Many NFL teams look back on their previous drafts and wish they had a time machine to go back and undo their mistakes. This is the exercise Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team undertook when he did a re-draft of the 2021 NFL draft.
In the original 2021 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers went with running back Najee Harris out of Alabama. Since joining the NFL, Harris has topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons. A feat no other NFL running back can claim.
But in the re-draft, Harris falls out of the first round completely. Instead, Mosher has the Steelers selecting safety Talanoa Hufanga. He played his college ball at USC and the San Francisco 49ers got a steal in the fifth round.
Here’s what Mosher had to say about the pick:
Talanoa Hufanga has established himself as one of the NFL’s best box safeties, but a torn ACL ended his 2023 season prematurely. Still, he is a fantastic fit with Minkiah Fitzpatrick, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers one of the best safety duos in the league.
Hufanga was an All-Pro selection during the 2022 season, recording four interceptions and two forced fumbles. His playmaking and physicality would allow him to fit in perfectly in Pittsburgh.
As much as we love Harris, Hufanga is a better player and would be tough to pass on knowing what we know now of his potential.
