2020 NFL Draft First Round Grades

The NFL draft is officially over so here are my grades for each first-round pick. 1.) Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow, QB, LSU Grade: A+ Cincinnati did exactly what they needed to do and grabbed their franchise QB for the next 10+ years. 2.) Washington Redskins Chase Young, DE, Ohio State Grade: A+ Washington was able to grab the best player in the draft and a likely perennial All-Pro. 3.) Detroit Lions Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State Grade: A+ Detroit had a pressing need at corner and they were able to grab one of the best corner prospects in the last 5 years. 4.) New York Giants Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia Grade: A- I personally think Wills or Becton would’ve been the better selection here, but the Giants address a huge need at tackle and still grab a good one. 5.) Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama Grade: B+ Tua’s injury-prone collegiate career is the only reason this pick isn’t an A. I’m just not sure if he’s ever going to be healthy for a full season. But if he is, watch out! 6.) Los Angeles Chargers Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon Grade: C I don’t think Justin Herbert is worth a top 10 pick and I think the more pressing need was at linebacker, but the Chargers grab what they hope to be their franchise QB. 7.) Carolina Panthers Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn Grade: A Isaiah Simmons would’ve been a great selection here, especially after Luke Kuechly’s sudden retirement, but Brown is a fantastic player that will help last season’s worst run defense. 8.) Arizona Cardinals Isaiah Simmons, ILB, Clemson Grade: A I think the more pressing need is at offensive line, but Simmons is too talented to pass up here. 9.) Jacksonville Jaguars CJ Henderson, CB, Florida Grade: B+ I like Henderson, but the off-year in 2019 concerns me. I think he can be a very good NFL corner, but he still needs to work on cleaning up some college mistakes. 10.) Cleveland Browns Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama Grade: A+ The Browns addressed their biggest need and got the best tackle in the draft. Couldn’t have drawn it up any better. 11.) New York Jets Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville Grade: A The Jets have several needs, but if Sam Darnold is the future, the offensive line is the biggest one. Becton is the second-best tackle in the draft and is a monstrous human. 12.) Las Vegas Raiders Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama Grade: A- Jeudy or Lamb would’ve been the better option in my opinion, but Ruggs is really good as well. The Raiders have always coveted speed and that hasn’t seemed to change. 13.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from SF via IND) Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa Grade: B+ I’m not a huge fan of Wirfs, but Tampa Bay had to get some more protection for Tom Brady. 14.) San Francisco 49ers (from TB) Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina Grade: B+ I think Kinlaw is very talented, but consistency is his issue. One of the top receivers might have been the better pick, but replacing DeForest Buckner with another very good pass-rushing defensive tackle on a cheaper contract is a great idea. 15.) Denver Broncos Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama Grade: A+ Denver did a great job of staying where they were and still grabbing the best receiver in the draft, in my opinion. This fills a big need and gives Drew Lock more to work with. 16.) Atlanta Falcons AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson Grade: A Despite what you might’ve seen in the National Championship, Terrell is a fantastic corner. The Falcons did a great job of addressing their most pressing need with an outstanding player. 17.) Dallas Cowboys CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma Grade: B- Don’t get me wrong, Lamb is phenomenal, but receiver is not a need for Dallas. They already have Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, and they need a defensive lineman and defensive back. CeeDee Lamb’s talent is the only reason this isn’t a C. 18.) Miami Dolphins (via PIT) Austin Jackson, OT, USC Grade: A- This is a perfect pick for a team who’s rebuilding. Jackson isn’t going to be great immediately, but I think he can become an elite tackle. 19.) Las Vegas Raiders (via CHI) Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State Grade: C+ Cornerback was a huge need for the Raiders, so I’ll give them props for taking one, I’m just not sure if it’s the right one. I think Jeff Gladney, Kristian Fulton, or Jaylon Johnson would’ve been much better options, but the Raiders got their guy. 20.) Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU Grade: A Jacksonville has so many needs that it doesn’t matter what position they take. Chaisson was the best player available and can play 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end. 21.) Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU Grade: B- I understand that the Eagles were looking for speed, but with Justin Jefferson on the board, I don’t understand how you pass on him. Philly desperately needed a receiver and filled that need, so I’ll give them credit for that. 22.) Minnesota Vikings (via BUF) Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU Grade: A+ I was shocked that Jefferson fell this far. Minnesota found Stefon Diggs’ replacement in Jefferson. He played in the slot at LSU, so I’m not sure what they’ll do with Adam Thielen, but I’ll take the talent over the fit. 23.) Los Angeles Chargers (from NE) Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma Grade: B+ The Chargers needed help at linebacker and snagged a really athletic one. I think Patrick Queen would’ve been the better option, but Murray is a very good linebacker. 24.) New Orleans Saints Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan Grade: A- The Saints don’t have many needs, so they could’ve done several things here. They opted to go with a good interior offensive lineman that will likely play guard beside 2019 rookie phenom Erik McCoy. 25.) San Francisco 49ers (from MIN) Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State Grade: A- The 49ers needed a replacement for Emmanuel Sanders and Aiyuk will do nicely. I think Denzel Mims might’ve been the better pick here, but San Fran still gets a very talented pass catcher. 26.) Green Bay Packers (from MIA) Jordan Love, QB, Utah State Grade: B This is probably the best situation Jordan Love could’ve hoped for, but it’s not the best situation for the Packers. Love is not ready to start by any means, but can become elite by learning from one of the best to ever do it in Aaron Rodgers. This pick isn’t great for the Packers, who were one game away from the Super Bowl last season. Another weapon for Rodgers seemed like the obvious choice. 27.) Seattle Seahawks Jordyn Brooks, ILB, Texas Tech Grade: C- I don’t think linebacker was Seattle’s most pressing need. It seems like they should’ve gone after a pass rusher since they haven’t re-signed Jadeveon Clowney. Plus, if they’re going to go linebacker, Patrick Queen would’ve been a much better pick. 28.) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU Grade: A+ This might have been the steal of the draft. Baltimore had to get a linebacker and they got the second-best one in the draft at pick 28. 29.) Tennessee Titans Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia Grade: D+ The Titans need a tackle to replace Jack Conklin, but they need to get one that can start immediately. Wilson is big and strong but isn’t polished enough to start immediately. There were definitely better options here. 30.) Miami Dolphins (from GB) Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn Grade: C+ When you have the two highest-paid corners in the NFL on your roster, you wouldn’t think that corner is a need, but the Dolphins must’ve thought it was. I like the fit here, with Igbinoghene likely playing slot corner, but I think there were bigger needs and better available players. 31.) Minnesota Vikings (from SF) Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU Grade: A- Cornerback was probably the biggest need for the Vikings. They didn’t take one with their first pick because Justin Jefferson was surprisingly still on the board, but they took one here and aced this pick. Gladney is the best corner available for their scheme and helps them tremendously. 32.) Kansas City Chiefs Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU Grade: A- I love this pick for the Chiefs. There are more pressing needs, but if you can get a guy like Helaire to make your already elite offense even more dominant, do it. Patrick Mahomes is ecstatic.