Complete Results, Instant Grades, and Rookie Impact Report for the 2020 NFL Draft

The 2020 NFL Draft arrived during a global pandemic, forcing teams into a fully virtual war room for the first time in league history. Roger Goodell announced picks from his basement. General managers worked from home offices, relying on Zoom calls and landlines to execute trades. The strange setup produced a class that altered franchise trajectories faster than anyone predicted. Joe Burrow went first overall to Cincinnati, and the decisions made over those three April nights continue reshaping the league. This guide covers every pick, every grade, and the real results that followed.

What Made the 2020 NFL Draft Historically Unique

No draft weekend had ever unfolded like this one. COVID-19 lockdowns scrapped the planned Las Vegas spectacle — the Bellagio fountains, the red carpet, the roaring crowds. Instead, 32 teams operated from remote locations, communicating through Microsoft Teams and makeshift IT setups. Commissioner Roger Goodell read names from a leather chair in his Bronxville home.

The league ran a successful mock draft two weeks prior, testing the virtual infrastructure. When the real thing started, the broadcast raised over $100 million for COVID-19 relief efforts. Technical glitches were minimal. Arizona’s head coach Kliff Kingsbury posted a photo of his draft setup — poolside, laptop open, palm trees in the background.

This forced experiment proved the NFL could execute a complex operation remotely. It also stripped away the usual pre-draft noise, forcing front offices to trust their scouting reports without pro days, private workouts, or in-person medical checks.

First Round Picks and Instant Reactions

1. Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

The Heisman winner delivered the greatest single season in college football history: 5,671 passing yards, 60 touchdowns, 76.3% completion rate. Cincinnati never wavered. Burrow brought instant credibility to a franchise desperate for a reset.

2. Washington Commanders: Ohio State’s Chase Young, EDGE

Viewed as the safest defensive prospect since Myles Garrett. Young recorded 16.5 sacks in his final college season and won the Bednarik Award. Washington’s defensive line, already featuring Montez Sweat and Jonathan Allen, became terrifying overnight.

3. Detroit Lions — Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Detroit bet on the cleanest cornerback prospect in years. Okudah possessed rare press-man traits — fluid hips, physical hands, plus recovery speed. The Lions passed on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, trusting Matthew Stafford’s health, a decision that drew mixed reviews from draft analysts at Pro Football Focus.

4. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia, New York Giants

General manager Dave Gettleman surprised many by selecting Thomas over Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, and Tristan Wirfs. Thomas had the most college starts at left tackle against SEC competition. Critics questioned the pick. Four years later, Thomas earned a massive second contract and silenced those doubts.

5. Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins

Miami’s rebuilding plan centered on this selection. Tagovailoa’s hip dislocation and posterior wall fracture ended his Alabama career, but his accuracy and pocket poise convinced the Dolphins to take the swing. The medical staff cleared him, and the franchise bet its future on his left arm.

Remaining First Round Picks (6-32):

*Traded pick

The Justin Jefferson Steal and the Eagles’ Mistake

Philadelphia selected Jalen Reagor at 21, one spot before Minnesota grabbed Justin Jefferson at 22. The Vikings received pick 22 from Buffalo in the Stefon Diggs trade. Jefferson immediately broke Randy Moss’s franchise rookie receiving record with 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors as a rookie and First-Team All-Pro in 2022 after leading the league with 128 receptions and 1,809 yards.

Reagor struggled through two seasons in Philadelphia before the team traded him to Minnesota — the same Vikings team featuring Jefferson. He caught 76 passes across four NFL seasons. One of the worst first-round receiving failures in recent draft history is the evaluation difference between these two selections.

Day Two Hidden Gems — Rounds 2 and 3

Day two produced several players who outperformed first-round selections.

Second Round Standouts:

• Tee Higgins (33rd overall, Bengals): The Clemson product gave Burrow an immediate jump-ball weapon. Through four seasons, Higgins posted two 1,000-yard campaigns despite sharing targets with Ja’Marr Chase.
• Jonathan Taylor (41st overall, Colts): Indianapolis traded up for the Wisconsin running back. Taylor led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2021 with 1,811 yards and 18 scores.
• Antoine Winfield Jr. (45th overall, Buccaneers): The safety played a crucial role in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV victory, forcing a key interception against Patrick Mahomes.
• Chase Claypool (49th overall, Steelers): Burst onto the scene with 11 total touchdowns as a rookie, including four in one game against Philadelphia.

Third Round Gold:

• Jonah Jackson (75th overall, Lions): The Ohio State guard made a Pro Bowl in 2021 and signed a $51 million deal with the Rams.
• Matt Hennessy (78th overall, Falcons): A Temple center who became a reliable starter.
• Terrell Burgess (104th overall, Rams): Contributed to a Super Bowl-winning secondary.

Complete Day Three Selections — Rounds 4 Through 7

Day three of the 2020 NFL Draft delivered multiple starters and several Pro Bowl players.

