Who Really Won the 2020 NFL Draft? Full Results & Analysis
The 2020 NFL Draft promised a new wave of franchise-changing talent, but did your team make the right calls? Missing on a top pick can haunt a roster for half a decade. You need straight facts, not hype. This complete hub breaks down all 32 first-round selections, real draft grades, and hidden gems. See who struck gold and who whiffed.
The First Round of the 2020 NFL Draft: A Quick Look at Each Pick
Below is the complete first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Use this table as your quick-reference cheat sheet whenever you revisit that night’s surprises and slam dunks.
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College | Quick Take |
| 1 | Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU | Heisman winner, instant starter, led Bengals to Super Bowl by Year 2. |
| 2 | Washington Redskins | Chase Young | DE | Ohio State | Defensive Rookie of the Year, relentless edge presence. |
| 3 | Detroit Lions | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State | Injuries derailed his Detroit run; later traded. |
| 4 | New York Giants | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia | Slow start but developed into a top-10 left tackle. |
| 5 | Miami Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama | High risk coming off hip injury; flashes of brilliance mixed with durability questions. |
| 6 | Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon | Offensive Rookie of the Year, elite arm talent, franchise pillar. |
| 7 | Carolina Panthers | Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn | Run-stuffing force who grew as an interior pass rusher. |
| 8 | Arizona Cardinals | Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson | Versatile athlete, never found a true NFL position. |
| 9 | Jacksonville Jaguars | C.J. Henderson | CB | Florida | Struggled with consistency; traded to Panthers after two seasons. |
| 10 | Cleveland Browns | Jedrick Wills Jr. | OT | Alabama | Moved from right to left tackle; solid but not spectacular. |
| 11 | New York Jets | Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville | Massive upside, derailed by injuries and weight issues. |
| 12 | Las Vegas Raiders | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama | Speed threat who faced legal troubles and release. |
| 13 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa | Immediate All-Pro right tackle, Super Bowl champion as rookie. |
| 14 | San Francisco 49ers | Javon Kinlaw | DT | South Carolina | Flashed power but struggled to stay healthy; later traded. |
| 15 | Denver Broncos | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama | Elite route runner, produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons later. |
| 16 | Atlanta Falcons | A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson | Quick, sticky coverage corner; team’s best defensive back for years. |
| 17 | Dallas Cowboys | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma | Three-time Pro Bowler, game-breaking yards-after-catch monster. |
| 18 | Miami Dolphins | Austin Jackson | OT | USC | Inconsistent early, found a home at guard with another team. |
| 19 | Las Vegas Raiders | Damon Arnette | CB | Ohio State | Off-field issues and poor play led to quick release. |
| 20 | Jacksonville Jaguars | K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU | Never recaptured college pass-rush production. |
| 21 | Philadelphia Eagles | Jalen Reagor | WR | TCU | Drafted ahead of Justin Jefferson; became a massive miss. |
| 22 | Minnesota Vikings | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU | Arguably the best receiver in football, 2022 Offensive Player of the Year. |
| 23 | Los Angeles Chargers | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma | Traded up for him; sideline-to-sideline speed but coverage lapses. |
| 24 | New Orleans Saints | Cesar Ruiz | C | Michigan | Solid interior lineman, started multiple seasons. |
| 25 | San Francisco 49ers | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State | Broke out as a YAC weapon, 1,300-yard season in 2023. |
| 26 | Green Bay Packers | Jordan Love | QB | Utah State | Sat behind Aaron Rodgers, then led Packers to playoffs as first-year starter. |
| 27 | Seattle Seahawks | Jordyn Brooks | LB | Texas Tech | Tackle machine, led team in stops, earned second contract. |
| 28 | Baltimore Ravens | Patrick Queen | LB | LSU | Playmaker who later joined division rival Steelers. |
| 29 | Tennessee Titans | Isaiah Wilson | OT | Georgia | Played four career snaps; multiple off-field incidents ended his Titans tenure. |
| 30 | Miami Dolphins | Noah Igbinoghene | CB | Auburn | Raw project, rarely saw the field on defense. |
| 31 | Minnesota Vikings | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU | Tragic loss; showed competitive coverage skills in limited action. |
| 32 | Kansas City Chiefs | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | LSU | Drafted as pass-catching back, never claimed bell-cow role. |
Why the 2020 NFL Draft Class Turned Heads
General managers entered draft night with virtual war rooms and zero in-person medical checks. The pandemic forced a fully remote draft, yet the talent pool delivered immediate stars and long-term starters. Three quarterbacks from the first six picks have already signed massive second contracts, and one wide receiver re-wrote the record books. The 2020 NFL Draft reshaped the league’s quarterback landscape and gave several teams foundational cornerstones.
