2020 NFL Draft: 1st Round Breakdown with Grades
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrows QB LSU
Cincy goes out and makes one of the easiest picks in the draft. Joe broke the FBS record with 60 TDs, threw for over 5,000 yards, and led LSU to a 15-0 record alongside a national championship. Prototypical size at 6’4, 216 pounds with NFL quality vision, and a high football IQ.
Grade: A+
2. Washington Redskins
Chase Young DE Ohio State
All year long he was the consensus #1 pick. Young comes from a school that churns out high-quality DEs with ease. He has shown that he has the agility and raw power to compete at the pro level. 16.5 sacks, 6 FF shows he has a nose for the ball.
Grade: A+
3. Detroit Lions
Jeff Okudah CB Ohio State
Another Buckeye off the board and with good reason. It was unanimous that he was the best DB in the draft. He has a lot of Jalen Ramsey vibes. He is a true shutdown corner and excels in man to man with natural instincts for the ball. Going to a team that lost a Pro Bowl corner and were last in passing yards allowed.
Grade: A+
4. New York Giants
Andrew Thomas OT Georgia
The Giants proved that protecting Daniel Jones was their top priority. The Giants showcased this by going out and getting Thomas, who profiles as a day one starter at tackle. Having played in a pro-style offense will help the adjustment process. He was a 3-year starter in the SEC, so he should be able to do well in the NFL.
Grade: B+
5. Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa QB Alabama
The Dolphins have a no brainer here at the number five pick. Before the season started the narrative was, “Tank for Tua.” He has an extremely high football IQ, doesn’t turn the ball over with a 33-3 TD/INT ratio. On the smaller size and sadly has a mysterious hip injury but received a clean bill of health.
Grade: A
6. LA Chargers
Justin Herbert QB Oregon
6’6, 227 lbs. A huge arm to get the ball all over the field. He comes with some accuracy issues, but he played 4 years in Oregon. His rushing numbers fell off in 2019 but he showed that he has mobility. He can sit back and learn from Tyrod Taylor for the first year.
Grade: B
7. Carolina Panthers
Derrick Brown DT Auburn
Hands down the best DT in the draft. He is superb at stopping the run, with the versatility to play inside (4-3) and outside (3-4). A consensus 1st team All American to boost. Ranking 29th in rush yards allowed.
Grade: A+
8. Arizona Cardinals
Isaiah Simmons OLB Clemson
A physically athletic freak. Stands 6’4, 238 lbs, but ran a 4.38 40. He can cover every inch of the field. Simmons showed versatility by playing multiple positions at Clemson, including a DB. With the Cardinals having one of the worst defenses last year, Simmons should slide in and be the leader of that unit for years to come.
Grade: A+
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
CJ Henderson CB Florida
Jacksonville lost Ramsay and Bouye to trades, so a CB was a glaring need for a team built on defense. CJ has a good combination of size and speed. Garnering 1st team All-SEC honors in 2019 while only playing in 9 games. CJ proved he could compete with NFL talent.
Grade: B+
10. Cleveland
Jedrick Wills OT Alabama
The Browns get a steal at 10 with Wills – The best tackle in the draft, Wills has the toughness, size, and speed to handle NFL DEs. He has the accolades to back it up with All-State Honors in high school to 2nd Team All American. He Oversteps at times and may lunge if he feels beat, but has the footwork and speed that can translate to the NFL. Getting Baker protection and opening holes for Chubb was a must.
Grade: A-
11. New York Jets
Mekhi Becton OT Louisville
Darnold shouldn’t have to look over his shoulder anymore with this puck. The Jets, like the Giants, want their franchise QB to remain upright and Becton can do just that. He is an absolute unit, standing 6’7, 364 pounds, and still ran a 5.1 40 yard dash. Becton should be an immediate help to a Jets team who gave up 52 sacks last year and ranked 31st in the ground game.
Grade: B+
12. Oakland Raiders
Henry Ruggs III WR Alabama
Oakland fills an obvious need at having an offensive playmaker. Ruggs ran a 4.27 40. He needs some improvements on route running but when in open space he has the advantage. He isn’t afraid to go out and make a block when necessary and shows the dog mentality that was a no brainer for Gruden. Showed excellent hands in college, only dropping 4 passes in his entire tenure.
Grade: B+
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tristan Wimps OT Iowa
Tampa Bay trades up to ensure they got the guy who will protect Brady. Projected to be a right tackle which would be ideal for his first couple of years because he isn’t a finished product. He will be an immediate upgrade in the run game in which TB ranked 24th last year.
Grade: B
14. San Francisco 49ers
Jacob Kinlaw DT South Carolina
A team that was led by defense just got a hell of a lot better. Kinlaw is a fast, big-bodied DT. A 1st team All American who will fill the immediate hole left by Deforest Buckner and at a cheaper salary. They got the guy they wanted and got a 4th rounder in the process.
Grade: A
15. Denver
Jerry Jeudy WR Alabama
A team that has young talent on the offensive end gets an immediate upgrade. Jeudy is arguably the best route runner in this draft and will help Drew Locke when he is able to find the hole in the zone. With soft hands and zero fear running across the middle, Jeudy is excellent opposite of Courtland Sutton.
