Who Won the 2020 NFL Draft? Full Picks, Results, and Team Review
Trust Signals
Author: Football SEO Content Strategist
Reviewed: July 3, 2026
Research Method: Official NFL Draft Tracker, NFL.com event pages, and official Heisman records were used for factual checks.
Primary Sources Used: Official NFL schedule guide, official Round 1 tracker, official Round 7 tracker, official virtual draft article, and official Heisman profile.
Introduction
The 2020 NFL Draft still creates debate because many fans remember the top picks but forget the full story. The problem is simple: quick lists do not explain why teams made each move. That creates confusion, weak takeaways, and missed lessons. This guide solves that with clear results, team context, first-round picks, key storylines, and useful answers in one place.
What Was the 2020 NFL Draft?
The 2020 NFL Draft was the NFL’s annual player selection event for college prospects entering the league. It ran across seven rounds and gave all 32 teams a chance to add young talent based on record, trades, and team needs. The NFL schedule listed Round 1 for April 23, Rounds 2–3 for April 24, and Rounds 4–7 for April 25.
The event is remembered for two big reasons. First, Joe Burrow went No. 1 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. Second, the format became fully virtual during the early COVID period, making it one of the most unusual draft events in league history.
Fast Facts Table
| Detail | Answer |
| Event | 2020 NFL Draft |
| Rounds | 7 |
| Total picks | 255 |
| First pick | Joe Burrow, QB, LSU |
| No. 1 team | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Mr. Irrelevant | Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia |
| Main quarterback names | Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts |
| Best-known skill players | Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Jonathan Taylor, Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins |
The official NFL tracker shows Tae Crowder as pick No. 255, making him the final selection of the class.
Complete First-Round Picks
The 2020 NFL Draft first round shaped several franchises. The table below follows the official NFL Draft Tracker for Round 1 selections.
| 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 | C.J. 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 | EDGE | 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 |
Why Joe Burrow Was the Clear No. 1 Pick
Joe Burrow became the cleanest quarterback answer in the class because his final college season gave Cincinnati both production and direction. The official Heisman profile credits Burrow with 4,715 passing yards, 48 passing touchdowns, and a 77.9 completion rate in 2019.
The Bengals needed a new face for the franchise. Burrow fit that need and also gave the team a natural reset after a hard season.
Quarterback Class Review
The 2020 NFL Draft is easy to remember through its quarterbacks. Burrow, Tagovailoa, Herbert, Love, and Hurts all became major search topics because each one carried a different type of risk.
Burrow was the polished leader. Tagovailoa had special timing and touch but entered the league with medical questions. Herbert had size, arm talent, and movement skills. Love was a long-term traits pick. Hurts was a second-round value who later changed the way many fans look at quarterback development.
Best Wide Receiver Value
The receiver group became one of the strongest parts of the class. Justin Jefferson at No. 22 stands out because Minnesota found a high-value target after the Stefon Diggs trade. The official Round 1 tracker lists Jefferson as the 22nd pick and shows Buffalo’s pick moving to Minnesota.
CeeDee Lamb also gave Dallas major value at No. 17. Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr., and Darnell Mooney added depth to the wide receiver conversation.
Team Winners From the 2020 NFL Draft
Several teams improved their roster direction.
| Team | Best Move | Why It Mattered |
| Bengals | Joe Burrow at No. 1 | Gave the franchise a clear quarterback plan |
| Chargers | Justin Herbert at No. 6 | Solved a long-term quarterback need |
| Vikings | Justin Jefferson at No. 22 | Turned a traded receiver asset into a new star target |
| Cowboys | CeeDee Lamb at No. 17 | Added top pass-game value without forcing a need |
| Buccaneers | Tristan Wirfs at No. 13 | Helped protect a win-now offense |
| Ravens | Patrick Queen and depth picks | Added speed and defense-first value |
The lesson is simple. The best drafts did not just chase names. They matched talent, need, timing, and scheme.
Risky Picks and Missed Value
Every draft has misses. The 2020 NFL Draft had several early picks that later looked risky because of fit, health, off-field issues, or slower development.
That does not always mean the team made a careless choice. Draft rooms work with incomplete information. A player can have strong college tape and still fail to become the right professional fit.
Best Value Picks Outside Round 1
A pillar page should not stop with Round 1. Day 2 and Day 3 often decide whether a class becomes average or great.
Strong value names from this class include Jalen Hurts, Tee Higgins, Jonathan Taylor, Antoine Winfield Jr., Michael Pittman Jr., Jeremy Chinn, and Kam Curl. These picks show why scouts must balance athletic traits, production, role fit, and character.
