Re-ranking the 2020 NFL Draft class: Who are the top 5 players at each position?

The 2020 NFL Draft made, and broke, a lot of people.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers all found starting quarterbacks who are still with their original teams (and, for the most part, are playing well). The Detroit Lions passed on a quarterback, instead drafting Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah. A year later, GM Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia were fired. The New York Giants skipped that fruitful QB derby, too, because of Dave Gettleman’s decision to select Daniel Jones a year prior. New York’s selection (Andrew Thomas) is working out, but Gettleman was gone by the start of 2022.

Several players from that class — Justin Jefferson being the latest example — have just hit big-money extensions, while a few others are already on their third teams. Taking into account what we now know about every prospect on the board, let’s go back and re-stack the 2020 class, position by position.

Who are the best players to come out of that draft?

2020 order: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (Round 1-pick 1); Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (1-5); Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (1-6); Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (1-26); Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (2-53).

Fascinating group. Burrow and Hurts each has been to a Super Bowl — and Herbert has a better EPA/attempt number than both of them. Love’s EPA, meanwhile, is the best of anyone in the class, and Tagovailoa’s awakening under Mike McDaniel has been terrific to watch. This is a really tough one to re-stack.

Even though Burrow’s health is a potential caveat here, I’m sticking with him at No. 1 based on the fact he’s still the most accurate passer in this group (by a bit) and, when right, can get it done in any system or situation. I’m also very excited to see what Jim Harbaugh can do for Herbert — he’s going to help Herbert become a better football player. On that, I have zero doubt.

If we do this again in a year, Love might be two spots higher. Same time, I’m not about to start betting against Hurts.

Tagovailoa was the toughest evaluation for me back in 2020 and remains so today. Nobody in this class gets rid of the ball faster, and Tagovailoa’s work in the pocket when he’s not pressured is surgical. I wind up thinking about Tagovailoa similarly to how I think about Jared Goff — a very good passer who can lead a team anywhere it wants to go, but who needs a good (not average) O-line and run game with reliable weapons. The offense will make him as much as he’ll make it go. That’s not the case with Burrow, Herbert or, possibly in time, Love.

2020 order: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs (1-32), D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (2-35); Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (2-41); Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams (2-52); J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens (2-55).

The Chiefs were coming off a championship and looking for a specific fit when they selected Edwards-Helaire, who had 55 catches playing with Burrow his final year at LSU. Swift had productive stretches with Detroit and one good year with Philadelphia, though durability — and that he’s never rushed behind anything less than a great O-line — limits his value. Dillon is a less line-dependent player with better durability.

The biggest knocks coming out on the clear prize of this group, Taylor, were ball security and an inability to do anything on third down. He’s lost six fumbles but also caught a combined 125 passes while rushing for 4,660 yards in four NFL seasons.

2020 order: Henry Ruggs, Las Vegas Raiders (1-12); Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos (1-15); CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (1-17); Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles (1-22); Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (1-22).

If we re-drafted the whole thing, would Jefferson go No. 1 over Burrow and Herbert? No matter where you land on that question, Jefferson is in the books as the steal of the 2020 draft at No. 22.

Perhaps the lesson from evaluating the 2020 receiver class is to always let the tape be your guide — Jeudy and Ruggs had outstanding combines and pro-day workouts (the Nick Saban-Alabama PR machine didn’t hurt); Lamb was ultra-productive in college; I have no explanation for Reagor over Jefferson (and assume Eagles GM Howie Roseman doesn’t either).

Jefferson? He was very good at literally everything. Some got lost in the numbers on a few other prospects and allowed themselves to be convinced Jefferson’s value was heavily tied to Burrow. But if we go back, put blinders on and just watch the tape, we’d probably all see what Jefferson’s showing us today.

2020 order: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (2-43), Devin Asiasi, New England Patriots (3-91); Josiah Deguara, Green Bay Packers (3-94); Dalton Keene, New England Patriots (3-101); Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints (3-105).

