With the dust settled on the NFL’s first virtual draft, here are my grades for each pick from the first round. These are just my initial thoughts on each pick and only time will tell which of these players prove to be significant to their respective franchises in years to come. I hope you enjoy.
1. Cincinnati Bengals – QB Joe Burrow, LSU
Grade: A+
This grade is an easy one. The Bengals needed a quarterback for the future and they got one here with the best player in the class in Joe Burrow. There is still more work to be done on this roster but it will be interesting to see how much success he can bring in his first season in a competitive AFC North.
2. Washington Redskins – EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State
Grade: A+
Another easy one here. Young was the best defensive player in the draft and arguably the most NFL ready prospect to come out in 2020. He should hit the ground running in Washington and make an immediate impact.
3. Detroit Lions – CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State
Grade: A+
In an ideal world the Lions would have traded down here, but it sounds like were no willing trade partners so I can’t grade this pick down on that basis. In Okudah they selected the best cornerback in the class and he will be a perfect fit in Matt Patricia’s man coverage heavy defensive scheme.
4. New York Giants – OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
Grade: A
This is another scenario where trading down would have been the ideal move but the Giants gott a great tackle here. Thomas is superb in the running game and should help to get the most out of Saquon Barkley, but I feel like Jedrick Wills would have been a more natural fit. With Nate Solder at left tackle, they will have to move Thomas over to the right side and taking a natural right tackle who was arguably the best in the class would have been my preferred option here.
5. Miami Dolphins – QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Grade: A+
I would have given this pick an A+++ if it were possible. To take perhaps the most naturally gifted quarterback in the class without trading up and giving up draft capital in the process was brilliant for the Dolphins. Tua does come with some injury concerns, but if there is any position that is worth gambling on it is quarterback.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Grade: C+
Taking Herbert at No. 6 was a real reach and considering that the Chargers had the option to trade up for Tua or take Cam Newton or Jameis Winston in free agency, it makes the pick even worse. Herbert showed at Oregon that he is capable of making NFL throws, but his inconsistency and low floor don’t merit such a high draft pick.
7. Carolina Panthers – IDL Derrick Brown, Auburn
Grade: B-
This is a classic case of failing to account for value. Brown is good player and one of the safest choices in the draft, but a run-stuffing lineman does not add value in the same way that other positions do. Considering they passed on Isaiah Simmons with their needs at linebacker, I’m lukewarm about this pick.
8. Arizona Cardinals – LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Grade: A+
The Cardinals reaped the rewards of Carolina’s pick here. They could have addressed their offensive line but they did so on day two with Josh Jones, one of the draft’s biggest steals. The Cardinals needed help all across their defense and they got one of the most versatile players in the draft here. A really great pick.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – C.J. Henderson, Florida
Grade: B+
Henderson is a raw prospect but has real potential. Behind Okudah he was one of the best man-cover corners in this class and whilst he will need to work on certain aspects of his game to be successful in the NFL, the Jaguars have helped address their main need going into the draft with this pick.
10. Cleveland Browns – OT Jedrick Wills, Alabama
Grade: A+
Cleveland needed a replacement for Greg Robinson and they got the best tackle in the class without needing to trade up. Although they will need to switch Wills to the left side, his experience as Tua’s blindside protector at Alabama should translate nicely. He allowed just one sack in his college career and should help to keep Baker Mayfield off the turf in 2020.
11. New York Jets – OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
Grade: C+
I was not as enamoured with Becton as some and whilst he has un-coachable athletic traits that you don’t expect from a big guy, he still has a long way to go to become a top-tier NFL tackle. His PFF grade in true pass sets was just 64.7 in 2019 and he was never asked to do much in that regard in Lousville’s run-heavy offense. Best encapsulates the idea of a high reward but high risk pick.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – WR Henry Ruggs, Alabama
Grade: B+
The Raiders got the receiving option they desperately needed but it is difficult not to see Ruggs as a reach here. He was some way off the two top receivers in the class and his relatively limited experience in college make it more surprising. This seems like something straight out of the Al Davis playbook, drafting the fastest receiver available rather than the most well-rounded.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
Grade: A
The Bucs needed an offensive tackle going into the draft and they got a great one here in Wirfs. He will help fill their hole at right tackle and he brings real athleticism to the position. They did well to grab one of the top three tackles and this far into the first round.
14. San Francisco 49ers – IDL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Grade: A
This wasn’t the flashiest pick and the 49ers could have taken one of the top two receivers still on the board, but Kinlaw is a fantastic player with great pass-rushing potential. To ship Deforest Buckner and get a younger, cheaper alternative at no extra cost is a real win here and will ensure their offensive line stays dominant.
15. Denver Broncos – WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Grade: A+
Denver needed to give Drew Lock more receiving options and they couldn’t have done any better than drafting the best receiver in the class. He can win from the slot or from the outside and the fact that they managed to snag him without trading up makes this pick even better.
16. Atlanta Falcons – CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson
Grade: B-
The Falcons needed to add a corner but taking Terrell at No. 16 looks like a bit of a reach, particularly given some of the other corners still on the board at this point. Terrell showed some real potential at Clemson but his performance against Ja’Marr Chase in the National Championship game is a bit of a concern.
