A Look Back at the 2020 NFL Draft Results
A New Era of Football
The 2020 NFL Draft marked the beginning of a new era in football. While the draft has been around since 1936, the 2020 draft was a unique one due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This draft was held virtually, with teams and personnel working remotely from their homes. Despite the unprecedented circumstances, the draft went off without a hitch, with teams being able to make their selections and get their new players.
The First Pick
The first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft was LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals. Burrow had a stellar college career, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2019 and leading the Tigers to a national championship. He is widely considered to be the most NFL-ready quarterback in this draft class, and the Bengals are hoping he can be the face of their franchise for years to come.
Notable Picks
The second overall pick was Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, who was selected by the Washington Redskins. Young is considered to be one of the best defensive prospects in the draft, and is expected to make an immediate impact in Washington. Other notable picks include Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was taken by the Miami Dolphins, and Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who was taken by the Arizona Cardinals.
Surprises
There were a few surprises during the draft, with some teams making unexpected selections. The Pittsburgh Steelers, for example, used their first-round pick on a wide receiver, taking Virginia Tech's Diontae Johnson. The New York Giants also made a surprise pick in the second round, selecting Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker. These picks show that teams are willing to take risks in order to build their rosters.
The Big Winners
Although all teams had the opportunity to get better through the draft, some teams had more success than others. The Miami Dolphins, for example, had an excellent draft, selecting Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick and then trading up to get Alabama safety Xavier McKinney in the second round. The Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, and Arizona Cardinals also had strong drafts, as they all secured potential franchise players with their top picks.
The Big Losers
On the other hand, some teams had less success in the draft. The New York Jets, for example, had the 11th overall pick but were unable to get a franchise-defining player. They also traded away their first-round pick in 2021, which could come back to haunt them in the future. The Detroit Lions also had a disappointing draft, as they failed to address their need for a franchise quarterback.
Conclusion
Overall, the 2020 NFL Draft was a success, with teams able to make their selections and get their desired players. While some teams had more success than others, all teams had the opportunity to improve their rosters. As we look ahead to the 2021 draft, we can only hope that the draft is as successful as this one was.