After months of mock drafts and analysis, the 2020 NFL Draft is finally here. So, what does it mean for your favorite team and your fantasy football squad? Read below, as this roll-up will include rapid reactions from our fantasy writers as well as takes from the media in general.
While you follow us for the fantasy impact of each pick as it’s made, tune into our YouTube channel for our live stream with Mike Tagliere and Kyle Yates as they provide full coverage of the entire first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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No. 1 – Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow (QB)
This was never in doubt. Burrow, coming off arguably the greatest college football season of all time, has been meeting weekly with the Bengals since mid-March. The 23-year-old LSU product is a little bit older than most elite quarterback prospects, but his 2019 production is impossible to argue with. Burrow led his team to a 15-0 record and a national championship, tossing 60 touchdown passes (!!) against just six interceptions. Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus described him as “easily the most accurate college QB we’ve ever scouted”. The 6’4”, 221-pound specimen walks into an underrated offensive environment in Cincinnati. Led by Sean McVay disciple Zac Taylor, Burrow will be surrounded by fellow playmakers A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon. He could wind up flirting with low-end QB1 fantasy numbers as a rookie this year.
No. 2 – Washington – Chase Young (DE)
Washington will add a player many consider to be the top overall talent in the 2020 NFL Draft in Chase Young. An explosive edge rusher who can win with power and speed, Young will add to what was already an intimidating front four. Young projects as an immediate DE1 in IDP leagues.
No. 3 – Detroit Lions – Jeff Okudah (CB)
The Lions were rumored to be entertaining offers for the No. 3 overall pick right up until the start of the draft, but Okudah was the expected pick all along if they ended up keeping the pick. After dealing Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles a few weeks ago, their need at the position was obvious. Okudah will step in as a Day 1 starter at cornerback in Detroit.
No. 4 – New York Giants – Andrew Thomas (OL)
There was some pre-draft speculation that the Giants could trade out of this spot, but GM Dave Gettleman has famously never traded down in his career. Tackle was the obvious need for New York but with such little clarity on who the top lineman was in this year’s class it remained a mystery who the Giants would select. They settled on Thomas, who will immediately start at right tackle and could eventually replace Nate Solder on Daniel Jones’ blind side. The Giants’ offense seems to be on the rise and could be a sneaky source of fantasy value in 2020.
No. 5 – Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa (QB)
The Miami Dolphins finally land a franchise signal caller. Viewed by some as the top overall quarterback talent in the 2020 NFL Draft, Miami was able to steal him at fifth overall. His injury history is a concern, but a healthy Tua is a major coup for the Miami Dolphins. Tua is expected to redshirt his rookie season, but will boast QB1 upside from 2021 on. He is someone to draft and stash in dynasty leagues.
No. 6 – Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert (QB)
After letting Philip Rivers leave in free agency, the Chargers praised quarterback Tyrod Taylor and expressed their confidence in him as a starter. Not many people bought that, and the general consensus was that they would take a quarterback in the draft and might even trade up in the first round to get one. Instead, they stay at No. 6 grab Herbert after Joe Burrow went at No. 1 to the Bengals and Tua Tagovailoa went at No. 5 to the Dolphins. Herbert will be given a chance to earn the starting job in training camp but will have to prove he is ready in order to overtake Taylor in his first year.
No. 7 – Carolina Panthers – Derrick Brown (DL)
Brown, a dominant interior lineman out of Auburn, is capable of playing all three downs and excels against both the run and the pass. The 21-year-old didn’t miss a tackle all year and will now spearhead Carolina’s defensive front. The Panthers spent most of free agency adding to an exciting offense. Now the defensive rebuild begins with this selection of Brown.
No. 8 – Arizona Cardinals – Isaiah Simmons (LB)
Isaiah Simmons is a wonderful fit for the Arizona Cardinals. He can play safety, linebacker, slot corner, and can even line up on the edge to rush the passer. It will be interesting to see what position he starts at, but many believe he has the most upside as a safety who is allowed to roam the field like Derwin James. Simmons projects as a DB1 or LB2 in IDP leagues.
No. 9 – Jacksonville Jaguars – C.J. Henderson (CB)
Henderson is considered by many to be the second-best cornerback in the draft after Jeff Okudah, with a dropoff in talent after these top two. The Jaguars don’t wait around and get their Jalen Ramsey replacement in the first round of the draft.
No. 10 – Cleveland Browns – Jedrick Wills (OL)
It was clear last season that the Browns needed help along the offensive line. Sophomore quarterback Baker Mayfield simply didn’t have the protection he needed to go through his reads. Combined with the atrocity of Freddie Kitchens’ play calling, this led to a massively disappointing 2019 season. Wills fills a huge need, however, and instantly bolsters a unit that will be asked to carry the load in new coach Kevin Stefanski’s zone-running scheme.
