2020 NFL Draft: Every Pick, Team Grade, and Steal That Reshaped the League

No green room. No handshake with Roger Goodell. No roaring Vegas crowd. The 2020 NFL Draft unfolded inside basements and home offices stitched together by Zoom calls. Coaches drafted franchise-altering players while their kids wandered into the camera frame. You want the full breakdown—every pick that mattered, every team that nailed it, and every selection that still haunts front offices. This covers all 255 names with honest analysis backed by five years of hindsight.

Quick Facts:

• Dates: April 23–25, 2020
• Format: Fully virtual
• First Pick: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU → Cincinnati Bengals
• Total Selections: 255
• Mr. Irrelevant: Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia → New York Giants

First-Round Results at a Glance

Joe Burrow at No. 1: Cincinnati Bets the Farm

Zero suspense. Joe Burrow just finished the greatest single season any college quarterback ever produced—60 touchdowns, 5,671 yards, a national championship at LSU. The kid from Athens, Ohio got to come home and rescue a franchise that hadn’t won a playoff game since 1991.

Burrow changed the building temperature immediately. His pocket presence felt veteran-level from day one. He processed coverages faster than most five-year pros. Ten games into his rookie year, a knee injury ended his debut season early. Burrow answered by throwing for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2021. He led Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI. The 2020 NFL Draft started exactly how the Bengals needed it to.

Five Quarterbacks Go Round One

The 2020 NFL Draft tied a record with five quarterbacks selected on opening night. Three became franchise guys. Two turned into question marks.

Joe Burrow delivered a Super Bowl appearance. Justin Herbert landed with the Chargers at pick six and shattered rookie records—31 touchdowns, 4,336 yards. His arm talent ranks among the NFL’s elite. Tua Tagovailoa battled injuries early but led the league in passer rating during 2023. Miami rewarded him with $212 million. Herbert got $262 million.

Jordan Love at pick 26 shocked everyone. Green Bay traded up for Aaron Rodgers’ eventual replacement. Love waited three years, then showed enough flashes to earn $220 million. Jalen Hurts went Round 2 to Philadelphia and finished second in MVP voting. The 2020 NFL Draft quarterback depth proved real.

The Wide Receiver Class That Changed Offenses

Six wide receivers went Round 1. Three became top-10 players at their position. One became generational.

Henry Ruggs III went first at pick 12 to Las Vegas. Speed terrified defenses until off-field tragedy ended his Raiders career. Jerry Jeudy landed in Denver at 15 and needed time. Once Sean Payton arrived, Jeudy posted his first 1,000-yard season. CeeDee Lamb fell to Dallas at 17. He led the NFL with 1,749 yards in 2023. The Cowboys got a decade-long WR1.

Then came the whiff that defines this draft. Philadelphia chose Jalen Reagor at 21. Minnesota grabbed Justin Jefferson at 22. Reagor caught 64 passes across three Eagles seasons. Jefferson caught 88 as a rookie alone. He broke the rookie receiving record with 1,400 yards. He kept breaking records every year since. The Vikings landed a Hall-of-Fame trajectory player because the Eagles misjudged both prospects completely.

Brandon Aiyuk rounded out Round 1 at pick 25 to San Francisco. His route-running and run-after-catch violence earned Second-Team All-Pro honors. Day 2 added Tee Higgins to Cincinnati and Michael Pittman Jr. to Indianapolis. The 2020 NFL Draft receiver group reshaped how offenses attack defenses.

Tua vs. Herbert: The Decision That Splits History

Miami held the fifth pick. Tua Tagovailoa possessed elite processing speed and championship pedigree from Alabama. He also carried a dislocated hip that multiple team doctors flagged as a major concern. Some teams removed him from their board entirely. The Dolphins bet on the player over the medical risk.

Justin Herbert had all the physical tools—6-foot-6 with a rocket arm. Oregon’s offense never showcased his full skillset. Questions about processing speed pushed him to pick six. The Chargers sprinted to the podium. Five years later, both earned massive extensions. Herbert gives more off-schedule creation. Tagovailoa operates with surgical timing within structure. Both franchises found their answer.

Biggest First-Round Steals

Justin Jefferson (22nd overall): Four teams passed. Philadelphia chose Reagor instead. Jefferson became the first player ever with 1,400-plus receiving yards in each of his first three seasons.

Tristan Wirfs (13th overall): Tom Brady needed blindside protection. Wirfs stepped in at right tackle, earned All-Pro honors, won a Super Bowl, then transitioned to left tackle seamlessly.

CeeDee Lamb (17th overall): Jacksonville, Denver, and Las Vegas all passed. Dallas turned in the card immediately. Lamb became one of the top three receivers in the NFL.Brandon Aiyuk (25th overall): Kyle Shanahan identified his separation skills. Aiyuk posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and helped San Francisco reach a Super Bowl.

