As part of their pre-draft coverage, NFL.com is looking back at recent drafts and wondering what if they were done again with the knowledge we have today. Former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi did the 2005 draft re-do and Cole was selected No. 6 overall by the Tennessee Titans. In real life, Cole was a fifth-round pick (146th overall) that year. The Titans selected cornerback Pacman Jones with the No. 6 pick back in 2005.
"Cole would have filled the void created when Jevon Kearse left after the 2003 season and been a nice complement to Kyle Vanden Bosch to give the Titans a great defensive line," Lombardi wrote.
In the re-draft, Cole was the first defensive end selected ahead of the Giants' Justin Tuck, who went No. 8 to Arizona. Cole was selected in the re-draft ahead of other Pro Bowl players like Falcons wide receiver Roddy White and Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff.
A two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, Cole is third in franchise history with 57.0 sacks. Only two NFL players have more sacks since 2006 than Cole. This past season, Cole led the team with 10.0 sacks, 34 QB hurries and nine tackles for loss.
Washburn was the defensive line coach in Tennessee from 1999-2010. He was hired by the Eagles on January 19. Washburn said that he used to show his players game film of Cole because that's the style of player he'd want. Washburn and Cole met at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii following the 2007 season. Washburn's wide-nine technique should allow Cole to get to the quarterback even more next season. In fact, Peter King of Sports Illustrated wrote that Cole should challenge for the sack title under Washburn's tutelage.