No. 11 – New York Jets – Mekhi Becton (OL)
Viewed by many as the offensive tackle with the most upside in the 2020 NFL Draft, Mekhi Becton was both the best player available, and the player who filled the Jets biggest need. Becton represents an immediate upgrade to the Jets running game, and should become a dominant pass blocker with time. New York hit a home run with this pick.
No. 12 – Las Vegas Raiders – Henry Ruggs III (WR)
Many draft analysts expected either Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb to be the first wide receiver off the board, but there was always the possibility that Ruggs could shoot up the board because of his elite speed. Ruggs instantly becomes one of the fastest players in the NFL and is a weapon for Jon Gruden’s offense as he and general manager Mike Mayock continue to rebuild the Raiders in their vision.
No. 13 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via the San Francisco 49ers) – Tristan Wirfs (OL)
Wirfs is a 6’5”, 320-pound beast of a man out of Iowa. Tampa Bay has had a busy off-season and is currently in “win-now” mode following the additions of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. Per Pro Football Focus, Wirfs allowed just 40 quarterback pressures on 1,138 career pass-block snaps. The Buccaneers figure to once again be a very fantasy relevant offense in 2020.
No. 14 – San Francisco 49ers (via the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Javon Kinlaw (DL)
The 49ers have fortified their defensive front with the selection of Javon Kinlaw. They traded stud defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for the 13th overall pick, and were able to flip that to Tampa Bay, picking up a fourth round pick for moving down just one spot, and then land Javon Kinlaw, a prospect many had rated as a top 10 overall talent in the 2020 NFL Draft class. This is a serious coup for the 49ers who were able to land a player that they likely thought would not be available at 13th (or 14th overall). A havoc creator with an explosive first step, Kinlaw projects to receive immediate starter snaps as a rookie. Kinlaw profiles as a future DT1 in IDP leagues.
No. 15 – Denver Broncos – Jerry Jeudy (WR)
In what has to be considered a best-case scenario for the Denver Broncos, Jeudy falls to him at No. 15 overall. With the Raiders taking Henry Ruggs at No. 12, the Broncos are able to get a wideout in Jeudy who gives them an outstanding complement to Courtland Sutton.
No. 16 – Atlanta Falcons – A.J. Terrell (CB)
This was a major need for Atlanta and Terrell will likely become a day-one starter on the Falcons’ struggling defense. The former five-star recruit is a taller cornerback with long arms and uses his length to his advantage. There were reports of Atlanta trying to trade up for Florida corner C.J. Henderson but that never came to pass. Instead, they settle for Terrell out of Clemson.
No. 17 – Dallas Cowboys – CeeDee Lamb (WR)
Somehow, some way, the Dallas Cowboys had a receiver they discussed trading up for fall in their laps. Despite much bigger needs at other positions, CeeDee Lamb proved too tempting to pass up at 17th overall. The Dallas Cowboys now have one of the deadliest wide receiver trios in the entire NFL. Dallas is not the ideal spot for his immediate fantasy value, and he may be more of a WR3/4 option as a rookie.
No. 18 – Miami Dolphins – Austin Jackson (OL)
After taking Tua Tagovailoa at No. 5 overall, the Dolphins went out and got him some protection at No. 18 in Jackson. With a run on offensive tackles in the first round, the Dolphins end up taking the fifth offensive tackle already in the first 18 picks.
No. 19 – Las Vegas Raiders – Damon Arnette (CB)
Many will consider this a reach for Las Vegas but cornerback has been a longtime weakness for this franchise and it was clearly time to address it. GM Mike Mayock showed last year with the selection of Clelin Ferrell that he wasn’t afraid to be bold. The former Ohio State defensive back plays aggressively, which is certainly appealing to coach Jon Gruden.
No. 20 – Jacksonville Jaguars – K’Lavon Chaisson (LB)
The Jacksonville Jaguars have made out like bandits in the first round. They landed C.J. Henderson, the draft’s number two corner, at ninth overall, and now land the draft’s number two edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson at 20th overall. Chaisson is an explosive speed rusher with good bend and burst who should slide into the starting lineup when Yannick Ngakoue is traded. Chaisson projects as a future DE2 in IDP leagues.
No. 21 – Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Reagor (WR)
With Justin Jefferson still on the board, many thought that he would the pick for the Eagles at No. 21. Instead, they went with the dynamic playmaker in Reagor in an attempt to inject some speed into their offense. Even if Alshon Jeffery is back with the Eagles, Reagor should immediately see playing time in 2020.
