NFL Draft grades 2020: Cowboys, Packers bookend best & worst draft classes, ranked 1-32
WRITTEN BYVINNIE IYER
The
2020 NFL Draft is complete. So how did your team do with all the prospects it picked for their latest rookie class?
Although we won't see these players take the field for a while and won't be able to fully evaluate all 32 teams' draft hauls until a few years down the line, there's still a way to grade their selections. The two initial questions to ask when ranking the classes are: 1. What kind of team drafted them? and 2. What level of talent was amassed?
If a team was a playoff contender, it should have been thinking more immediate impact. If a team was a clear rebuilder, it should have been thinking about stockpiling for a makeover across positions.
Quantity of picks is one thing, but overall quality is more important. Then it's also critical to factor in how teams addressed or didn't address their needs, both for the short term and long term.
Taking into consideration all of that right away, we've ranked and analyzed every team's complete 2020 draft for now, from best to worst:
2020 NFL DRAFT:
Complete results | Grades | Winners & losers
NFL Draft grades 2020: Ranking the best & worst classes
1. Minnesota Vikings
Draft picks: WR Justin Jefferson, CB Jeff Gladney, OT Ezra Cleveland, CB Cameron Dantzler, DE D.J. Wonnum, DT James Lynch, LB Troy Dye, CB Harrison Hand, WR K.J. Osborn, OT Blake Brandel, S Josh Metellus, DE Kenny Willekes, QB Nate Stanley, S Brian Cole, G Kyle Hinton
Congratulations to Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer. Not only did the Vikings maneuver to gain insane volume (16 picks), they also knew they exactly what to do with them. They got their wideout to replace Stefon Diggs, and corners to replace Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander. In true Zimmer fashion, they also reinforced their defensive front seven nicely and had room to get a potential left tackle of the near future. That’s incredible.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Draft picks: LB Patrick Queen, RB J.K. Dobbins, DT Justin Madubuike, WR Devin Duvernay, LB Malik Harrison, G Tyre Phillips, G Ben Bredeson, DT Broderick Washington Jr., WR James Proche, S Geno Stone
Yes, purple did reign supreme in this draft with Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh also looking like two princes of prospects. Queen and Harrison were amazing gets to improve their linebacker weakness. Dobbins was an unexpected Round 2 steal who can be absolutely dominant in Baltimore's league best-rushing attack. Madubuike is a key piece for the defense, too, after losing Michael Pierce in free agency and they have a couple options at guard to replace the retired Marshal Yanda. Duvernay gives Lamar Jackson another speed merchant and Proche
is a nice sleeper at the same position.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Draft picks: WR CeeDee Lamb, CB Trevon Diggs, DT Neville Gallimore, CB Reggie Robinson, G/C Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin, DE Bradlee Anae, QB Ben DiNucci
How about that guy Jerry Jones? Drafting from a yacht, he had the Cowboys living the absolute high life
finding extreme value throughout the draft, starting with Lamb at No. 17 overall. Jones was laser-focused on their biggest needs and didn’t let the best available player pass him up, either. Lamb is a massive upgrade from Randall Cobb. Diggs and Robinson are good rebounds from losing Byron Jones in free agency. Gallimore gives them another way to get to the QB inside and Anae is capable of filling the edge void created by Robert Quinn. After seeing another reliable interior Badger retire from their offensive line in Travis Frederick, Biadasz was a steal, too.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Draft picks: QB Joe Burrow, WR Tee Higgins, LB Logan Wilson, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, DE Khalid Khareem, OT Hakeem Adeniji, LB Markus Bailey
The Bengals lucked out in being in position to get Burrow and stayed at the top with a few more greatest hits throughout the draft. Higgins was an awesome get in Round 2 to pair with A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. Wilson and Davis-Gaither turn their linebacker weakness into a rangy, playmaking strength. Khareem and Adeniji were recognition of upgrading edge depth on both sides of the ball. Put Zac Taylor and Duke Tobin on the honor roll, too.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Draft picks: OT Tristan Wirfs, S Antoine Winfield Jr., RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, WR Tyler Johnson, DT Khalil Davis, OLB Chapelle Russell, RB Raymond Calais
Consider the Bucs’ checklist complete as far as helping Tom Brady in concerned. The
Rob Gronkowski move got the glossier attention from Jason Licht, but these moves were much better than that, as they got a right tackle, a terrific safety, a more complete running back, a needed outside wideout and defensive tackle depth. Tampa Bay should be thinking it can win the NFC in 2020 and made moves in accordance with that.
