The 2020 NFL Draft remains one of the most pivotal events in modern professional football history, serving as both a cultural milestone and a massive infusion of talent into the league. Conducted entirely virtually due to the global pandemic, the draft saw 32 prospects selected in the opening round, headlined by a legendary quarterback class and an unprecedented depth of wide receiver talent.
From the Cincinnati Bengals’ selection of Joe Burrow at number one to the Kansas City Chiefs’ closing the round with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the 2020 first round reshaped the trajectories of multiple franchises. Looking back from 2026, the impact of these selections is fully evident, with several players becoming the faces of the league while others served as cautionary tales regarding positional value and injury risk.
The Virtual Draft: A Historical Context
Before analyzing the picks, it is essential to acknowledge the unique circumstances of April 23, 2020. With the world in lockdown, the NFL abandoned its planned lavish production in Las Vegas for a "Draft from Home" format. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced picks from his basement in Westchester, New York, while coaches and General Managers operated from home offices.
Despite the technical hurdles, the 2020 NFL Draft broke viewership records. It provided a starved sports public with its first major event in months. This "virtual" element added a layer of humanization to the process, as fans saw the living rooms of top prospects and the makeshift "war rooms" of legendary coaches like Bill Belichick.
2020 NFL Draft First Round: Complete Results Table
The following table provides the definitive list of all 32 players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, including their original drafting team and collegiate program.
| Pick | NFL Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU |
| 2 | Washington Commanders* | Chase Young | DE | Ohio State |
| 3 | Detroit Lions | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State |
| 4 | New York Giants | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia |
| 5 | Miami Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama |
| 6 | Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon |
| 7 | Carolina Panthers | Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn |
| 8 | Arizona Cardinals | Isaiah Simmons | LB/S | Clemson |
| 9 | Jacksonville Jaguars | CJ Henderson | CB | Florida |
| 10 | Cleveland Browns | Jedrick Wills Jr. | OT | Alabama |
| 11 | New York Jets | Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville |
| 12 | Las Vegas Raiders | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama |
| 13 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa |
| 14 | San Francisco 49ers | Javon Kinlaw | DT | South Carolina |
| 15 | Denver Broncos | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama |
| 16 | Atlanta Falcons | A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson |
| 17 | Dallas Cowboys | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma |
| 18 | Miami Dolphins | Austin Jackson | OT | USC |
| 19 | Las Vegas Raiders | Damon Arnette | CB | Ohio State |
| 20 | Jacksonville Jaguars | K'Lavon Chaisson | DE | LSU |
| 21 | Philadelphia Eagles | Jalen Reagor | WR | TCU |
| 22 | Minnesota Vikings | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU |
| 23 | Los Angeles Chargers | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma |
| 24 | New Orleans Saints | Cesar Ruiz | C | Michigan |
| 25 | San Francisco 49ers | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State |
| 26 | Green Bay Packers | Jordan Love | QB | Utah State |
| 27 | Seattle Seahawks | Jordyn Brooks | LB | Texas Tech |
| 28 | Baltimore Ravens | Patrick Queen | LB | LSU |
| 29 | Tennessee Titans | Isaiah Wilson | OT | Georgia |
| 30 | Miami Dolphins | Noah Igbinoghene | CB | Auburn |
| 31 | Minnesota Vikings | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU |
| 32 | Kansas City Chiefs | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | LSU |
*Note: At the time of the draft, the Washington franchise was known as the Washington Redskins; they have since transitioned to the Commanders.
The Quarterback Revolution: A Tier-One Class
The 2020 draft was primarily defined by its quarterbacks. Four signal-callers were taken in the first round, and three of them—Burrow, Tagovailoa, and Herbert—were selected within the first six picks.
Joe Burrow: The Savior of Cincinnati
Joe Burrow entered the draft following what many consider the greatest single season by a college quarterback in history at LSU. The Bengals did not overthink the pick. Burrow’s impact was immediate, despite an ACL injury in his rookie year. By his second season, he had led the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI. His presence transformed Cincinnati from a perennial underdog into a legitimate AFC powerhouse. Burrow established the standard for "accuracy and processing" over "pure arm strength."
Tua Tagovailoa and the "Tank for Tua" Legacy
The Miami Dolphins’ selection of Tua Tagovailoa at number five was the culmination of a year-long narrative. Despite a devastating hip injury late in his Alabama career, the Dolphins chose Tua as the face of their rebuild. His early career was marked by debates over his durability and arm strength, but his eventual synchronization with elite speed at wide receiver proved that his "point guard" style of play could be highly effective in the modern NFL.
Justin Herbert: The Draft’s Biggest Surprise
Coming out of Oregon, Justin Herbert was frequently criticized for being "too quiet" or "lacking the alpha mentality" required for a franchise QB. The Los Angeles Chargers ignored the noise and took him at number six. Herbert proceeded to have arguably the greatest rookie season for a quarterback in NFL history. His rare combination of size, elite arm talent, and mobility quickly silenced doubters and established him as a top-tier superstar.
Jordan Love: The Long-Term Play
The Green Bay Packers shocked the world by trading up to select Jordan Love at 26. With Aaron Rodgers still playing at an MVP level, the move was widely panned. However, as viewed from 2026, the Packers followed their historic "wait and learn" blueprint (similar to the Favre-to-Rodgers transition). Love’s eventual ascent to the starting role demonstrated the organization's commitment to long-term stability over immediate gratification.