No. 22 – Minnesota Vikings – Justin Jefferson (WR)
The Vikings acquired this pick from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for Stefon Diggs this off-season, and they use it to select a replacement receiver. The 6’1”, 202-pound LSU product ran 78% of his routes out of the slot and is admittedly is a bit of an odd fit as Minnesota still has Adam Thielen on the roster. However, Jefferson is another weapon for Kirk Cousins who will function as another security blanket over the middle.
No. 23 – Los Angeles Chargers (via the New England Patriots) – Kenneth Murray (LB)
The Los Angeles Chargers raised some eyebrows by trading back into the first round, but hit a home run by selecting Kenneth Murray. An explosive sideline to sideline linebacker with a non stop motor, Murray is the answer at linebacker Los Angeles has been seeking for years. A tackle machine who can rush the passer, Murray has immediate LB1 upside in IDP leagues.
No. 24 – New Orleans Saints – Cesar Ruiz (OL)
Ruiz is widely considered one of the best interior line prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Saints grab a player who can step in and start immediately at either center or guard.
No. 25 – San Francisco 49ers (via the Minnesota Vikings) – Brandon Aiyuk (WR)
The wide receiver run continues as San Francisco takes Aiyuk out of Arizona State. The 22-year-old only runs a 4.50 but makes up for it as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. Aiyuk has a huge catch radius and also supplements his value with production in the kick return game. The knock on Aiyuk is that he needs to expand his route tree but one would think Kyle Shannahan will help scheme him open. This is ultimately a nice landing spot for his fantasy value.
No. 26 – Green Bay Packers (via the Miami Dolphins) – Jordan Love (QB)
Jordan Love is an interesting pick at 26th overall for the Green Bay Packers. Perhaps a sign that Green Bay is already thinking about life after Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love can now sit for two or more seasons before possibly supplanting the future Hall of Fame quarterback. A sensational talent who had a down year due to playing in a new offensive scheme while also down nine starters from his breakout sophomore campaign, Love will have a tremendous mentor in Rodgers. This puts a damper on Love’s dynasty league prospects, as it may now be two or three seasons before he is even considered a true option under center. The Packers have a potential out of Aaron Rodgers contract after the 2021 season.
No. 27 – Seattle Seahawks – Jordyn Brooks (LB)
Brooks is a surprise pick for the Seahawks near the back end of the first round, especially with fellow linebacker Patrick Queen still on the board. He is a big, physical, and athletic linebacker who can attack downhill but also cover in space and should immediately contribute in Seattle.
No. 28 – Baltimore Ravens – Patrick Queen (LB)
The Ravens’ roster doesn’t have many holes at the moment but linebacker was one of them. Queen, coming out of LSU, is undersized but explosive with sharp instincts. He should fit right into Baltimore’s culture of physicality as the team looks to win a Super Bowl entering year three of the Lamar Jackson era.
No. 29 – Tennessee Titans – Isaiah Wilson (OL)
Isaiah Wilson is a shrewd pick for the Tennessee Titans. He may not have been on the first round radar for some, but was constantly discussed as someone that NFL teams were higher on than the media. Wilson may start his career at guard, but projects as Jack Conklin’s eventual heir at right tackle. Strong in the run game, Wilson just needs to clean up his technique in pass protection to make the move to the outside. He will help soften the blow of losing a talent like Conklin.
No. 30 – Miami Dolphins (via the Green Bay Packers) – Noah Igbinoghene (CB)
Igbinoghene is a bit of a surprise pick for the Miami Dolphins after they signed cornerback Byron Jones in free agency to pair with Xavien Howard. As Brian Flores continues his rebuild in Miami, he now might have one of the best collections of cornerbacks in the NFL.
No. 31 – Minnesota Vikings (via the San Francisco 49ers) – Jeff Gladney (CB)
Minnesota leaves the first round addressing their two primary needs, wide receiver and cornerback. The 5’10”, 191-pound TCU product possesses quick feet and strong instincts in coverage. Additionally, he’s a strong run defender. The biggest knock on Gladney is that he might need to bulk up in order to compete with some of the bigger, more physical receivers in the NFL.
No. 32 – Kansas City Chiefs – Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire caused a stir when he started vaulting up the boards of the first running back to be selected props. He is a terrific fit for the Kansas City Chiefs as he can contribute on all three downs, and can even split out wide. It is going to be hard for any running back to find a better landing spot than the Chiefs. Edwards-Helaire will likely start coming off the board as the first running back in some rookie drafts, and should be considered an RB2 with RB1 upside in redraft leagues. What a night.