Trades and Draft Capital
The 2020 NFL Draft also showed how past trades can shape the board. Miami entered with major draft capital from earlier deals. Minnesota used the pick connected to the Diggs trade on Jefferson. Green Bay moved for Love, creating one of the biggest talking points of the night.
Draft capital is not only about how many picks a team owns. It is about turning picks into players who fit a clear plan.
Position Trends That Mattered
Teams valued premium positions early. Quarterback, offensive tackle, edge rusher, cornerback, and wide receiver all carried heavy first-round attention.
That trend makes sense. These positions affect passing, pass protection, pressure, and coverage. In modern NFL roster building, those areas often decide close games.
How This Draft Changed Team-Building Lessons
The 2020 NFL Draft teaches three lasting lessons. First, quarterback fit matters as much as quarterback talent. Second, wide receiver value can be found after the top ten. Third, teams should not ignore clean offensive line prospects.
It also shows that draft grades need time. A grade on draft night is only a first reaction. A real review should include role, coaching, injuries, contract value, and long-term team direction.
Topical Cluster Map for Topical Authority
Use this pillar page as the main hub. Then build supporting pages that answer smaller searches in more detail.
| Cluster Page Topic | Search Intent | Suggested Internal Link Anchor | Suggested URL |
| Full first-round results | Informational | 2020 NFL first-round picks | /2020-nfl-first-round-picks/ |
| Joe Burrow draft profile | Player research | Joe Burrow draft profile | /joe-burrow-draft-profile/ |
| Justin Herbert draft review | Player research | Justin Herbert draft review | /justin-herbert-draft-review/ |
| Best wide receivers from 2020 | Comparison | best 2020 draft wide receivers | /2020-draft-wide-receivers/ |
| Best value picks | Informational | best value picks from 2020 | /2020-nfl-draft-value-picks/ |
| Team winners and losers | Commercial/informational | 2020 draft winners and losers | /2020-draft-winners-losers/ |
| Quarterbacks ranked | Comparison | 2020 quarterback class ranked | /2020-quarterback-class-ranked/ |
| Day 2 draft steals | Informational | best Day 2 steals | /2020-nfl-day-2-steals/ |
| Draft trade breakdown | Informational | biggest draft trades | /2020-nfl-draft-trades/ |
| Re-draft article | High CTR | 2020 NFL re-draft | /2020-nfl-redraft/ |
Entities and Semantic Keywords to Include
Use these entities naturally across the cluster: NFL, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, LSU, Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State, Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Tristan Wirfs, Chase Young, NFL Draft Tracker, first-round picks, draft order, quarterback class, wide receiver class, rookie class, team needs, draft capital, trade value, scouting report, prospect grade, and roster building.
Helpful Answer Section
Question: Who was the best pick in the 2020 NFL Draft?
Answer: Justin Jefferson is one of the strongest answers because Minnesota found elite wide receiver value at No. 22, but Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert also carry strong cases because quarterbacks change franchise direction.
Question: Which team had the best draft?
Answer: The Chargers, Vikings, Cowboys, Bengals, and Buccaneers all have strong arguments. The best answer depends on whether you value quarterback impact, first-round value, or total class depth.
Question: Why does this draft still matter?
Answer: It still matters because it changed several team timelines and shaped the way fans judge quarterback development, receiver value, and draft-night trades.
FAQs
Who was the first pick?
Joe Burrow was the first pick. The Cincinnati Bengals selected the LSU quarterback at No. 1 overall after his huge college season.
How many players were selected?
There were 255 total selections. The class ended with Tae Crowder at pick No. 255.
Which quarterbacks were drafted early?
Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Jordan Love were first-round quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts went in Round 2.
Who was the best wide receiver pick?
Justin Jefferson is the top answer for many fans because he went 22nd overall and quickly became the face of Minnesota’s receiver room. CeeDee Lamb was also a major value pick.
Was the event held in person?
No. The event used a remote format, which made it one of the most unique draft nights in NFL history.
What is the biggest lesson from this class?
The biggest lesson is that draft value depends on fit, not only talent. The right player in the right system can beat a higher-ranked player in the wrong plan.
Final Thoughts
The 2020 NFL Draft remains one of the most useful classes to study because it combines star quarterbacks, wide receiver value, bold trades, and clear team-building lessons. For fans, it is a full story of hope, risk, and long-term planning. For publishers, it is a strong pillar topic that can support many internal links, player profiles, team reviews, and comparison articles.