Joe Burrow Goes No. 1: Lock or Gamble?
Cincinnati never blinked. They handed Joe Burrow the keys after his record-smashing senior season at LSU. Burrow’s 60-touchdown campaign made him the safest pick on the board, and he instantly rewarded the Bengals with a Super Bowl appearance in his second season.
Pro Football Reference notes Burrow led the league in completion percentage in 2021, proving the franchise’s faith. His calm pocket presence and deep-ball accuracy turned a 2-14 team into a perennial contender.
Chase Young: The Can’t-Miss Prospect
Washington grabbed Chase Young second overall, and analysts labeled him the best edge rusher since the Bosa brothers. Young delivered 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as a rookie, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
A serious knee injury in 2021 stalled his trajectory, but his early film showed a defender who could wreck a game plan single-handedly. Young’s first step and power made the 2020 NFL Draft’s top defensive prospect a no-brainer for a team starving for pass rush.
Surprise Picks That Shocked the League
The 2020 NFL Draft produced several head-scratchers the moment the card was turned in. The Eagles selected Jalen Reagor at 21 while Justin Jefferson sat on the board. Jefferson went one pick later to Minnesota and immediately became a superstar.
The Raiders reached for Damon Arnette at 19, a move that unraveled quickly. The Packers traded up for Jordan Love in the first round with Aaron Rodgers still on the roster, a decision that ignited a firestorm but eventually gave Green Bay a smooth quarterback transition. These moments define the draft’s legacy and fuel endless fan debates.
The Tua Tagovailoa Gamble
Miami bet on Tua Tagovailoa’s medicals and pinpoint accuracy at pick five. A devastating hip dislocation ended his Alabama career in November 2019, yet the Dolphins saw a quick-trigger lefty with elite anticipation. Tua’s rookie year featured flashes and benchings, but 2023 unveiled his ceiling when he led the NFL in passing yards. The gamble looks much sharper now, though the 2020 NFL Draft’s other quarterbacks taken after him set a high bar.
Justin Herbert: The Chargers’ Quiet Steal
Few expected Justin Herbert to start right away. The Chargers drafted him sixth overall to sit behind Tyrod Taylor, but a pregame mishap thrust Herbert into the lineup. He responded with one of the greatest rookie quarterback seasons ever, throwing 31 touchdowns.
NFL’s Next Gen Stats charted Herbert’s deep-ball accuracy among the league’s best, and the 2020 NFL Draft suddenly had three franchise QBs at the top. Herbert’s arm strength and poise turned a perceived project into a sure thing.
Late-Round Gems Who Outplayed Their Draft Slot
The 2020 NFL Draft’s subsequent rounds yielded All-Pro talent, but the first round makes headlines. Indianapolis selected running back Jonathan Taylor in round two; he led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2021.
Dallas snagged cornerback Trevon Diggs in the second round, and he immediately became a turnover machine with 11 interceptions his sophomore year. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr., a second-round pick by Tampa Bay, earned a Super Bowl ring and a first-team All-Pro nod. These names prove that draft weekend success stretches far beyond Thursday night.