Team-by-Team Draft Grades

Top Performers

Cincinnati Bengals: A
Joe Burrow changed everything. Tee Higgins at pick 33 gave him a WR1 target. Logan Wilson at pick 65 became the defensive captain whose goal-line interception sealed an AFC Championship. Three foundational pieces from one draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
Tristan Wirfs at 13. Antoine Winfield Jr. at 45. Two All-Pro players. Two Super Bowl starters.In NFL history, Winfield became the highest-paid defensive back.

Dallas Cowboys: A
CeeDee Lamb at 17. Trevon Diggs at 51 grabbed 11 interceptions in 2021. Tyler Biadasz at 146 anchored the offensive line. Three long-term starters including two elite talents.

Minnesota Vikings: A
Justin Jefferson alone makes this class special. Ezra Cleveland started for years. DJ Wonnum produced double-digit sacks. KJ Osborn caught 15 touchdowns. Josh Metellus became a defensive leader.

Indianapolis Colts: B+
Jonathan Taylor won a rushing title with 1,811 yards. Michael Pittman Jr. became a true WR1. Julian Blackmon started at safety. Two offensive cornerstones from one draft.

Baltimore Ravens: B+
Patrick Queen developed into a Pro Bowl linebacker. Justin Madubuike broke out with 13 sacks. Geno Stone at pick 219 led the AFC in interceptions as a seventh-round steal.

Los Angeles Chargers: A-
Justin Herbert earned a $262 million extension. Finding a franchise quarterback changes everything. Kenneth Murray started before getting traded. Alohi Gilman became a starting safety.

Washington Commanders: B+
Defensive Rookie of the Year went to Chase Young. Over 1,000 yards were rushed by Antonio Gibson. Kamren Curl at pick 216 started 53 games as a seventh-round steal.

Atlanta Falcons: B+
AJ Terrell became a true CB1 and earned a long-term extension. Mykal Walker outplayed his fourth-round draft slot.

San Francisco 49ers: B
Brandon Aiyuk became a Second-Team All-Pro. Javon Kinlaw’s knee issues prevented him from replacing DeForest Buckner. Jauan Jennings at pick 217 caught a Super Bowl touchdown.

Middle of the Pack

Miami Dolphins: B+
Tua Tagovailoa earned a $212 million extension after leading the NFL in passer rating. Austin Jackson developed into a quality starting tackle. Robert Hunt became an elite guard. Noah Igbinoghene never figured out coverage concepts.

Denver Broncos: B
Jerry Jeudy posted a 1,000-yard season before moving to Cleveland. Lloyd Cushenberry started at center. Donovan Peoples-Jones at pick 187 delivered excellent Day 3 value.

Cleveland Browns: B
Jedrick Wills provided serviceable tackle play. Grant Delpit found rhythm later. Donovan Peoples-Jones produced an 839-yard season.

Pittsburgh Steelers: B-
Alex Highsmith saved this class as a third-round steal with multiple double-digit sack seasons. Chase Claypool started hot before getting traded.

New York Giants: B-
Andrew Thomas struggled early but developed into a Second-Team All-Pro left tackle. Xavier McKinney became a defensive captain. Tae Crowder at pick 255 started 17 games as Mr. Irrelevant.

Carolina Panthers: B-
Derrick Brown earned a Pro Bowl nod and a massive extension. Jeremy Chinn flashed before coaching changes misused his skillset.

New Orleans Saints: B
Cesar Ruiz started immediately. Zack Baun converted positions and became a star—unfortunately for Philadelphia after leaving New Orleans.

Seattle Seahawks: C+
Jordyn Brooks posted 183 tackles in 2022. Damien Lewis started four seasons. Darrell Taylor contributed as a rotational pass rusher.

Green Bay Packers: C+
Jordan Love’s development arc defines everything. He earned $220 million after showing flashes. AJ Dillon’s efficiency cratered. Jon Runyan Jr. provided Day 3 value.

Arizona Cardinals: B-
Isaiah Simmons possessed freak athleticism but never found a defined role. Versatility became a curse. Josh Jones provided quality depth.

New England Patriots: C+
Michael Onwenu at pick 182 saved this class. Kyle Dugger played like a classic Patriots safety. Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene never materialized.

Bottom Tier

Jacksonville Jaguars: C
CJ Henderson got traded after one season. K’Lavon Chaisson never developed. DaVon Hamilton provided decent return as a run defender.

Detroit Lions: C
D’Andre Swift showed electric talent but durability concerns limited his impact. Jeff Okudah at pick three busted completely. Jonah Jackson made a Pro Bowl.

Los Angeles Rams: C
Van Jefferson produced a WR3 season. Jordan Fuller provided sixth-round value. Trading picks for Jalen Ramsey left minimal resources.

