2020 NFL Draft In Review, One Month Later

Here are my top draft classes, along with some questionable draft picks, from the 2020 NFL Draft reviewed one month later.

In all retrospect, the first virtual draft for the NFL played out with very little surprise, at least in the early portions of day one. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and with many pro days and/or private workouts canceled for draftable prospects before the draft, many thought there would be even more interesting selections. The general thinking was that teams would have to stick to the tape and follow their board of players based on that but with most of the pre-draft process done, it led to a pretty straight forward draft that had no major technological hiccups many were thinking it would have.

Unfortunately, the grand spectacle in the Las Vegas on-site draft had to be canceled but luckily it is heading back to Nevada in 2022; as the 2021 NFL Draft will be hosted in Cleveland, Ohio. The three-day broadcast made the most of the virtual draft, as many highlights came from Bill Belicheck’s dog to Roger Goodell announcing the picks slumped in his chair. Here are two draft classes I thought stood above the rest and some picks I disliked from the 2020 NFL Draft. I picked one for each conference, mentioning their value picks and some head-scratching picks from the first round.

Baltimore Ravens

More NFL: Ravens Trade For Marcus Peters

The best value pick, in my opinion, was Patrick Queen in the first round. Despite their many value picks, I did not peg him to the Ravens because I thought they would have had to trade up for him, as he was considered as the best linebacker in the draft by many. Pairing him with linebacker Malik Harrison, who was picked in the 3rd round, gives Baltimore a thunder-lightning combo in the inside of their stacked defense. Adding strength on strength with the additions of J.K. Dobbins (2nd round) and Justin Madubuike (3rd round) gives them depth now and starting potential in the near future. Getting more speed along with reliable hands at receiver was a big need heading into the draft but the Ravens got some in Devin Duvernay (3rd round) and James Proche (6th round). Not many drafts were better than Baltimore at addressing needs while getting value top to bottom.

Dallas Cowboys

The best value pick, in my opinion, was CeeDee Lamb in the first round. If you told me he would be picked after the top 15 near the Cowboys pick, I would not believe you. This could have been the best player available, as Lamb should not have been around where Dallas was picking and he completes one of the best receiver trios. Getting both Trevon Diggs (2nd round) and Neville Gallimore (3rd round) to fill their needs at cornerback and defensive tackle is an amazing value. Both Bradlee Anae and Reggie Robinson II could be a solid depth while Tyler Biadasz could fill the void at the starting center job if he could stay healthy. Talent-wise, Dallas nailed the draft by getting one of the better players available at each spot while addressing almost all their needs.

Questionable Picks from Round 1

Some of the later round offensive tackles and cornerbacks felt like reaches. After the Dolphins selected Tua Tagovoila at the top five, Miami addressed left tackle and cornerback with the picks of Austin Jackson and Noah Igbinoghene later in the first round. I thought they were risky players to take there, as both are high ceiling, low floor prospects that are pretty young but may need some development.

The Las Vegas Raiders selection of Henry Ruggs III makes sense that early but the Damon Arnette pick felt out of place, as he went way earlier than expected. The same can be said for A.J. Terrell to the Atlanta Falcons, as both cornerbacks will likely start for their respective teams. Isaiah Wilson makes sense for the Titans as a power running team, but he is lacking the technique to start right way at the right tackle position over Dennis Kelly, who Tennessee paid this offseason.

Kenneth Murray is a first-round caliber player but the Los Angeles Chargers gave up a pretty penny to trade up for him over other potential options. They also drafted their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert in the top ten of the draft and had other pressing needs like an offensive tackle to pair with Bryan Bulaga, which was not addressed at all.

I did not value Jordyn Brooks and Brandon Aiyuk as first-rounders but I understand that they are more scheme-specific players. The Seattle Seahawks selection of Brooks is still more puzzling since linebacker was one of their lesser needs, unlike offensive line or pass rusher. Aiyuk gives the San Francisco 49ers speed at wide receiver at the very least as another dynamic playmaker to add to their team, who also drafted Javon Kinlaw earlier in the draft.

The Packers might have had the most questionable draft class, as Jordan Love was not as bad of a pick it was made out to be. However, Green Bay needed another receiver to pair with Davante Adams and not helping Aaron Rodgers could end up hurting them later on, as they were on the cusp of the Super Bowl last year.

Even though some of the later portions of the first round were unpredictable, the first half was pretty much by the book. With so many rumors thrown around right before the draft, many thought there would be more trades but it seemed like many teams just stuck to their board on day one. The biggest nonsurprise was playoff-caliber teams getting players to fall to them as other teams reached ahead.

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Andrew Kim

Write about all things football; including the Baltimore Ravens (my favorite team), College Football, the NFL Draft, and other football related content.