6. Arizona Cardinals
Draft picks: LB/S Isaiah Simmons, OT Josh Jones, DT Leki Fotu, DT Rashard Lawrence, LB Evan Weaver, RB Eno Benjamin
The Cardinals didn’t follow their expected script, but it was great improvisation from Steve Keim. They got their right tackle anyway after nabbing Simmons, their latest hybrid defender who will deliver big plays from Day 1. Fotu and Lawrence are ideal ingredients to keep improving the defensive line rotation. Don’t forget,
DeAndre Hopkins is a spinoff of this class, too. They didn’t ignore helping Kyler Murray and still got to rebuild well on the other side. Benjamin is a good new potential backup to Kenyan Drake.
7. Carolina Panthers
Draft picks: DT Derrick Brown, DE Yetur Gross-Matos, S Jeremy Chinn, CB Troy Pride Jr., S Kenny Robinson, DT Bravvion Roy, CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
The Panthers didn’t mess around with their defensive rebuild for Matt Rhule. Marty Hurney was locked in for impact players at positions of need, starting with Brown. Gross-Matos is a good complement to Brian Burns, while Chinn will make a ton of plays everywhere for them. Pride was a tremendous value pick to help replace James Bradberry, too. Great recognition to know the team is loaded offensively and needed to get much better overall on the other side.
8. New York Giants
Draft picks: OT Andrew Thomas, S Xavier McKinney, OT Matt Peart, CB Darnay Holmes, G Shane Lemieux, OLB Cameron Brown, DE Carter Coughlin, LB T.J. Brunson, CB Chris Williamson, ILB Tae Crowder
Dave Gettleman gets a lot of unnecessary heat for both his general managing and his
choice of facial gear. Thomas and McKinney alone would
make this class incredibly strong, but getting another tackle, a potential top nickel back and some interior line help were shrewd moves behind the splashy ones. Thomas is a great follow to Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones and McKinney will be better than Landon Collins.
9. Buffalo Bills
Draft picks: DE A.J. Epenesa, RB Zack Moss, WR Gabriel Davis, QB Jake Fromm, K Tyler Bass, WR Isaiah Hodgins, CB Dane Jackson
The Bills didn’t have a lot of desperate needs. Keep in mind, they essentially got Stefon Diggs with their first-rounder. Brandon Beane could afford to be more speculative after getting terrific value for edge-rushing depth in Epenesa and a perfect complementary back to Devin Singletary in Moss. Davis and Hodgins will help when they stretch the field. Fromm was a weird developmental pick, but his winning makeup will help Josh Allen in the QB room.
10. Tennessee Titans
Draft picks: OT Isaiah Wilson, CB Kristian Fulton, RB Darrynton Evans, DT Larrell Murchinson, QB Cole McDonald, S Chris Jackson
The Titans didn’t get edge-rush depth, but they did everything else they needed as Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel got a needed right tackle, third cornerback, second running back and rotational defensive tackle. Taking Fulton to play off Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson and Evans to complement Derrick Henry were especially terrific values.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Draft picks: DT Javon Kinlaw, WR Brandon Aiyuk, OT Colton McKivitz, TE Charlie Woerner, WR Jauan Jennings
The 49ers knew this draft
wasn’t one meant for volume and also knew they had to get immediate rookie replacements for DeForest Buckner (Kinlaw) and Emmanuel Sanders (Aiyuk). They also jumped on the trade for Trent Williams with Joe Staley retiring and were able to get rid of two superfluous offensive players, Matt Breida and Marquise Goodwin, for extra picks. McKivitz and Woerner were solid depth picks. Jennings may end up being a final-pick steal.
