2020 NFL Draft Results & Analysis: Picks, Grades, Top Players

Missing context and scattered hot takes leave football fans hungry for the real story behind the 2020 NFL draft. You want to know which picks actually changed franchises, not just the draft-night hype. This pillar page cuts through the noise. You get every selection, deep player breakdowns, unexpected steals, career grades, and a clear picture of how the class reshaped the league — all in one authoritative, people-first resource.

The 2020 NFL Draft at a Glance

The 2020 NFL draft arrived during a global pandemic, forcing the league to stage a fully virtual event for the first time. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced picks from his basement, while coaches and general managers operated from home setups. That unusual atmosphere produced a draft class loaded with immediate star power and deep hidden value. A total of 255 players heard their names called across seven rounds from April 23 to April 25, 2020. Quarterbacks dominated the early conversation, but the class delivered impact players at nearly every position.

The Cincinnati Bengals held the first overall pick and used it on LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who had just authored the greatest statistical season in college football history. The Washington franchise (then known as the Redskins) selected Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young second. The Detroit Lions grabbed Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah third. From that point on, the 2020 NFL draft became a showcase of aggressive trades, surprising falls, and rapid roster rebuilds. Today, the class boasts multiple Pro Bowlers, All-Pros, and a Super Bowl appearance.

How the First Round Unfolded

The opening round set the tone for a draft that mixed safe selections with high-risk swings. Teams made seven trades involving first-round picks, including a bold move by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to vault up for offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. Quarterbacks flew off the board early, with three going in the top six picks for the first time since 1971. Here is the complete first-round order from the 2020 NFL draft.

NFL.com’s official draft tracker recorded every selection in real time, while ESPN’s live broadcast provided instant analysis and player comparisons. Looking back, the first round produced franchise pillars (Justin Jefferson, Justin Herbert, Tristan Wirfs) and several outright disappointments.

Quarterback Class Breakdown: Burrow, Tagovailoa, Herbert, Love, Hurts

The 2020 NFL draft served up a quarterback group that quickly shifted the league’s balance of power. Five signal-callers became full-time starters, and three earned Pro Bowl nods within their first four seasons.

Joe Burrow (1st overall, Bengals)
Burrow entered the league with Superman expectations after a 60-touchdown Heisman season. He absorbed a brutal knee injury as a rookie, then returned to lead Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI in his second year. His processing speed, pocket courage, and pinpoint accuracy turned the Bengals into perennial contenders.

Tua Tagovailoa (5th overall, Dolphins)
Miami bet on Tagovailoa’s elite anticipation and left-handed touch, even while questions about his hip injury lingered. After a rocky start under constant pressure, he exploded under head coach Mike McDaniel. By 2023 he led the NFL in passer rating and kept the Dolphins offense humming with lightning-quick releases.

Justin Herbert (6th overall, Chargers)
Herbert fell to the Chargers and immediately rewrote the rookie record books with 31 touchdown passes. He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year due to his exceptional arm strength and quick agility.  He has since stacked multiple 4,500-yard seasons and established himself as a top-five talent at the position.

Jordan Love (26th overall, Packers)
Green Bay’s decision to draft Love while Aaron Rodgers still played at an MVP level sparked endless debate. Love served a three-year apprenticeship, then stepped in and delivered a 32-touchdown season in 2023, proving the Packers’ long-term vision correct.

Jalen Hurts (53rd overall, Eagles)
Philadelphia grabbed Hurts in the second round, initially as a developmental backup. His relentless work ethic and rushing power transformed the offense. By 2022 he finished second in MVP voting and quarterbacked the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance, cementing his place among the draft’s greatest values.

The Top-10 Picks: Immediate Expectations vs. Reality

Evaluating the top 10 of the 2020 NFL draft reveals a fascinating mix of instant hits, delayed breakouts, and complete misses.

Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert delivered elite play almost immediately. Chase Young earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, but injuries later limited his impact. Derrick Brown turned into a run-stuffing force for Carolina and earned a Pro Bowl berth by year four. Andrew Thomas struggled mightily as a rookie left tackle, yet developed into one of the game’s premier blindside protectors for the Giants — a reminder that offensive line growth takes time. Tua Tagovailoa’s career arc looked wobbly before Miami built an offensive system that maximized his quick decision-making.

On the flip side, Jeff Okudah battled injuries and never locked down the CB1 role in Detroit before a trade to Atlanta. C.J. Henderson lasted just over one season with Jacksonville and became a journeyman. Isaiah Simmons flashed athletic brilliance but never found a permanent position with Arizona. These outcomes underscore a key truth about the 2020 NFL draft: early picks demand patience, but they also force accountability.

