NFL Re-Draft 2022: Aidan Hutchinson at No. 1, Brock Purdy to New York

What if the 2022 NFL Draft were held today, with the benefit of four seasons of player development and performance? That question drives a recent re-draft analysis published by Touchdown Actu, which reimagines how all 32 teams might have selected differently knowing what we now know about the 2022 draft class.

According to the re-draft exercise, the Jacksonville Jaguars would have selected Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson with the first overall pick instead of Travon Walker, whom they actually chose in April 2022. The analysis notes Hutchinson has recorded 43 sacks, eight forced fumbles, five interceptions, and one All-Pro selection over his first four NFL seasons, compared to Walker’s 28 sacks and three forced fumbles during the same period.

The Detroit Lions, who originally picked Hutchinson second overall in the actual 2022 draft, would instead have chosen cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. In this re-draft scenario. Stingley Jr., who was selected third by the Houston Texans in reality, has earned two All-Pro honors in his first four seasons and is described as “one of the best players at his position” following his early NFL career.

In another notable shift, the Houston Texans would have selected Sauce Gardner with the third pick in this re-draft, a position Gardner actually occupied in the real 2022 draft when he was chosen fourth overall by the New York Jets. Gardner, like Stingley Jr., has earned two All-Pro selections in his first four seasons, though his production has trended downward after two standout rookie campaigns.

The most striking change in the re-draft comes with the New York Jets, who would have selected Brock Purdy as their quarterback instead of taking Sauce Gardner at No. 4 in the actual draft. Purdy, who was the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft — earning “Mr. Irrelevant” honors when selected by the San Francisco 49ers — has since emerged as a starting quarterback in San Francisco, leading the 49ers to multiple playoff appearances and a Super Bowl berth.

The re-draft analysis underscores how difficult This proves to project college success to NFL performance, particularly at the quarterback position where Purdy’s late-round selection contrasts sharply with his on-field results. It also highlights how defensive players dominated early selections in the 2022 draft, with the first five picks all being defensive athletes — a rarity in recent draft history.

While Touchdown Actu’s re-draft is speculative in nature, it reflects a growing trend in sports media to reassess past drafts using actual player performance data. Such exercises serve not only as retrospective evaluations but also as tools for understanding how team needs, scouting accuracy, and player development trajectories shape franchise fortunes over time.

As of the publication date of April 23, 2026, none of the teams involved in these hypothetical selections have publicly commented on the re-draft scenario. The analysis remains an editorial exercise based on verified player statistics and career trajectories through the 2025 NFL season.

For ongoing coverage of NFL draft evaluations, player performance analysis, and retrospective assessments of past draft classes, continue to follow Archysport.com, where expert journalists break down the decisions that shape the league’s future.

What do you suppose about how the 2022 NFL Draft would look if held today? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on our social media channels.