12. Cleveland Browns
Draft picks: OT Jedrick Wills, S Grant Delpit, DT Jordan Elliott, LB Jacob Phillips, TE Harrison Bryant, G/C Nick Harris, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
The Browns had a
fine first draft with Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski. Wills fills the void at left tackle and Delpit cleans up major safety issues. Elliott and Phillips were good depth picks for the front seven. Bryant is a versatile cog to furher boost a key position for Stefanski after the teams signed Austin Hooper. Peoples-Jones could end up being a steal to complement Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
Draft picks: CB C.J. Henderson, DE/OLB K’Lavon Chaisson, WR Laviska Shenault Jr., DT Davon Hamilton, OT Ben Bartch, CB Josiah Scott, LB Shaquille Quarterman, S Daniel Thomas, WR Collin Johnson, QB Jake Luton, TE Tyler Davis, CB Chris Claybrooks
The Jaguars took advantage of impressive volume with a little bit of everything from Dave Caldwell. Henderson, Chaisson and Hamilton can all have big defensive impact soon. Shenault and Johnson are good receiving shakeups after D.J. Chark. Don’t sleep on Thomas starting at some point soon. Bartch also was a sneaky good pick to develop at tackle as a Cam Robinson contingency. Luton was a worthy flyer with nothing behind Gardner Minshew.
14. Denver Broncos
Draft picks: WR Jerry Jeudy, WR K.J. Hamler, CB Michael Ojemudia, G/C Lloyd Cushenberry, DT McTelvin Agim, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, OLB Justin Strnad, G Netane Muti, WR Tyrie Cleveland, DE Derrek Tuszka
The Broncos did a good job of addressing needs for John Elway and Vic Fangio, taking advantage of volume. Jeudy, Ojemudia and Cushenberry stand out as their best picks. That said, they probably overloaded on offensive skill too much hoping to lift Drew Lock vs. putting a higher priority on defense. Hamler and Okwuegbunam were interesting picks of luxury for a team that couldn’t afford it, considering it already has DaeSean Hamilton and Noah Fant.
15. New York Jets
Draft picks: OT Mekhi Becton, WR Denzel Mims, S Ashtyn Davis, DE Jabari Zuniga, RB La’Mical Perine, QB James Morgan, OT Cameron Clark, CB Bryce Hall, P Braden Mann
The Jets did well for themselves early back to back with Becton and Mims, perfect fits for their offense. Their best picks after that were Zuniga and Hall, good values for defensive needs. Davis was a reach and Morgan was a wasted pick. Perine is someone to watch behind Le’Veon Bell.
16. Los Angeles Rams
Draft picks: RB Cam Akers, WR Van Jefferson, OLB Terrell Lewis, S Terrell Burgess, TE Brycen Hopkins, S Jordan Fuller, LB Clay Johnston, K Sam Sloman, G Tremayne Anchrum
The Rams got their replacements for Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks and Dante Fowler Jr. right off the bat. Lewis was the best pick of the three, but Akers and Jefferson have good opportunities to improve on their college production. Hopkins was a steal later for some depth. There was no early linebacker to help replace Cory LIttleton, but Burgess can be useful in coverage. Les Snead and Sean McVay finish right in the middle.
17. Indianapolis Colts
Draft picks: WR Michael Pittman Jr., RB Jonathan Taylor, S Julian Blackmon, QB Jacob Eason, G Danny Pinter, DT Robert Windsor, CB Isiah Rodgers, WR Dezmon Patmon, LB Jordan Glasgow
The Colts did well to address needs with Chris Ballard as Pittman will work out nicely at wide receiver. Trading up for Taylor was just OK, given Dobbins was on the board. There’s not too much immediate impact elsewhere as they try to rebound with Philip Rivers. Eason was the best pick after Pittman as a big-armed passer to groom behind Rivers, given his surprise fall.
18. New Orleans Saints
Draft picks: G/C Cesar Ruiz, LB Zack Baun, TE Adam Trautman, QB Tommy Stevens
The Saints ended up with little volume and didn’t get a true quarterback, just another Taysom Hil after trading back in at the end. But Mickey Loomis got the best interior offensive lineman in Ruiz and hit a home run with stealing Baun to replace A.J. Klein and also help their pass rush. Trautman can be a special receiving talent for them but with jared Cook in the mix, but like Ruiz, may not see a prominent role until 2021 when Drew Brees may or may not be back. The talent is promising, but the type of drafting didn’t total mesh with New Orleans’ all in to win position in the NFC.