Day 2 Steals: Second and Third Round Gems

Many of the most valuable players from the 2020 NFL draft emerged after the first round closed. Teams that hit on Day 2 added foundational pieces at a fraction of the cost.

• Jonathan Taylor (41st overall, Colts): The Wisconsin running back led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2021, earning first-team All-Pro honors.
• Tee Higgins (33rd overall, Bengals): Higgins gave Burrow a big-bodied, contested-catch weapon and produced multiple 1,000-yard seasons.
• Antoine Winfield Jr. (45th overall, Buccaneers): The safety stepped right into Tampa Bay’s defense, grabbed a Super Bowl ring as a rookie, and later became an All-Pro.
• Michael Pittman Jr. (34th overall, Colts): A physical possession receiver who developed into Indy’s true WR1 with back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns.
• Chase Claypool (49th overall, Steelers): Claypool flashed a rare size-speed combo with an 11-touchdown rookie season before his career took a winding path.
• Jaylon Johnson (50th overall, Bears): Johnson quietly emerged as a shutdown cornerback and earned Pro Bowl recognition by year four.
• Tre’von Diggs (51st overall, Cowboys): Diggs intercepted 11 passes in 2021 and became a ball-hawking first-team All-Pro.

These selections prove the 2020 NFL draft rewarded teams that trusted their scouting process and ignored short-term media grades.

Late-Round Finds That Outperformed Their Draft Slot

The deeper rounds of the 2020 NFL draft delivered starting-caliber talent that teams unearthed through disciplined scouting. Day 3 picks and priority free agents changed depth charts and special teams units across the league.

• Kamren Curl (216th overall, Commanders): The seventh-round safety from Arkansas started 11 games as a rookie and became a defensive captain with over 100 tackles in multiple seasons.
• Darnell Mooney (173rd overall, Bears): The fifth-round receiver out of Tulane reached 1,000 yards in his second season using elite separation speed.
• Jordan Fuller (199th overall, Rams): A sixth-round pick who immediately started at safety and helped Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI as the defensive signal-caller.
• Bryce Huff (Undrafted, Jets): The Memphis edge rusher signed after the 2020 NFL draft, developed a lethal pass-rush repertoire, and eventually landed a lucrative contract with the Eagles.
• Jonah Jackson (75th overall, Lions): While technically an early Day 3 pick, Jackson became a Pro Bowl guard and a core piece of Detroit’s dominant offensive line.

Teams That Nailed Their 2020 Draft Hauls

Evaluating team success in the 2020 NFL draft requires looking beyond first-round grades. Several franchises walked away with multiple high-impact starters and reshaped their trajectory.

Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals landed the centerpiece (Joe Burrow) and a WR1 (Tee Higgins) within the first 33 picks. Later selections like linebacker Logan Wilson (third round) became defensive pillars. This class directly powered a Super Bowl run.

Indianapolis Colts
Chris Ballard added Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., and safety Julian Blackmon (third round). All three became core starters, with Taylor reaching All-Pro status. The Colts got immense value with few picks.

Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb (17th overall) transformed the passing game. Tre’von Diggs (51st overall) became an interception machine. Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore (third round) contributed quality rotation snaps. This draft replenished star power on both sides of the ball.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trading up for Tristan Wirfs solidified the right tackle spot immediately. Antoine Winfield Jr. brought playmaking swagger to the secondary. Both players earned All-Pro honors and helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl in the 2020 season.

Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings held 15 picks and crushed the first round with Justin Jefferson and Jeff Gladney (later replaced due to off-field issues). D.J. Wonnum (fourth round) and a host of late-round depth pieces kept the roster competitive during a cap reset.

The Biggest Whiffs and Misses

No draft class escapes mistakes, and the 2020 NFL draft saw several high-profile misses that set franchises back.

Isaiah Wilson (29th overall, Titans): Wilson played four snaps as a rookie and was traded after multiple off-field incidents. He washed out of the league almost immediately — a disastrous first-round swing.
Damon Arnette (19th overall, Raiders): Selected over several superior cornerbacks, Arnette started only seven games before his release amid legal and performance concerns.
Jalen Reagor (21st overall, Eagles): Philadelphia chose Reagor one spot before Justin Jefferson. Reagor never eclipsed 400 receiving yards in a season for the Eagles and was traded for a minimal return.
Henry Ruggs III (12th overall, Raiders): Ruggs showed elite speed but his career ended tragically following a fatal DUI crash. The Raiders received two years of diminishing returns before cutting ties.
Jeff Okudah (3rd overall, Lions): Injuries and inconsistent technique kept the Ohio State standout from realizing his lockdown corner projection in Detroit. He eventually found a modest role with Atlanta but never matched his draft billing.