The Wide Receiver Gold Mine
The 2020 wide receiver class is often cited as one of the deepest in the history of the sport. The first round alone saw six receivers taken, with several becoming the primary targets for their respective teams.
- Henry Ruggs III (12) & Jerry Jeudy (15): These two Alabama products were the first off the board. While Jeudy provided technical route running, Ruggs’ career was tragically cut short due to off-field legal issues.
- CeeDee Lamb (17): Falling to the Dallas Cowboys at 17 was considered the "steal" of the first round. Lamb quickly became a target vacuum in Dallas, proving that elite body control and yards-after-catch (YAC) ability are more valuable than raw speed.
- Justin Jefferson (22): In hindsight, Jefferson was the premier talent of the group. Selected by the Minnesota Vikings to replace Stefon Diggs, Jefferson shattered records from his first Sunday. His selection at 22 remains a point of contention for the teams that passed on him—most notably the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Jalen Reagor (21): The Eagles selected Reagor one pick before Jefferson. This decision became a case study in "scheme fit" vs. "best player available." Reagor struggled to find a role in Philadelphia, while Jefferson became an All-Pro, highlighting the high stakes of first-round receiver evaluations.
- Brandon Aiyuk (25): The 49ers traded up for Aiyuk, valuing his wingspan and blocking ability. He became a cornerstone of Kyle Shanahan's offense, emphasizing the importance of versatility in modern systems.
Dominance in the Trenches: The Offensive Tackle Surge
The 2020 draft featured a "Big Four" at the offensive tackle position: Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills Jr., Mekhi Becton, and Tristan Wirfs. All four were selected in the top 13 picks, reflecting the league’s desperation for blindside protectors.
Tristan Wirfs (13) proved to be the most immediate success, helping lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in his rookie year. Andrew Thomas (4), after a rocky start, developed into an elite left tackle for the Giants. Jedrick Wills (10) provided stability for Cleveland, while Mekhi Becton (11) showcased Hall-of-Fame potential but struggled significantly with injury maintenance, serving as a reminder of the risks associated with "outlier" physical frames.
Biggest Takeaways and Lessons Learned
1. Positional Value vs. Rare Traits
The 2020 draft reinforced that while certain positions (QB, OT, WR) carry higher "value," rare traits can still seduce GMs. Isaiah Simmons (8) was a "positionless" defender who struggled to find a home in a traditional NFL scheme. This pick taught the league that unless a team has a specific plan for a hybrid player, traditional roles are often safer in the top 10.
2. The SEC Dominance
Of the 32 first-round picks, 15 were from the Southeastern Conference (SEC). This set a new record and solidified the SEC's reputation as a "semi-pro" league that prepares players for the speed of the NFL better than any other conference.
3. The Risk of Injury Histories
The selections of Tua Tagovailoa and Mekhi Becton highlighted the differing outcomes of drafting players with significant collegiate injuries. While Tua's hip held up, Becton's recurring knee issues hampered his development. GMs have since become even more scrutinized regarding their medical evaluations of first-round investments.
4. The "Jefferson Effect"
The success of Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb changed how teams view the "slot" receiver. Both players showed that receivers who can play inside and outside are the most dangerous weapons in an era of complex defensive sub-packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the best player in the 2020 NFL Draft first round?
While "best" is subjective, Justin Jefferson (WR, Vikings) and Joe Burrow (QB, Bengals) are the primary candidates. Jefferson set the record for most receiving yards in a player's first three seasons, while Burrow's impact on winning and the quarterback position's inherent value gives him a strong claim.
How many quarterbacks were taken in the first round of 2020?
Four quarterbacks were selected in the first round: Joe Burrow (1st), Tua Tagovailoa (5th), Justin Herbert (6th), and Jordan Love (26th). Jalen Hurts was notably taken in the second round (53rd overall), which many teams now regret.
Which team had the most first-round picks in 2020?
The Miami Dolphins held the most picks in the first round with three. They selected QB Tua Tagovailoa (5th), OT Austin Jackson (18th), and CB Noah Igbinoghene (30th).
Were there any major busts in the 2020 first round?
Isaiah Wilson (OT, Titans) is widely considered the biggest bust of the round. He played only a handful of snaps for Tennessee before off-field issues and lack of conditioning led to his release within a year of being drafted. Jeff Okudah (3rd overall) and Damon Arnette (19th overall) also failed to live up to their draft billing with their original teams.
What happened to Chase Young?
Chase Young (2nd overall) won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2020. However, a significant ACL injury in late 2021 slowed his momentum. While still a productive player, he did not immediately become the perennial All-Pro pass rusher many expected when he left Ohio State.
Final Perspective
The 2020 NFL Draft first round was a masterclass in the volatility of professional scouting. It produced generational talents like Justin Jefferson and Joe Burrow, but it also saw high-profile misses in the top 10. For franchises looking to rebuild, the lessons of 2020 remain clear: prioritize high-floor prospects at premium positions (QB, WR, OT) and be wary of "project" players who lack a defined position in a standard NFL defense. As we look at the league in 2026, the fingerprints of the 2020 class are everywhere, defining the competitive balance of the NFL.