Notable Fourth Round Picks:

• Leki Fotu (114th, Cardinals)
• Ben Bredeson (143rd, Ravens)
• James Morgan (125th, Jets) — The FIU quarterback became a backup in multiple cities

Fifth Round Breakthroughs:

• Darnell Mooney (173rd, Bears) — The Tulane speedster grabbed 81 passes for 1,055 yards in 2021, a massive return on investment.
• Mike Onwenu (182nd, Patriots): The Michigan lineman, who excelled at guard and tackle, signed a three-year, $57 million contract extension with New England.

Sixth Round Value:

• Donovan Peoples-Jones (187th, Browns) — The Michigan receiver delivered big-play ability in Cleveland’s offense.
• Tyler Bass (188th, Bills) — Buffalo found its kicker. Bass holds the Bills’ single-game points record at 23.

Seventh Round Hits:

• Kamren Curl (216th, Washington) — The Arkansas safety became an immediate starter, piling up tackles from day one.
• Tae Crowder (255th, Giants) — Mr. Irrelevant started 23 games at linebacker for New York.

Team-by-Team 2020 NFL Draft Grades

This grading system uses a scale matching CBS Sports and The Athletic’s post-draft evaluations. A = elite haul. F = catastrophic failure.

Quarterback Carousel — Drafting the Future

Six quarterbacks heard their names called in the 2020 NFL Draft. Only one didn’t become a full-time starter.

Joe Burrow (1st overall): Reached Super Bowl LVI in year two despite tearing his ACL and MCL as a rookie. Completed 68.2% of passes through four seasons.

Tua Tagovailoa (5th overall): Led the NFL in passer rating in 2022 (105.5) and passing yards in 2023 (4,624). Miami extended him for $212.4 million in 2024.

Justin Herbert (6th overall): Shattered the rookie passing touchdown record with 31. Set the single-game completion record against the Jaguars in 2023. Signed a $262.5 million extension.

Jordan Love (26th overall): Sat behind Aaron Rodgers for three seasons. Threw 32 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in his first year as starter. Green Bay committed $220 million to their patient investment.

Jalen Hurts (53rd overall): The “backup plan” at pick 53 became the NFL’s highest-paid player in 2023 after leading Philadelphia to Super Bowl LVII and finishing second in MVP voting.

Jacob Eason (122nd overall): The Colts selected the Washington gunslinger. He made two NFL appearances.

Rookie Season Standouts and Immediate Impact

The 2020 NFL Draft class wasted no time producing.

Offensive Rookie of the Year — Justin Herbert: Herbert started unexpectedly when a team doctor punctured Tyrod Taylor’s lung before Week 2. He threw for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns, and broke Baker Mayfield’s rookie TD mark. His 66.6% completion rate didn’t look like a rookie number.

Defensive Rookie of the Year — Chase Young: Washington’s edge rusher recorded 7.5 sacks, forced four fumbles, recovered three, and scored a touchdown. He earned Pro Bowl honors and looked every bit the generational talent scouts described.

Other Rookie High Performers:

• Justin Jefferson: 1,400 yards, 7 TDs
• Jonathan Taylor: 1,169 rushing yards, 11 TDs
• James Robinson (UDFA, Jaguars): 1,070 rushing yards, 10 total TDs
• CeeDee Lamb: 935 yards, 5 TDs

Second Contracts and Long-Term Investments

The true test of any draft class arrives when rookie deals expire. The 2020 group secured life-changing money.

Notable Extensions (2023-2024):

• Joe Burrow: 5 years, $275 million (then-largest in NFL history)
• Justin Herbert: 5 years, $262.5 million
• Jalen Hurts: 5 years, $255 million
• Justin Jefferson: 4 years, $140 million (largest non-QB deal)
• Tristan Wirfs: 5 years, $140.6 million
• Jordan Love: 4 years, $220 million
• Tua Tagovailoa: 4 years, $212.4 million
• CeeDee Lamb: 4 years, $136 million
• Antoine Winfield Jr.: 4 years, $84.1 million

The financial commitments show how many teams found cornerstone players in this draft. Eight top-tier contracts from one class is uncommon.

The Biggest Misses — Where Teams Got It Wrong

Not every selection panned out. Some failed spectacularly.

Isaiah Wilson (29th overall, Titans): The Georgia tackle played four snaps. Tennessee traded him after one season filled with off-field incidents, a DUI arrest, and multiple team suspensions. He never played another NFL down.

Damon Arnette (19th overall, Raiders): Las Vegas cut the Ohio State cornerback midway through his second season following off-field issues and poor performance. He bounced to the Chiefs and Dolphins practice squads without sticking.

Jalen Reagor (21st overall, Eagles): The speed never translated. Reagor averaged 429 receiving yards per season across four years with two teams.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (32nd overall, Chiefs): Kansas City drafted the first running back off the board. A seventh-round signing — Isiah Pacheco — took his job two years later.

Undrafted Free Agents Who Defied the Odds

The 2020 undrafted class produced several starters.