How COVID-19 Shaped the Virtual Draft Experience

The 2020 NFL draft will forever be linked to the coronavirus pandemic. The NFL canceled all public events and moved to a fully remote broadcast. Roger Goodell delivered selections from his home studio, while draft prospects celebrated with family in living rooms instead of walking across a stage. Teams relied heavily on video conferencing for medical checks, which created information gaps that affected evaluations.

This unprecedented setup forced front offices to lean on pre-pandemic scouting reports and Zoom interviews. Some executives later credited the process with improving their decision-making by reducing outside noise. Others admitted the lack of in-person workouts led to misevaluations on medical red flags. The virtual 2020 NFL draft became a stress test that permanently changed how teams approach pre-draft preparation.

Revisiting 2020 Draft Grades Years Later

Immediate draft grades mean almost nothing once players step onto an NFL field. A five-year re-evaluation of the 2020 NFL draft reveals how many “experts” whiffed.

Biggest Grade Jump: The Chargers received lukewarm marks for Justin Herbert, with many analysts doubting his pro transition. He now grades out as the top quarterback from the class according to Pro Football Reference’s Approximate Value metric.
Biggest Grade Drop: The Raiders earned praise for landing Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette. Both selections cratered, leaving the roster depleted at premium positions.
Sneaky A+: The Colts’ modest draft class received little national attention in 2020 but produced two All-Pro talents and a quality starter on Day 3.
Steady Impact: The Cowboys and Buccaneers both earned strong initial grades that held up, largely thanks to the immediate contributions of CeeDee Lamb, Diggs, Wirfs, and Winfield.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah have since acknowledged the difficulty of grading a class shaped by so much uncertainty. The lesson? Wait at least three seasons before passing final judgment on the 2020 NFL draft.

Pro Bowlers and All-Pros From the Class

As of the 2025 season, the 2020 NFL draft has produced a growing list of individual honors. These accolades highlight the class’s long-term quality.

Pro Bowlers (selected through 2025):

• Joe Burrow (QB, Bengals)
• Justin Herbert (QB, Chargers)
• Jalen Hurts (QB, Eagles) – multiple
• Jonathan Taylor (RB, Colts)
• Justin Jefferson (WR, Vikings) – multiple
• CeeDee Lamb (WR, Cowboys) – multiple
• Tristan Wirfs (OT, Buccaneers) – multiple
• Jonah Jackson (G, Lions)
• Derrick Brown (DT, Panthers)
• Antoine Winfield Jr. (S, Buccaneers)
• Tre’von Diggs (CB, Cowboys)
• Jaylon Johnson (CB, Bears)

First-team All-Pro nods: Jefferson (2022), Taylor (2021), Diggs (2021), Wirfs (2021, 2023), Winfield (2023). This list confirms the 2020 NFL draft delivered elite talent far beyond the quarterback position.

The 2020 Class’s Impact on Franchise Trajectories

Some drafts add role players. The 2020 NFL draft altered the direction of entire organizations.

• Cincinnati: Burrow and Higgins transformed a laughingstock into a perennial playoff threat. Two AFC Championship appearances and a Super Bowl berth erased decades of futility.
• Los Angeles Chargers: Herbert instantly stabilized a franchise that had just moved on from Philip Rivers. The Chargers stayed competitive and built a roster capable of deep January runs.
• Philadelphia: Hurts arrived as a backup and morphed into the face of the franchise. His leadership and dual-threat ability gave the Eagles a Super Bowl window that remains wide open.
• Minnesota: Jefferson’s historic start (most receiving yards through a player’s first four seasons) kept the Vikings offense elite through a transition period.
• Green Bay: The Love selection infuriated fans in the moment but ultimately provided a seamless bridge from the Rodgers era without a rebuild.

Pro Football Reference’s draft finder tool allows fans to explore each team’s full haul and measure career production. When you trace the ripple effects, the 2020 NFL draft stands as one of the most consequential events of the decade.

Key Trades During the Draft

Draft-day trades reshuffled the board and created lasting ripple effects. The most significant moves from the 2020 NFL draft include:

• Buccaneers trade up for Tristan Wirfs: Tampa Bay sent a fourth-round pick to San Francisco to jump from No. 14 to No. 13. That one spot secured a franchise right tackle who started every game and won a ring.
• Chargers trade up for Kenneth Murray: Los Angeles gave up second- and third-round picks to grab the linebacker. Murray started immediately and became a tackling machine alongside Herbert.
• Vikings trade down and collect picks: Minnesota moved back from No. 25 to No. 31 (and later took Jeff Gladney) while acquiring extra capital that they turned into multiple Day 3 selections.
• Patriots trade out of the first round: Bill Belichick dealt the 23rd pick to the Chargers and stockpiled selections, a classic move that added depth but no immediate stars.

