The NFL draft experience in 2020 was nothing like in years past. Due to the world pandemic, the draft went virtual for the first time. Surprisingly, it went off without a hitch. Almost 16 million people tuned into the draft’s first round this year, smashing records across the board. NFL teams were operating on all cylinders during all rounds of the draft filling their teams needs, to make a run at dethroning the world champion Kansas City Chiefs. From questionable picks to home run steals, here are the draft’s 3 winners and 3 losers:
Quick Disclaimer: Since I have already wrote about the Giants in the last article, they will not be included in this list
Winner: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens great history of drafting under Ozzie Newsome has continued under GM Eric DeCosta. After this past season’s playoff disappointment, the Ravens went into the draft trying to fill needs that might just help them get over the hump. One new addition is of course the LSU linebacker Patrick Queen. Queen is the most complete linebacker in this draft class, and if you watch the film he can get in the backfield in a heartbeat. His 12 tackles for loss was a key catalyst in LSU’s undefeated season. Not only did the Ravens ace this pick, but they also got some steals in the later rounds. Ohio State RB Jk Dobbins was an absolute steal in the second round, and he may be their running back of the future. Justin Madibuke fills a huge need for the Ravens up the middle, and Malik Harrison can be a three down linebacker alongside Queen. Ben Bredeson from Michigan has the potential to replace the now retired Marshal Yanda at right guard, James Proche from SMU was a good steal in the sixth round that has strong potential for development. However, watch out for WR Devin Duvernay who is probably the best Ravens pick outside of Queen. He has top end speed, and has great game tape in college (see LSU game). He is going to be a dynamic weapon for reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. The Ravens did had a strong showing in this draft, one that might just help them make it to the grandest stage in football.
Draft class grade: A+
Loser: Green Bay Packers
The first of the flurry of horrendous picks startedI when they traded up for Utah State QB Jordan Love. Most scouts and experts thought Love was not even a first round prospect after a horrendous senior year at Utah State. Why would the Packers take a QB when Aaron Rodgers is at the helm, a quarterback who will likely be an all-time great when it is all said and done? The Packers were one game away from the Super Bowl last year, and drafted ZERO receivers to help out Davante Adams who has been under constant pressure to make plays without a running mate to take the load off. Additionally, they also had a hole at linebacker since Blake Martinez signed with the Giants, one that was not addressed during this draft. While some scouts might disagree, I am not a fan of the AJ Dillon pick. Dillon was a beast at running back for Boston College, but his physical running style does not bode well for the rest of his career as a running back’s career is shorter nowadays. I did like the Jon Runyan pick from Michigan. He can develop into a solid starter for them. The Packers did nothing in this draft to help their Super Bowl chances, and Aaron Rodgers may be out the door in 2021, with Love waiting to take over. This draft was horrrendous and if I was Rodgers right now, I would be enraged.
Draft class grade: D
Winner: Denver Broncos
The Broncos did everything they could in this draft to help second year QB Drew Lock succeed. They also want to compete with the Chiefs in the division. They got some receiving help in Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy at pick number 15 in the first round. Some thought Jeudy was the top receiver in the class, and he was number one on the Broncos draft board. He will be a great compliment to Pro Bowl receiver Courtland Sutton. Elway did not stop there with getting Lock new weapons. He drafted Penn State’s speedy wideout KJ Hamlerin the second round. A wide out who can blow the top off of any defense. Also, drafting OL Lloyd Cushenberry from LSU was a huge pick in the third round for the Broncos and fills their need at center. Cushenberry was the anchor of that LSU offensive line during their undefeated title run. Drafting and reuniting Lock with his college TE Albert Okwuegbunam was a steal in the fourth round as well, giving Lock yet another weapon. CB Michael Ojemudia out of Iowa has got to be someone to keep an eye on. He is a tall, fast corner who can fit well in Broncos coach Vic Fangio’s defense. He could wind up being a valuable piece for the already great Broncos defense. Elway aced this draft, and put the Broncos in a position to compete for a playoff spot.
Draft Class grade: A
Loser: Chicago Bears
Look, the Bears had a host of problems that needed to be adressed going into this draft. They have gaping holes along the offensive line, receiving corps, and the secondary. While they did not have many picks to work with, they also did not do a good job of addressing their needs with the picks they had. They had 9 TEs going into the draft, and decided to make it 10 by drafting Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet. Kmet was the consensus top TE in the draft, but the Bears could have drafted a
top corner or a safety here, a much more impactful pick. They did address corner later however by drafting Utah’s Jaylon Johnson, which was a good pick even with Johnson's injury history. Edge rusher Trevis Gibson, and receiver Darnell Moody were reaches as well that could have been taken at later picks. In a make or break season in Chicago, the draft was not a good start.
Draft class grade: C-
Winner: Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals finally got their franchise QB Joe Burrow, and while it was the worst kept secret in football, it was still a great pick. However, the Bengals had a great draft outside of just Burrow. Drafting Clemson wideout Tee Higgins in the second round was a good pick in an effort to give Burrow weapons to work with on offense. Higgins is great at winning contested catches, and getting down the field in a hurry. I also liked the Bengals picking Wyoming linebacker Logan Wilson in the third round. He can contribute from day one, and fills a need for the Bengals. Tackle Hakeem Adenji from Kansas gives the Bengals a developmental tackle, who has the potential to grow into a blocker that can protect Burrow for years to come. All in all, the Bengals took a step in the right direction to get back to relevance in the NFL.
Draft class grade: A-
Loser: Philadelphia Eagles
Like the Packers, the Eagles confused many people by drafting a QB. The Eagles drafted QB Jalen Hurts of Oklahoma when they already have their franchise guy Carson Wentz on the roster. Wentz is injury prone, but you do not invest in a QB in the second round to be a backup. Hurts is a great player, and maybe Doug Pederson wants to put Hurts in a Taysom Hill type role. Still, they could have filled other needs on the roster. I do like the Jalen Reagor pick, the receiver out of TCU. He is faster than his 4.42 time at the combine. However, I would have taken LSU receiver Justin Jefferson instead, who was taken one pick later by the Minnesota Vikings. Davion Taylor the LB out of Colorado was a reach pick, and the Eagles could have taken a corner in the third round instead of Taylor. K’Von Wallace, safety out of Clemson was a very solid pick up and fills the void Malcolm Jenkins left. The Eagles draft class is going to depend on the Jalen Hurts pick, and the Reagor pick. They could have gotten better talent in those rounds and they could have been much smarter with their selections, overall.
Draft class grade: C+
In collaboration with guest editor: Ismail Sy