James Robinson, RB, Jaguars: Robinson ran for 1,070 yards and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie, earning a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He scored 23 touchdowns in three seasons before injuries slowed his career.

Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Colts: The bespectacled Georgia kicker made 32 of 37 field goals as a rookie and started for two seasons.

Bryce Huff, EDGE, Jets: Huff developed from a Memphis UDFA into a premier pass rusher. Philadelphia signed him to a three-year, $51.1 million deal in 2024.

Kader Kohou, CB, Dolphins: The Texas A&M-Commerce graduate gained a starting position and contributed significantly to Vic Fangio’s defense.

Super Bowl Champions and Postseason Contributors

Every Super Bowl team since this draft has featured 2020 class members playing meaningful snaps.

Super Bowl LVI (Rams over Bengals, 23-20):
The Bengals roster featured Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and linebacker Logan Wilson (65th overall) who led the team in tackles. Los Angeles saw contributions from sixth-rounder Jordan Fuller.

Super Bowl LVII (Chiefs over Eagles, 38-35):
Philadelphia started Jalen Hurts at quarterback. Landon Dickerson (37th overall) started at guard.

Super Bowl LVIII (Chiefs over 49ers, 25-22 OT):
Clyde Edwards-Helaire earned a ring. Willie Gay Jr. (63rd overall) started at linebacker for Kansas City. Nick Allegretti (216th overall) filled in as an emergency starter.

How Scouts and Executives Evaluate This Class in Hindsight

Anonymous polling of NFL scouts and front office personnel, combined with reporting from The Athletic and ESPN, reveals a consensus.

The Top Tier: Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson, and Tristan Wirfs receive the highest marks. All three earned First-Team All-Pro honors and reset their respective markets.

The Surprise: Jalen Hurts. No team projected the Oklahoma quarterback as a franchise cornerstone when Philadelphia spent pick 53. He now ranks among the league’s highest-paid players.

The What-If: Tua Tagovailoa. Talent never questioned. Durability concerns persist. When healthy, his 2023 season proved he belongs in the elite tier. But multiple concussion protocols cloud his long-term outlook.

The Bust: Isaiah Wilson gets every vote. Four career snaps. No debate required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which team had the best 2020 NFL Draft class?

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Joe Burrow first overall, Tee Higgins at 33, and Logan Wilson at 65. All three became core pieces on a Super Bowl roster. Burrow earned the largest contract in NFL history at signing. Higgins posted multiple 1,000-yard seasons. Wilson called defensive signals. No other team matched that volume of foundational talent.

Who was the biggest steal of the 2020 NFL Draft?

Justin Jefferson at pick 22 is the clear answer. He led the NFL in receiving yards in 2022 (1,809) and catches (128), earned Offensive Player of the Year, and received a $140 million extension. Five receivers — including Jalen Reagor — were drafted before him.

How many quarterbacks from the 2020 NFL Draft became franchise starters?

Five. Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, and Jordan Love all earned starting roles and massive contract extensions. Jacob Eason, the sixth QB selected, made two career appearances.

Which 2020 NFL Draft pick is considered the biggest bust?

Isaiah Wilson lasted one season with the Tennessee Titans. The 29th overall selection played four snaps, received a DUI, violated team rules repeatedly, and got traded for a seventh-round pick swap. He retired from football shortly after.

What made the 2020 NFL Draft different from all others?

COVID-19 forced a fully virtual format. Roger Goodell announced picks from his basement. Teams used Zoom and makeshift home-office setups. No crowd attended. The league ran a test mock draft beforehand to prevent technical disasters. The broadcast raised funds for pandemic relief.

Did any undrafted players from 2020 become starters?

James Robinson rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie with Jacksonville. Bryce Huff developed into a premium pass rusher and landed a $51.1 million contract with Philadelphia. Kader Kohou earned a starting cornerback role with Miami.

Five-Year Look Ahead — Which Picks Still Have Room to Grow

Several players from the 2020 NFL Draft haven’t peaked.

Tee Higgins enters contract negotiations seeking WR1 money and opportunity. His contested-catch ability remains elite. Jerry Jeudy posted his first 1,000-yard season in 2023 with Denver, then landed a $58 million deal from Cleveland. Brandon Aiyuk earned Second-Team All-Pro honors and cemented himself as San Francisco’s top target. D’Andre Swift produced a 1,049-yard rushing season in his fourth year.

The offensive line class — Andrew Thomas, Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills, and Mike Onwenu — should anchor protections for another decade.

Quick Reference: Statistical Leaders from the 2020 Draft Class (Through 2023 Season)

The 2020 NFL Draft produced a quarterback class that rivals 1983 and 2004 for depth and star power. It gave us Justin Jefferson rewriting the record books. It reminded everyone that seventh-rounders and undrafted free agents can outplay top-ten picks. And it proved the league could adapt when circumstances demanded innovation. Scroll through the pick-by-pick table again. Look at the contracts, the grades, the misses. The evidence sits in plain view. This class delivered everything the NFL hopes for — and a few cautionary tales it needs to remember.