19. New England Patriots
Draft picks: S Kyle Dugger, DE/OLB Josh Uche, DE/OLB Anfernee Jennings, TE Devin Asiasi, TE Dalton Keene, K Justin Rohrwasser, G Michael Owenu, OT Justin Herron, LB Cassh Malula, C Dustin Woodard
The Patriots always start with a high floor because of Bill Belichick’s
ability to know when to stockpile picks. Defensively, they loaded up on ideal versatile players in Dugger, Uche and Jennings for needs. Overhauling tight end made sense, but maybe not as much in terms of trading up and taking those two players vs. others at the position. Rohrwasser was absolutely needed for the kicking game. One can’t ignore, however, the lack of a quarterback to compete with Jarrett Stidham.
DeCOURCY: Bill Belichick keeps everyone guessing again with draft strategy
20. Miami Dolphins
Draft picks: QB Tua Tagovailoa, OT Austin Jackson, CB Noah Igbinoghene, G/C Robert Hunt, DT Raekwon Davis, S Brandon Jones, G Solomon Kindley, DE Jason Strowbridge, DE/OLB Curtis Weaver, LS Blake Ferguson, WR Malcolm Perry, LAST GUY
The Dolphins get high marks for volume and sticking with Tagovailoa as their future franchise passer. After
early stumbling reaches with Jackson, Igbinoghene and Hunt, Davis was their next best pick. Weaver can be a steal as he should have gone in the second round. Ferguson is a big boost to their special teams. But it’s strange how they addressed running back by trading for Breida to pair with Jordan Howard and not getting any wide receivers.
21. Atlanta Falcons
Draft picks: CB A.J. Terrell, DL Marlon Davidson, G/C Matt Hennessy, LB Mykal Walker, S Jaylinn Hawkins, P Sterling Hofrichter
Thomas Dimtiroff didn’t waste time addressing the big cornerback need with Terrell, and Davidson was a good versatile pass rusher for their defensive front. Hennessy was a good option to upgrade left guard this year or replace Alex Mack at center next year.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
Draft picks: WR Chase Claypool, OLB Alex Highsmith, RB Anthony McFarland Jr., G Kevin Dotson, S Antoine Brooks Jr., DT Carlos Davis
Kevin Colbert
had an interesting draft as the team didn’t really prioritize key needs at defensive tackle (not taking one until Davis) and running back. Claypool is an intriguing hybrid, but was more of a luxury pick given they have JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and James Washington. Highsmith was a third edge rusher they couldn’t resist. McFarland is more of pace-changer instead of a back able to carry a full load to replace James Conner.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Draft picks: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LB Willie Gay Jr., OT Lucas Niang, CB L’Jarius Snead, DE Mike Danna, CB Thakarius Keyes
Edwards-Helaire was a
beautiful luxury pick for Andy Reid, Brett Veach and the reigning Super Bowl champions. But Gay is the only other potential immediate impact player. Call out the Chiefs a little for not considering wide receiver and defensive tackle for 2021 contract contingencies and taking a long time before addressing cornerback.
24. Detroit Lions
Draft picks: CB Jeff Okudah, RB De’Andre Swift, DE/LB Julian Okwara, G Jonah Jackson, G Logan Stenberg, WR Quintez Cephus, RB Jason Huntley, DT John Penisini, DT Jashon Cornell
Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia started with a bang in Okudah, and their best picks after that related to biggest need and value were Okwara and Jackson. They weren’t in a position to take Swift as a luxury pick and possible upgrade to oft-injured but talented Kerryon Johnson. They could have done more to consider the defense at linebacker and tackle vs. doubling up on guard after getting Jackson.
25. Washington Redskins
Draft picks: DE Chase Young, WR Antonio Gibson, OT Saahdiq Charles, WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, C Keith Ismael, LB Khaleke Hudson, S Kamren Curl, DE James Smith-Williams
Young will be a superstar and was a no-brainer for Kyle Smith and Ron Rivera. Although Gibson and Gandy-Golden can be dynamic, it’s unsure how they’ll mesh with their QB situation in Scott Turner’s offense and may have been speed-based reaches. The Redskins should have considered more defensive players earlier and didn’t address a big need at tight end.