Biggest First-Round Busts from the 2020 Class
Isaiah Wilson takes the crown. Tennessee drafted the massive tackle 29th overall, and he logged only four snaps as a Titan before a trade and release. Multiple off-field issues and a clear lack of commitment ended his NFL career in record time.
Jalen Reagor’s selection over Justin Jefferson stings Philadelphia fans every Sunday, and Henry Ruggs III’s tragic legal case removed a promising deep threat from the league. The 2020 NFL Draft reminds every front office that talent alone does not guarantee a fruitful career.
How the 2020 NFL Draft Reshaped the AFC and NFC
This draft class altered the balance of power. Burrow and Herbert joined the AFC, immediately creating a quarterback arms race. The Vikings unearthed Justin Jefferson, giving them a replacement for Stefon Diggs that actually upgraded the position.
Tristan Wirfs anchored a Super Bowl-winning offensive line as a rookie, while CeeDee Lamb gave Dallas a new number-one receiver. When you rewatch the 2020 NFL Draft’s first round, you see the scaffolding of today’s playoff contenders.
Expert Draft Grades: Who Passed the Test?
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah handed the Ravens an A for Patrick Queen, and the Buccaneers received universal praise for Wirfs. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. lauded Dallas for stealing CeeDee Lamb at 17, calling it the value pick of the round. The Vikings’ selections of Jefferson and Gladney earned top marks, though tragedy later changed that narrative.
Every draft grader missed on Herbert, who was widely viewed as an unfinished product. The 2020 NFL Draft proves that immediate grades mean far less than what unfolds on the field.
Lessons Teams Learned from the 2020 Draft
First, medical red flags require deep investigation, but overreacting to them can cost you a Tua Tagovailoa. Second, positional value still matters; reaching for a running back in round one rarely pans out, as Kansas City learned with Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Third, character concerns must be taken seriously. The 2020 NFL Draft’s biggest failures stemmed not from talent but from maturity and off-field decisions. Winning franchises prioritize culture fit and work ethic as heavily as 40-yard dash times.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 NFL Draft
Who was the best player taken in the 2020 NFL Draft?
Justin Jefferson, selected 22nd by Minnesota, holds that crown today. He earned Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and posted the most receiving yards through a player’s first four seasons in NFL history.
How many quarterbacks went in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft?
Four. Joe Burrow (1st), Tua Tagovailoa (5th), Justin Herbert (6th), and Jordan Love (26th) all heard their names called on night one. Three became franchise starters by their second season.
Which team had the most first-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft?
Miami owned three first-round selections: Tua Tagovailoa (5th), Austin Jackson (18th), and Noah Igbinoghene (30th). The Dolphins rebuilt their core through this capital.
What was the 2020 NFL Draft’s greatest bargain?
Justin Jefferson falls squarely into the steal category, but Trevon Diggs (51st overall) and Jonathan Taylor (41st overall) also delivered elite production for second-round price tags.
Were there any Hall of Fame trajectories coming out of the 2020 NFL Draft?
It is early, but Justin Jefferson and Joe Burrow both pace toward Canton if they maintain their current level. Tristan Wirfs and Chase Young also showed early dominance that hints at gold jacket potential.
Why was the 2020 NFL Draft held virtually?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to cancel all in-person events. Teams ran their war rooms via video conference, and commissioner Roger Goodell announced picks from his basement.
Your Turn to Decide Who Won the 2020 NFL Draft
You just walked through every first-round pick, the boom-or-bust stories, and the expert grades. Some teams found franchise pillars; others flushed premium capital. Now the question sits with you. Which front office deserves the draft trophy, and which selection still makes you cringe? Drop your verdict in the comments, share this hub with a fellow fan, and bookmark it for the next time someone claims they knew Justin Herbert would be a superstar all along.
Analysis grounded in statistics from Pro Football Reference, draft profiles from NFL.com, and grade summaries from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah. Writer: veteran draft analyst with 10+ years of scouting and team coverage.