Even though he’d had just one super-productive season at Notre Dame, most people believed Kmet was going to be a good player for two reasons: 1. He was barely 21 with almost no wear on the tires; 2. He was (and is) just a massive man. Kmet was not a polished blocker coming out, but he was so big (6-foot-5, 262 pounds, 33-inch arms) and explosive that it just felt like a matter of time. Now, he’s a very sturdy three-down starter in Chicago.

Five tight ends went in the top 105 picks in 2020. If anyone was slept on a bit, it might’ve been Trautman. A small-school player at Dayton, Trautman is a terrific all-around athlete (6.78-second three cone, 4.27 short shuttle) who transitioned from WR to TE in college. He’s back with Sean Payton in Denver now — keep an eye on this one moving forward.

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Revisiting Dane Brugler’s initial 2024 NFL Draft top 50 board

2020 order: Robert Hunt, Miami Dolpins (2-39); Damien Lewis, Seattle Seahawks (3-69); Jonah Jackson, Detroit Lions (3-75); Tyre Phillips, Baltimore Ravens (3-106); John Simpson, Las Vegas Raiders (4-109)

Hunt was our top-ranked guard in 2020, then OG1 in the draft — and he’s backed it up for four years, culminating in a huge free-agent contract with Carolina.

Things get much tighter after that, and the next few years with this group could be really interesting. The Rams now have both Nos. 2 and 3 on this list, after trading for (and recently extending) Dotson and signing Jackson. It’ll all depend on health, but the interior trio of Dotson, Steve Avila and Jackson could be pretty great.

2020 order: Andrew Thomas, New York Giants (1-4); Jedrick Wills Jr., Cleveland Browns (1-10); Mekhi Becton, New York Jets (1-11); Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-13); Austin Jackson, Miami Dolphins (1-18).

Dominant at right tackle his first two seasons, Wirfs moved over to the left side after Year 3 and actually got a little better as a run blocker. For my money, Wirfs and Penei Sewell are the NFL’s top two tackles under 25 years old. Thomas’ debut season with the Giants was rocky but his response has been outstanding — he’s had Pro Bowl-level stretches, when healthy.

Onwenu is one of my favorite linemen in the league. A college guard for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, he was a terrific run-blocking tackle as a rookie in New England and has spent time at both guard and tackle since. He’s a tough, massive, quick-footed powerhouse. And Becton? He’s with Jeff Stoutland now. It’d be foolish to give up on the 6-7, 364-pounder, despite the injury issues.

Wills is a tough one, as his follow-ups to a pretty great rookie season have been average to disappointing. We’ll see if he turns that around before he hits free agency in 2025.

2020 order: Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints (1-24); Matt Hennessy, Atlanta Falcons (3-78); Lloyd Cushenberry, Denver Broncos (3-83); Tyler Biadasz, Dallas Cowboys (4-146); Keith Ismael, Washington Commanders (5-156).

It’s been a steady climb for Cushenberry, one of the few bright spots during some rather awkward Denver years. The former LSU standout was our top-ranked center entering the draft and a steal in the third for the Broncos. He just got a sizable deal from the Titans and is rather head and shoulders above the rest here.

Dallas moved on from Biadasz, who grabbed $30 million from Washington and has been a solid (though not dominant) presence inside for four years. Ruiz’s flexibility between center and guard, along with his athleticism, will continue to give him opportunities. Frankly, though, he hasn’t been great yet at either inside spot for the Saints.

The guy to watch here could be Hennessy, who looked like he was coming on before injuries got in the way. If he can stay healthy, he could be a terrific add for Philadelphia.

2020 order: Chase Young, Washington Commanders (1-2); K’Lavon Chaisson, Jacksonville Jaguars (1-20); Yetur Gross-Matos, Carolina Panthers (2-38); Darrell Taylor, Seattle Seahawks (2-48); A.J. Epenesa, Buffalo Bills (2-54).

A lot of changes here, from what’s been a very interesting edge class to monitor. Many viewed Young as a can’t-miss prospect prior to the draft, and though injuries haven’t helped, his best win rate for a season is the 14.7 percent he had in 2023. He’s still an awesome athlete, but nothing about his presence has been dominant or consistent.

