Bucs have had to wait until 1997 to make another playoff appearance?

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