Who Was Picked in the 2020 NFL Draft? Full Results
2020 NFL Draft: Complete Results, Picks and Grades
Draft season brings a familiar headache: dozens of mock drafts, conflicting grades, and no single place that lays out exactly what happened. Fans searching for straight facts often end up scrolling through ten different pages just to confirm one pick. This guide fixes that. Below you’ll find the full 2020 NFL Draft order, every notable trade, team-by-team grades, and the five-quarterback class that changed the league for good.
The 2020 NFL Draft remains one of the most talked-about draft classes in modern NFL history. Held during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, it produced a historic run of quarterbacks, a wave of Pro Bowl-caliber receivers, and several trades that still shape front-office strategy today. Whether you’re a fantasy football manager, a die-hard fan, or a researcher building a case study, this page covers everything worth knowing about the 2020 NFL Draft.
What Made the 2020 NFL Draft Different
The 2020 NFL Draft was scheduled to be a glamorous, in-person event in Las Vegas, complete with a red-carpet stage floating on the Bellagio fountains. COVID-19 canceled those plans in mid-March 2020, forcing the league into uncharted territory.
Every general manager, coach, and scout worked from home. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the first three rounds from his basement in Bronxville, New York, using a laptop and a home internet connection. NFL Network and ESPN broadcast split-screen reaction shots of team war rooms, giving fans an unfiltered look at draft night for the first time.
Despite the remote setup, the broadcast reportedly drew record viewership, and the draft itself ran smoothly. It became a proof of concept that a major sports event could function entirely online — a lesson that carried into the rest of the pandemic-altered 2020 NFL season.
2020 NFL Draft Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 23–25, 2020 |
| Location | Fully virtual (originally planned for Las Vegas) |
| Total picks | 255 players across 7 rounds |
| First overall pick | Joe Burrow, QB, LSU (Cincinnati Bengals) |
| Commissioner | Roger Goodell |
| Quarterbacks selected | 12 total, 5 became playoff starters |
| Most first-round picks (team) | Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders (3 each) |
| Draft format | Rounds 1–3 on Day 1, Rounds 4–7 on Days 2–3 |
2020 NFL Draft First-Round Order: Every Pick
The 2020 NFL Draft is best remembered for its opening round, where five future playoff-starting quarterbacks came off the board and multiple teams pulled off aggressive trades. Here is the complete first-round breakdown.
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU |
| 2 | Washington | 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 | 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 (via SF trade) | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa |
| 14 | San Francisco 49ers (via TB trade) | 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 (via PIT trade) | Austin Jackson | OT | USC |
| 19 | Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI trade) | Damon Arnette | CB | Ohio State |
| 20 | Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR trade) | K’Lavon Chaisson | Edge | LSU |
| 21 | Philadelphia Eagles | Jalen Reagor | WR | TCU |
| 22 | Minnesota Vikings (via BUF trade) | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU |
| 23 | Los Angeles Chargers (via NE trade) | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma |
| 24 | New Orleans Saints | Cesar Ruiz | C/G | Michigan |
| 25 | San Francisco 49ers (via MIN trade) | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State |
| 26 | Green Bay Packers (via HOU/MIA trade) | 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 (via GB trade) | Noah Igbinoghene | CB | Auburn |
| 31 | Minnesota Vikings (via SF trade) | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU |
| 32 | Kansas City Chiefs | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | LSU |
How the Historic QB Class Shaped the League
No single storyline defines the 2020 NFL Draft more than its quarterback class. Five passers taken that April went on to start playoff games: Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, and Jalen Hurts.
Burrow reached the Super Bowl first, leading Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI. Hurts, drafted in the second round by Philadelphia, later became the first Super Bowl winner from the class, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LIX. Herbert and Tagovailoa both developed into franchise centerpieces, while Love eventually took over Green Bay’s starting job after years learning behind Aaron Rodgers.
This kind of quarterback depth is rare. Most draft classes produce one or two long-term starters at the position. The 2020 NFL Draft produced five, which is a major reason analysts still rank it among the most quarterback-rich classes of the last two decades.
Biggest Trades of the 2020 NFL Draft
Trade activity defined draft weekend just as much as the picks themselves. Teams moved aggressively to target specific prospects, reshaping draft boards in real time.
- Buffalo to Minnesota: The Bills sent their first-round pick plus additional selections to acquire receiver Stefon Diggs before the draft, letting Minnesota select Justin Jefferson at No. 22.
- San Francisco’s double move: The 49ers flipped pick 13 to Tampa Bay for pick 14 plus an extra fourth-rounder, then used a separate trade with Minnesota to move up and grab Brandon Aiyuk at No. 25.
- Green Bay’s quarterback trade-up: The Packers traded up to No. 26 to select Jordan Love, a surprising move given Aaron Rodgers was still in his prime.
- Jacksonville’s Ramsey return: The Rams’ first-round pick, sent to Jacksonville in the earlier Jalen Ramsey trade, became the No. 20 selection used on K’Lavon Chaisson.