26. Los Angeles Chargers
Draft picks: QB Justin Herbert, ILB Kenneth Murray, RB Joshua Kelley, WR Joe Reed, S Alohi Gilman, WR K.J. Hill
Herbert was a boom-or-bust start for Tom Telesco, making Murray the surefire better first-rounder for them. Gllman was an OK flyer late, but Reed (a return man too) and Hill didn’t make a lot of sense, also at a position of depth. They should have gone for a back to replace Melvin Gordon to complement Austin Ekeler earlier than Kelley. The biggest deduction by far comes from not addressing one of the league’s worst offensive tackle situations for a rookie QB.
27. Chicago Bears
Draft picks: TE Cole Kmet, CB Jaylon Johnson, DE Trevis Gipson, CB Kindle Vildor, WR Darnell Mooney, G Arlington Hambright, OT Lachavious Simmons
The Bears
did their best without a first-rounder. Kmet is a nice player and they like deploying multiple tight ends for Matt Nagy, but it was a bit of a luxury pick for them. Johnson was their best pick to address cornerback depth behind Kyle Fuller. Gipson and Vlldor were OK, but overall there wasn’t much value with their limited draft.
28. Houston Texans
Draft picks: DT Ross Blacklock, DE/OLB Jonathan Greenard, OT Charlie Heck, CB John Reid, WR Isaiah Coulter
File Bill O’Brien as another handcuffed decision-maker with little draft capital. Blacklock was a strong pick to replace D.J. Reader, but they missed out on a lot of value at various points of the draft beyond that. Houston has had a few problems with this offseason, hasn’t it?
29. Seattle Seahawks
Draft picks: LB Jordyn Brooks, DE Darrell Taylor, G Damien Lewis, TE Colby Parkinson, RB DeeJay Dallas, DE Alton Robinson, WR Freddie Swain, TE Stephen Sullivan
Here we go again with John Schneider going way
outside of the box in the first round with Brooks being the latest version of Rashaad Penny and L.J. Collier. Brooks was a major reach defensively, and offensively the Seahawks missed several better values for the offensive line, backfield and receiving corps. By far Taylor and Robinson were their best picks, so at least it’s good they addressed their massive need on the edge pass rush.
30. Philadelphia Eagles
Draft picks: WR Jalen Reagor, QB Jalen Hurts, LB Davion Taylor, S K’Von Wallace, OT Jack Driscoll, WR John Hightower, LB Shaun Bradley, WR Quez Watkins, OT Prince Tega Wanogho, OLB Casey Toohill
Howie Roseman was able to recover from the
back-to-back weird reaches on the Jalens, but the haul was very disappointing for a contender, despite the volume. Hurts made no sense for them as costly insurance behind Carson Wentz. Taylor, Bradley and Toohill doesn’t inspire in helping their one big defensive weakness. The three best picks were Driscoll, Hightower and Wanogho, who all should have gone earlier. There wasn’t much diversity in the positions, filled with flyers more than real short-term contributors beyond Reagor.
30. Las Vegas Raiders
Draft picks: WR Henry Ruggs III, CB Damon Arnette, RB/WR Lynn Bowden, WR Bryan Edwards, LB/S Tanner Muse, G John Simpson, CB Amik Robertson
The sequel to the amazing Raiders draft of 2019 didn’t happen for Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock, as they might have been
a little too obsessed in trying to get an explosive offense to suddenly match the Chiefs and getting Clemson players (Muse, Simpson) after getting much better picks in Clelin Ferrell and Travyon Mullen last year. Ruggs and Edwards were fine picks; everything else was bad, including a major reach for Arnette and an absolute throwaway pick in the gadget player Bowden.
32. Green Bay Packers
Draft picks: QB Jordan Love, RB A.J. Dillon, TE Josiah Deguara, LB Kamal Martin, G Jon Runyan, C Jake Hanson, OT Simon Stepaniak, S Vernon Scott, DE/OLB Jonathan Garvin
Last and least, where to begin with this
whiff of a class for Brian Gutekunst? After working so hard to build a 13-3 Super Bowl contender with Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur last year, Green Bay drafted too much for future years. Love, Dillon, Deguara all won’t help them win more games in 2020. Martin and Garvin were the best picks in relation to what they needed. They should have considered offensive tackle earlier and it was absolutely shocking to not add a wide receiver to support Rodgers. Heck, a defensive lineman for their 3-4 front even would have been nice. The Vikings, Cowboys, Buccaneers, 49ers and Saints all did much better as NFC contenders in relation, too.