Philadelphia Eagles: C-
Jalen Hurts at pick 53 single-handedly saves this grade. Jalen Reagor at 21 over Justin Jefferson haunts Philadelphia permanently.

New York Jets: C
Mekhi Becton flashed dominant stretches but missed two full seasons. Denzel Mims couldn’t separate or learn the playbook.

Las Vegas Raiders: D
Henry Ruggs III released after off-field tragedy.Following a video involving a gun, Damon Arnette was released.  Total organizational failure from Gruden and Mayock.

Tennessee Titans: D+
Isaiah Wilson played four offensive snaps. Four. Multiple arrests. Traded for nothing. Never played another down. Jon Robinson’s worst decision.

Day 3 Gems That Outperformed First-Rounders

L’Jarius Sneed went 138th overall to Kansas City and became a shutdown corner who earned a massive contract. Kamren Curl at pick 216 started 53 games for Washington. Geno Stone at 219 led the AFC in interceptions. Michael Onwenu at 182 became a $19 million-per-year starter. KJ Osborn at 176 caught 15 touchdowns.

Jauan Jennings at 217 caught a Super Bowl touchdown. Darnell Mooney at 173 posted a 1,000-yard season. Tyler Bass at 188 became Buffalo’s reliable kicker. Tae Crowder at 255 started 17 games as Mr. Irrelevant. The 2020 NFL Draft rewarded teams with strong regional scouting departments.

Worst Picks That Cannot Be Defended

Isaiah Wilson to Tennessee at 29 stands alone. In a career, four offensive snaps. Cut by Miami after showing up late and refusing workouts. Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson defies explanation. 

Damon Arnette at 19 to Las Vegas never made sense. Kansas City’s coaching staff reportedly laughed when the Raiders turned in the card. Clyde Edwards-Helaire at 32 lost his job to seventh-rounder Isiah Pacheco. Noah Igbinoghene at 30 represented a massive reach that never panned out.

How COVID Changed Draft Evaluation

No private workouts. No team facility visits. No in-person medical evaluations. Everything shifted to Zoom. Organizations with strong processes thrived—Baltimore, Dallas, Tampa Bay. 

Teams dependent on in-person meetings crashed—Las Vegas, Tennessee. Medical information became the draft’s most valuable currency. Tua’s hip. Kinlaw’s knees. Teams without robust medical staffs made blind decisions on multi-million-dollar investments. The 2020 NFL Draft exposed every franchise’s true scouting capability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many quarterbacks went in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft?

Five quarterbacks heard their names called. Joe Burrow was selected by Cincinnati first overall. Tua Tagovailoa followed at five to Miami. Justin Herbert landed with the Chargers at six. Jordan Love surprised everyone when Green Bay traded up to 26. The 2020 NFL Draft quarterback class tied the record set in 1983.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, who was selected first overall?

LSU’s Joe Burrow was selected first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. He threw 60 touchdown passes during his Heisman-winning senior season and led LSU to an undefeated national championship. Burrow delivered a Super Bowl appearance within two years.

Which team had the best 2020 NFL Draft class?

Tampa Bay and Dallas share top honors. Tampa landed All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs at 13 and All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. at 45. Both started in their Super Bowl LV victory. Dallas grabbed CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, and Tyler Biadasz—three foundational starters.

What was the biggest steal of the 2020 NFL Draft?

Justin Jefferson falling to Minnesota at pick 22. Philadelphia took Jalen Reagor one spot earlier. Jefferson posted over 1,400 receiving yards as a rookie and never slowed down. Kamren Curl at pick 216 and Geno Stone at 219 deserve mention as Day 3 heists.

What was the worst pick in the 2020 NFL Draft?

Isaiah Wilson to Tennessee at pick 29. He played exactly four offensive snaps in his NFL career. Multiple arrests ended his tenure immediately. The Titans traded him for a seventh-round pick swap after one season. He never played another down.

Which 2020 NFL Draft wide receivers became superstars?

Justin Jefferson leads as a generational record-breaker. CeeDee Lamb developed into a top-three NFL receiver. Brandon Aiyuk earned Second-Team All-Pro honors. Tee Higgins became Cincinnati’s WR1. Michael Pittman Jr. produced multiple strong seasons for Indianapolis.

The 2020 NFL Draft created superstars, reshaped franchises, and exposed which front offices truly understood scouting fundamentals. Joe Burrow saved Cincinnati. Justin Herbert proved doubters wrong. 

Justin Jefferson made four teams regret passing. The virtual format tested every organization equally. What stands out five years later is how many Day 3 picks outperformed first-round investments. Bookmark this page for your draft reference. Share it when debates heat up. Drop a comment with your team’s grade or the pick that still keeps you staring at the ceiling at night.