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, CA – APRIL 29: General Manager Les Snead (L) and head coach Jeff Fisher (R) of the Los Angeles Rams stand onstage with quarterback Jared Goff (2nd L) and his family as they hold up Goff’s jersey onstage for the media after the press conference to introduce Goff, the first overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, on April 29, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: General Manager Les Snead (L) and head coach Jeff Fisher (R) of the Los Angeles Rams stand onstage with quarterback Jared Goff (2nd L) and his family as they hold up Goff’s jersey onstage for the media after the press conference to introduce Goff, the first overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, on April 29, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

5. Titans and Browns don’t trade first and second overall picks (2016)

Before this year’s deal in which the Chicago Bears sent the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers, the last time the first overall selection was traded was seven years ago.

In 2016, the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns owned the first and second overall picks, respectively, and both franchises would deal them away. The Rams, back in Los Angeles for the first time since 1994, gave up plenty for that first pick and would go on to select University of California quarterback Jared Goff.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles also moved up and swung a deal with the Browns and grabbed the No. 2 choice. Their selection was North Dakota State product Carson Wentz.

In his third season with the Rams and second with head coach Sean McVay, Goff was the club’s starter in Super Bowl LIII vs. the Patriots. One year earlier, Wentz was enjoying an MVP-like campaign with Philadelphia before a torn ACL shelved him late in the year. A few months later, backup Nick Foles led the Eagles to a win in Super Bowl LII. Goff is currently with the Detroit Lions, while Wentz is looking for work.

However, the real questions here regard the Titans and Browns. Would one or both clubs have opted for either of those quarterbacks? Would either team have been a consistent contender?

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