- New England to Los Angeles Chargers: New England moved back from pick 23, and the Chargers used it on linebacker Kenneth Murray.
2020 NFL Draft Grades by Team (Snapshot)
Grading a draft class immediately after selection is always an educated guess, but early evaluations from league analysts pointed to a handful of clear winners.
- Dallas Cowboys – A: Getting CeeDee Lamb at pick 17 was viewed as tremendous value for a receiver many expected to go in the top 10.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – A: Landing CJ Henderson at No. 9 and K’Lavon Chaisson at No. 20 gave the Jaguars two potential difference-makers on defense.
- Kansas City Chiefs – A-: Adding Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the end of Round 1 filled a clear need in the backfield for the reigning champions.
- Detroit Lions – A: Jeff Okudah addressed a glaring hole at cornerback after the team traded away Darius Slay earlier that offseason.
- Seattle Seahawks – Mixed: The selection of Jordyn Brooks at No. 27 drew criticism for reaching well beyond his consensus draft position.
Draft Class by Position: Full Breakdown
Positional trends in the 2020 NFL Draft reflected the NFL’s continued shift toward speed, spacing, and complementary pass rushers. Linebackers and wide receivers led all position groups in total selections.
| Position | Total Selected |
|---|---|
| Linebacker | 38 |
| Wide Receiver | 35 |
| Cornerback | 27 |
| Defensive Tackle | 20 |
| Offensive Tackle | 20 |
| Safety | 20 |
| Offensive Guard | 18 |
| Running Back | 18 |
| Defensive End | 13 |
| Quarterback | 12 |
| Tight End | 9 |
| Center | 3 |
Alabama’s Historic First-Round Run
Alabama sent four offensive players into the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (No. 5), tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (No. 10), receiver Henry Ruggs III (No. 12), and receiver Jerry Jeudy (No. 15). That matched a feat only USC had accomplished before, in 1968, making it one of the rarest single-school outcomes in modern draft history.
Jeudy and Ruggs also became one of the few wide receiver duos from the same college drafted in the same first round, underscoring how deep Alabama’s roster was heading into that offseason.
Steals, Surprises, and Value Picks
Every draft produces a handful of players who outperform their draft slot. From the 2020 class, a few names stand out as genuine value picks:
- Justin Jefferson (No. 22): Widely considered one of the best value selections of the decade, given how quickly he developed into an elite receiver.
- Cesar Ruiz (No. 24): New Orleans landed a versatile interior lineman who has started well over 80 career games.
- CeeDee Lamb (No. 17): A top-10 talent by most public rankings who slipped to the middle of Round 1.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (No. 32): A pass-catching back who stepped into an immediate offensive role for Kansas City.
Why the 2020 NFL Draft Still Matters Today
Years later, the 2020 NFL Draft continues to influence roster-building conversations across the league. Front offices frequently reference this class when discussing quarterback evaluation, since it proved that even a passer who slides into the second round — like Jalen Hurts — can eventually win a championship. It also reinforced how valuable trading back into Round 1 can be, as Green Bay’s move for Jordan Love and Minnesota’s selection of Justin Jefferson both show.
For fans and analysts building long-term power rankings, the 2020 NFL Draft is now treated as a benchmark class: one that combined quarterback depth, receiver talent, and trade drama in a single, unforgettable weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 NFL Draft
1. Who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft? The Cincinnati Bengals selected LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall pick. Burrow had just won the Heisman Trophy and led LSU to a national championship the previous season.
2. How many quarterbacks were drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft? Twelve quarterbacks were selected across all seven rounds, and five of them — Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, and Jalen Hurts — went on to start in the playoffs.
3. Why was the 2020 NFL Draft held virtually? The COVID-19 pandemic forced the NFL to cancel its planned in-person event in Las Vegas. Team facilities were closed, so every executive, coach, and scout participated from home using video conferencing tools.
4. Which team had the most picks in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft? The Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders each held three first-round selections, giving both teams outsized influence over how the opening round played out.
5. Who was considered the best value pick in the 2020 NFL Draft? Justin Jefferson, taken 22nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings, is widely viewed as one of the best value picks in recent draft history given his rapid rise into one of the NFL’s top receivers.
6. How many total players were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft? A total of 255 players were selected across seven rounds, covering every position from quarterback to long snapper.
Final Thoughts
The 2020 NFL Draft blended historic quarterback depth, blockbuster trades, and a once-in-a-lifetime virtual format into one of the most memorable draft classes in recent memory. From Joe Burrow’s rise to Justin Jefferson’s breakout, the ripple effects of this draft are still shaping the NFL today. If you’re tracking rosters, building a fantasy strategy, or simply love draft history, bookmark this page and check back as more of these careers continue to unfold.
Sources: NFL.com, ESPN, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Wikipedia (2020 NFL Draft), and team media reports were used to verify picks, trades, and draft-day details referenced in this guide.