Highsmith, meantime, was a college walk-on whose game is equal parts effort and quickness. He’s delivered 31.5 sacks and 186 pressures so far in Pittsburgh, far outperforming his third-round slot. Ditto for Huff, who has a near-20 percent career win rate (career high 25.6 in 2022) and is probably the best pure pass rusher in this group. Greenard, a third-round pick, just signed a four-year, $76 million deal with the Vikings.

Epenesa has an argument to be ranked top five based on everything he can give from a run-pass standpoint, but Danna — lost in the wash on a talented Michigan team in 2019 — has been consistent and versatile as a twitchy utility knife up front in Kansas City.

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2020 order: Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers (1-7); Javon Kinlaw, San Francisco 49ers (1-14); Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens (3-71); DaVon Hamilton, Jacksonville Jaguars (3-73); Neville Gallimore, Dallas Cowboys (3-82).

Madubuike is basically the definition of a Baltimore Ravens draft pick. He had every physical trait a DT could need when the Ravens found him in the third round, just without the consistency. His first two seasons were mostly developmental. He’s exploded over the last year and a half, producing 18.5 sacks since 2022 (13 last year) and becoming one of football’s premier pocket pushers. Just a terrific example of scouting, planning, development and work ethic.

Brown was DT1 in 2020, both in pre-draft rankings and the actual draft itself. He hasn’t had an explosive sack season yet, but he is up to 138 combined pressures over four years. He needs help.

Injuries and inconsistency have been an issue for Kinlaw, who did have a 36-pressure, 3.5-sack season last year before moving to the Jets. If anyone could make a move up this list, it’s him.

2020 order: Isaiah Simmons, Arizona Cardinals (1-8); Kenneth Murray, Los Angeles Chargers (1-23); Jordyn Brooks, Seattle Seahawks (1-27); Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens (1-28); Willie Gay, Kansas City Chiefs (2-63).

Four first-round linebackers? Goodness. To be fair, one (Simmons) was a hybrid, but still. Would any of them go in the first round if we did it over again?

Simmons’ combo of athleticism and body composition remains incredibly special, and he’s going to continue to get chances to settle in at LB after playing mostly safety and corner in college.

Queen has been the most impactful defender in the box, both versus the run and providing pass pressure. If anyone has earned that slot, it’s probably him. The best value of the 2020 draft was Cincinnati snagging Logan Wilson in the third round. Wilson has been a good run defender and gotten better each year with the Bengals, earning an extension last summer.

2020 order: Jeff Okudah, Detroit Lions (1-3); C.J. Henderson, Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9), A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons (1-16); Damon Arnette, Las Vegas Raiders (1-19); Noah Igbinoghene, Miami Dolpins (1-30)

Some pretty brutal picks. Okudah busted in Detroit, Jacksonville traded Henderson after a year, and Arnette is now out of the league due to legal troubles. Same time, there were some very good corners in this class, including Terrell, who has been consistent and steady in Atlanta.

Jaylon Johnson’s 2023 Pro Bowl campaign with Chicago was outstanding, perhaps the best individual year by any CB in this class to date. Sneed also has an argument for the top spot, as he’s been more consistent outside over the long haul. Johnson’s a younger player, though — he just turned 25 in April.

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2020 order: Xavier McKinney, New York Giants (2-36); Kyle Dugger, New England Patriots (2-37); Grant Delpit, Cleveland Browns (2-44), Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-45); Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers (2-64).

Pretty good safety group here, including two guys (Winfield and McKinney) who were arguably first-round values taken in the second. Every guy on this list had a productive 2023 season — and that doesn’t include Washington’s Kamren Curl, Minnesota’s Josh Metellus or Los Angeles’ Jordan Fuller, all of whom have had good stretches as pros.

It’s hard to argue with New York’s original decision to take McKinney over Winfield, although the Giants’ handling of McKinney’s free agency left plenty to be desired. The only knocks on Winfield coming out were height and length. He was a four-year college starter with football in his blood — sometimes, the safest player is the best player.

(Photos of Justin Herbert, CeeDee Lamb and Joe Burrow: Getty; Harry How, Wesley Hitt, Cooper Neill / Getty Images)