17. Dallas Cowboys – WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Grade: A+
Wide receiver may not have topped the list of Cowboys needs but then again they never expected Lamb to still be on the board at No. 17. Some will say they should have prioritised their secondary, but this is one of those scenarios where a team could not pass on a player with Lamb’s talent. Right now they look to have the best receiving corps in the NFL.
18. Miami Dolphins – OT Austin Jackson, USC
Grade: D
The Dolphins needed a tackle but Jackson is some way off being a first round talent. Considering Josh Jones was still on the board at this point, it makes the pick even more confusing. Jackson is young and has the potential to be a solid player but he is a developmental project and you just don’t take project tackles in the first round.
19. Las Vegas Raiders – CB Damon Arnette, Ohio State
Grade: D
Another reach here and perhaps the worst pick in the first round. Arnette was not even in my top ten cornerback prospects, let alone being anywhere near a first round talent. He comes with a bunch of off-field concerns, which might be forgiven had his tape had been better. He was never anything more than average at Ohio State and given his age (he will turn 24 before the season starts) and his lacklustre speed, it is difficult to see what Gruden and Mayock were thinking here.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars – EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Grade: C
Jacksonville took another project player here and there is certainly merit to the pick. Chaisson never really produced to a high level in college but he undoubtedly has high upside. His athleticism and performance against good college tackles will bring hope, but unless he can turn this into consistent production there isn’t much there to write home about.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
Grade: A
The Eagles got the receiver they needed here. Reagor has elite deep speed and will give Carson Wentz a genuine downfield weapon to stretch defenses with. He put up good numbers in college despite erratic quarterback play and should thrive in a more stable setup in the NFL.
22. Minnesota Vikings – WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Grade: B-
Jefferson is not a bad player, but the Vikings needed to replace their deep threat in Stefon Diggs and that isn’t what they are getting here. Jefferson was very productive from the slot in 2019 but hasn’t been entirely convincing when asked to win outside the numbers. Any help would be appreciated in Minnesota given their paucity of receiving options, but a slot receiver who can struggle to create separation is not what they need.
23. Los Angeles Chargers – LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Grade: C-
This pick wouldn’t have been so bad in the second round but to trade up for Murray when Patrick Queen was still on the board was baffling. Murray is a good downhill runner with great sideline-to-sideline speed, but doesn’t offer much in coverage and that is where the value is in the modern NFL.
24. New Orleans Saints – IOL Cesar Ruiz, LSU
Grade: B
This was a bit of a surprising pick but Ruiz is a really solid lineman who can help to future-proof this roster. He will likely move over to guard at the Saints where he is unproven, but he is a great pass-protector with speed and athleticism. With Larry Warford entering the final year of his contract, this pick makes sense.
25. San Francisco 49ers – WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
Grade: A-
Kyle Shanahan reportedly had Aiyuk as his top receiver in the class so you can understand him moving up here. He averaged 10.9 yards after the catch in 2019 and will be a great fit in Shanahan’s offense. The price for trading up was relatively low and it allowed them to grab one of the most electric receivers in the class so you can’t knock this pick too much.
26. Green Bay Packers – QB Jordan Love, Utah State
Grade: C
Given the needs elsewhere on their roster and the fact that Aaron Rodgers is under contract for another four years, this pick was a real surprise. Love is the epitome of a high-ceiling/low-floor prospect and will benefit from having time to sit and learn behind Rodgers. I understand the value in taking a quarterback given the potential upside if the pick goes well, but they definitely did not need to trade up to get him.
27. Seattle Seahawks – LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
Grade: D
Another odd pick here. Brooks is a good run-stuffing linebacker but is not a first round talent and is nowhere near as accomplished as Patrick Queen, who was still on the board at this point. He offers very little in coverage too and just being good against the run just doesn’t move the needle enough in the NFL these days.
28. Baltimore Ravens – LB Patrick Queen, LSU
Grade: A+
The first round could not really have gone any better for the Ravens. To get Queen without trading up was a real steal and he will immediately help to improve their defense. Queen has great burst and sideline-to-sideline speed and along with CeeDee Lamb is one of the steals of the first round for me.
29. Tennessee Titans – OT Isaiah Wilson, Georgia
Grade: D
Much like the Dolphins with Austin Jackson, the Titans took a project offensive tackle here, despite there being more polished and more productive options still available. The big worry with Wilson is his lack of agility to play in space, meaning he will probably have to kick inside to guard at the next level. Not great value for a first round pick.
30. Miami Dolphins – CB Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
Grade: B
Whilst Igbinoghene isn’t the most polished cornerback prospect, he fits well with Miami’s man-heavy defensive scheme. He does tend to get a little grabby at the moment and his technique could use some work, but he has great athleticism and burst to stick with players downfield and should be comfortable playing in the slot in the NFL.
31. Minnesota Vikings – CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
Grade: A
This is a great fit. Gladney has excellent speed and quick feet, and his experience playing quarters coverage at TCU will translate well to Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme. The fact that they managed to trade down and still get the perfect fit at corner makes this pick even better.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
Grade: C-
Edwards-Helaire is a good player but this was not good value for a first round pick. The Chiefs have shown that they can make their offense work without a household name at running back and could have addressed this position later in the draft. The carries they will feel obliged to give Edwards-Helaire will take away from their downfield passing game and could slow down the most explosive offense in the NFL. The failure to address more valuable positions of need here made this pick even worse.