Undrafted Free Agents Who Made an NFL Impact

Several players who never heard their name called during the 2020 NFL draft went on to earn significant roles.

• Bryce Huff (DE, Jets): Huff developed pass-rush moves that led to 10 sacks in his final Jets season before signing a big free-agent contract with Philadelphia.
• Rodrigo Blankenship (K, Colts): The bespectacled kicker won the starting job and connected on over 85 percent of his field goals as a rookie.
• Tershawn Wharton (DT, Chiefs): “Turk” Wharton carved out a rotational interior role on Kansas City’s defensive line and earned a Super Bowl ring.
• James Robinson (RB, Jaguars): The Illinois State product rushed for 1,070 yards as an undrafted rookie and finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting — a true Cinderella story.

These signings prove that every front office that aggressively scouted the 2020 NFL draft understood the real work often begins after Mr. Irrelevant walks off the board.

FAQ: Common Questions About the 2020 NFL Draft

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

Joe Burrow, quarterback from LSU, went first overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. He won the Heisman Trophy and national championship before turning the Bengals into AFC powerhouses.

Burrow’s selection was a no-brainer. He threw 60 touchdown passes in his final collegiate season and displayed pocket presence well beyond his years. Despite suffering a torn ACL as a rookie, he returned to lead the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI and has since cemented himself as a top-five quarterback.

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

Four quarterbacks came off the board in Round 1: Joe Burrow (1), Tua Tagovailoa (5), Justin Herbert (6), and Jordan Love (26). Jalen Hurts joined them as a second-round pick.

The 2020 quarterback class is already one of the most successful in modern history. Four of the five have earned Pro Bowl selections, and two (Burrow and Hurts) have started Super Bowls. The depth of this group singlehandedly shifts how teams evaluate the position.

Which team had the most picks in the 2020 NFL draft?

The Minnesota Vikings led the way with 15 total selections, thanks to a combination of compensatory picks and trades. They used that volume to add Justin Jefferson and multiple defensive contributors.

Minnesota’s strategy reflected a roster reset under general manager Rick Spielman. The franchise used seven picks in the final two rounds alone, looking for special teams and developmental gems. While not every pick hit, the sheer volume delivered a superstar receiver and several long-term depth pieces.

Which 2020 draft pick has made the most Pro Bowls?

As of the 2025 season, Justin Herbert, Justin Jefferson, and Tristan Wirfs each have multiple Pro Bowl selections. Jefferson’s historic production pace and first-team All-Pro honors place him at the top of most “best pick” re-draft discussions.

Herbert’s immediate ascent to elite passer status and Wirfs’ dominance at right tackle make them the other frontrunners. Jonathan Taylor and Jalen Hurts have also collected multiple nods, showcasing how many stars the 2020 NFL draft ultimately produced.

Was the 2020 NFL draft held virtually?

Yes. The NFL conducted the entire 2020 NFL draft remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced picks from his home, and teams operated from separate locations.

The virtual format forced clubs to rely on video calls for pre-draft interviews and medical evaluations. While it created logistical hurdles, many front-office executives later said it streamlined the process and eliminated wasted time. The success of the event led the league to incorporate some virtual elements into future drafts.

Which late-round steal from the 2020 NFL draft became a starter?

Kamren Curl, a seventh-round pick (216th overall) by Washington, turned into an immediate starter at safety. He led the team in tackles as a rookie and earned a long-term contract extension.

Curl’s instincts, physicality, and versatility in multiple coverage schemes allowed him to outplay his draft slot dramatically. Other late-round hits like Darnell Mooney (fifth round) and Jordan Fuller (sixth round) also secured starting roles, underlining the depth of the 2020 class.

The 2020 NFL draft reshaped the NFL’s landscape with franchise quarterbacks, explosive playmakers, and gap-filling warriors uncovered in every round. You now have the full picture: every first-round pick, the hidden gems, the mistakes, and the rising stars who continue to define Sunday matchups. Use this resource whenever you need to settle a debate or evaluate a team’s long-term build.

Drop your hottest take below. Which 2020 draft pick will be remembered as the best of the class when all careers end? Leave a comment and spark the discussion.