Grade: A-
16. Atlanta Falcons
AJ Terrell CB Clemson
Atlanta went out and reached for their guy. Dan Quinn’s system is a good fit for the press coverage CB. He isn’t overly strong, or big, but has the speed to contend. Good ball skills but isn’t the guy to make a sure-fire open-field tackle. ATL saw a need and tried to fill, but with better DBs available, this is a head-scratcher.
Grade: C
17. Dallas Cowboys
Ceedee Lamb WR Oklahoma
This is a pick where Dallas saw the best guy available and went for it, even if it wasn’t a need. Amari has an injury history, but Gallup is developing. Lamb has a good size guy on the field and always seems to make defenders miss. Giving Dak three guys who can go out and make plays makes for an interesting offensive year for the Cowboys.
Grade: B-
18. Miami Dolphins
Austin Jackson OT USC
The pick they got from Pittsburgh in the Minkah deal was used to protect their future. Jackson is a better run blocker than pass but has the tools to develop. He more than likely won’t be great out of the gate, but he has the tools to elevate himself to be a cornerstone on the line.
Grade: B
19. Oakland Raiders
Damon Arnette CB Ohio State
This is someone I envisioned going in the second round, but he excels at open field tackling and press coverage. He can be a little too physical on the route, which could lead to penalties, but Gruden has to believe he can fix that.
Grade: B-
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
K’Lavon Chaisson DE LSU
With the Jags, who will eventually lose Yannick Ngakoue, the need for an edge rusher to pair with Allen was glaring. He proved he has the quickness and size to be disruptive in the NFL.
Grade: B
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Reagor WR TCU
A smaller guy at 5’11, but he’s very strong. He isn’t afraid of running over the middle and has the speed to blow the top off the defense. Eagles fill the biggest need, as last year their best pass-catching options were TEs due to Desean Jackson and Alshon Jeffrey not being able to stay healthy throughout the year.
Grade: B+
22. Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson WR LSU
Justin Jefferson WR LSU- With the pick they got from Buffalo in the Diggs trade, they got his replacement. He is faster than expected, has great hands, and is an excellent route runner. In a different year could he could of been the best receiver in the class. Coming from an accurate thrower in Burrows, he should feel right at home in the Minnesota purple with Kirk Cousins.
Grade: A-
23. LA Chargers
Kenneth Murray ILB Oklahoma
A guy who has the burst to fill gaps and stop the run. Good Size at 6’3, 241 pounds. He will be a day 1 starter on a young defense. Has the potential to lead LA in tackles for many years. LA believes the in the talent, trading a 2nd and 3rd to move up and get their guy.
Grade: B
24. New Orleans Saints
Caesar Ruiz C Michigan
In what was probably one of the more surprising picks of the first round, the Saints take some more depth at offensive line. A team that is in “win now” mode, this pick is strange. Nonetheless, if you’re going to take a C, get the best one.
Grade: C
Brandon Aiyuk WR Arizona State
25. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers showed last year, trading for Emmanuel Sanders, that they believe they need a WR, so they traded up 6 picks to grab a great route runner in Aiyuk. He’s not overly fast but can definitely break the top off the defense. Decent size at 6’, 205 lbs. He should pair well with Deebo and Kittle.
Grade: B
26. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love QB Utah State
For a team that has a closing window, this may be the worst pick in the first round. GB could have used a WR, DL or LB. Regardless, Love has the prototypical size at 6’4, 224 lbs. Love had a better 2018 than 2019 but that may have more to do with his surrounding cast than his talent itself. If this sticks, GB got another franchise QB in the latter end of the first round.
Grade: D
27. Seattle Seahawks
Jordyn Brooks OLB Texas Tech
What was once the most feared defense in the league, failed to live up to those expectations. Seattle ranked 26 in team defense last year. With Seattle having 100 tackles in 2019, Brooks should fit in nicely with Wagner and Wright to compete as best linebacking core in the league.
Grade: B
28. Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Queen ILB LSU
With what I felt was the steal of the draft, Queen will fill the most immediate need for Baltimore. He has great closing speed, a nose for the ball, and loves to show up against the best competition.
Grade: A+
29. Tennessee Titans
Isiah Wilson OT Georgia
Standing 6’7, 350 lbs Wilson has the size to dominate in Tennessee’s run-heavy scheme. Losing Jack Cocklin in free agency hurt, but the Titans wasted no time filling the void he left.
Grade: B+
30. Miami Dolphins
Noah Igbinoghene CB Auburn
With all the holes Miami had to fill, they opted to draft a 3rd string corner. Igbinoghene is average in size and doesn’t process raw talent to rely on to win matchups. It’s possible the Dolphins were worried about the health of newly signed corner, Byron Jones, but then again why make the signing if you don’t have faith.
Grade: C
31. Minnesota Vikings
Jeff Gladney CB TCU
After losing 3 corners to Free Agency, the Vikings address the obvious hole in what is still a top tier defense. Gladney is undersized, but has good speed to balance out. He comes with good ball skills in zone coverage, so maybe a move to free safety could be in store.
Grade: B
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Clyde Edward Helaire
KC felt it needed to address a minor need at RB. D Will proved he has trouble staying healthy, but when healthy can produce in Andy Reid’s system. He is a little on the shorter side at 5’7, but with a 220-pound frame to add he is built thick. He caught 55 passes in college, which is necessary for KC. Being the first RB off the board is a little off to me because I feel the talent of Swift and even Taylor could have fit better.
