2020 NFL Draft: Bucky Brooks’ pick-by-pick analysis for Round 1, all 32 picks
By Bucky Brooks, NFL.com Analyst
The 2020 NFL Draft is underway! You can follow all of the picks with our NFL Draft Tracker and tune in to NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes for live coverage. The draft will also be streamed live via the NFL app and ESPN app. Below is Bucky Brooks’ analysis for every pick by every NFL team. For reference, you can see every pick from Brooks’ final NFL mock draft at Mock Draft Central.
1) Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
The Heisman Trophy winner gives the Bengals a franchise quarterback to build around. As a quick-rhythm passer with outstanding poise, accuracy and playmaking ability, Burrow plays like a pass-first point guard running a fast break in the open court with a knack for getting the ball to his playmakers in their sweet spots.
2) Chase Young, EDGE, Washington Redskins
Ron Rivera grabs the best player in the draft to fortify a defensive line that could feature five former first-round picks. Young is a natural pass rusher with A-plus size, athleticism, first-step quickness and technical skills. He gives the ‘Skins a Julius Peppers-like playmaker off the edge.
3) Jeff Okudah, CB, Detroit Lions
The Lions take a rock-solid cornerback with excellent man-to-man cover skills. He’s at his best in press coverage but displays the footwork and movement skills to shadow from afar. Okudah’s overall toughness and tackling skills will also stand out on the perimeter.
4) Andrew Thomas, OT, New York Giants
Experienced offensive tackle (41 career starts) with the potential to play on either side of the line. Thomas is a rugged blocker in the run game but also displays the balance, body control and anchor to snuff out pass rushers off the edge.
5) Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins didn’t have to tank for the QB they’ve been tied to for over a year. Tagovailoa has a game that reminds some of a young Drew Brees, with his accuracy, anticipation and touch earning high marks. He is a franchise QB with the potential to elevate the play of others with his talent and leadership skills.
6) Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Anthony Lynn wants to implement the Shanahan system with a mobile playmaker capable of thriving in a stretch-bootleg scheme. Herbert has outstanding arm talent and is a nimble athlete with the capacity to make accurate throws on the move. Playing in a play-action scheme that creates huge voids in the intermediate range should help Herbert thrive as a passer.
7) Derrick Brown, DT, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers needed to fortify the interior of their defensive line with a disruptive force at defensive tackle. Brown is an absolute monster as an interior defender with A-plus size, strength and explosiveness. He is a high-motor player with impressive run-stopping skills and pass rush potential.
8) Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Arizona Cardinals
Simmons is an electric hybrid defender capable of playing anywhere on the second level. He is a unique playmaker with impact potential as a blitzer or cover guy vs. tight ends and running backs. It will be interesting to see how the Cardinals use a multi-dimensional player with a rare set of skills and versatility.
9) CJ Henderson, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Henderson is a polished cover CB with outstanding athleticism and movement skills. He flashes natural instincts, awareness and ball skills in coverage, and is efficient in man and zone coverage. Tackling was an issue but he is arguably the best cornerback in the class.
10) Jedrick Wills, OT, Cleveland Browns
The Browns add a bully to the offensive line with the size, strength and power to maul defenders in the running game while stalemating pass rushers off the edge. Wills played RT at Alabama but his footwork and athleticism should enable him to handle the blindside without a problem as a pro.
11) Mekhi Becton, OT, New York Jets
Mammoth OT with A-plus size, athleticism and movement skills. Becton is a natural LT with explosive strength and power and a nasty disposition. He finishes runs like a nightclub bouncer throwing guys out of the club. The Louisville standout also flashes the balance and body control to effectively shadow speedy edge rushers.
12) Henry Ruggs III, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Ruggs gives the Raiders a speedster to man the vertical stretch role in the passing game. He is a spectacular runner after the catch, so he could be utilized as a WR1 despite playing as a WR2/WR3 for the Crimson Tide as a collegian. It could take him some time to adjust to the bigger role as a pro.
13) Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via 49ers)
The Bucs get Tom Brady some much-needed protection on the offensive line. Wirfs is an experienced RT but has the capacity to play multiple spots along the line. The Iowa standout is a freak athlete with outstanding agility, movement skills and explosiveness.
14) Javon Kinlaw, DT, San Francisco 49ers (via Bucs)
The 49ers get a natural replacement for DeForest Buckner. Kinlaw is a long, powerful defender with the capacity to play multiple spots along the defensive line. He is a disruptive defender with strong hands and a nonstop motor who fits the culture of the 49ers‘ defensive front.
15) Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
Jeudy gives the Broncos a polished route runner with a game that’s plug-and-play ready. He can play in the slot or outside as a potential WR1 in an offense that creates big-play opportunities for playmakers.
16) A.J. Terrell, CB, Atlanta Falcons
It was imperative for the Falcons to find a CB1 in a division that’s loaded with pass catchers. Terrell is a talented cover corner with size, athleticism and a diverse set of skills. He can play in press or off, and has the potential to move inside as a slot corner.
17) CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Mike McCarthy could see a little Davante Adams in Lamb’s game. The Oklahoma standout is an impressive playmaker with spectacular ball skills and running ability. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the field, and he gives the Cowboys a potent set of pass catchers on the perimeter.
18) Austin Jackson, OT, Miami Dolphins
A talented OT with natural left tackle skills, Jackson plays with outstanding balance, body control and lateral quickness. He has All-Pro potential from a physical standpoint but needs some time to refine his technique as an edge blocker.
19) Damon Arnette, CB, Las Vegas Raiders
Rock-solid CB with a steady game that’s better than advertised. Arnette plays with a technical savvy and discipline that’s common in veteran corners. He has the capacity to play press or off, and plays with outstanding vision as a zone defender.
20) K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars get an explosive speed rusher with outstanding first-step quickness and closing burst. Chaisson has big-time potential as a pass rusher, but he hasn’t put up the sack numbers to match his talent. He could make a major leap when he settles in as a pro.
21) Jalen Reagor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles needed a speed WR and they get one in Reagor. The TCU standout is electric with the ball in his hands, and he also displays the speed to act as a deep threat on the outside. With the Eagles looking to upgrade the weaponry around Carson Wentz, it is not a surprise to see Reagor get the call at this point of the draft.
22) Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings get one of the best route runners in the draft to replace Stefon Diggs. Jefferson is an A-plus slot receiver but also has experience playing on the outside at LSU. He should be ready to make an immediate contribution as Adam Thielen‘s running mate on the perimeter.
23) Kenneth Murray, LB, Los Angeles Chargers (via Patriots)
The Chargers wanted to add an instinctive second-level defender to the mix to match up with explosive offenses in the AFC West. Murray is a terrific sideline-to-sideline playmaker with blitz ability and solid coverage skills.
24) Cesar Ruiz, C, New Orleans Saints
Ruiz is a high-IQ pivot with solid skills as a run blocker. He doesn’t move defenders off the ball, but he holds his own at the point and effectively creates seams at the line of scrimmage. In pass protection, he understands how to use his neighbors to slow down overpowering defensive tackles and is strong enough to anchor vs. power.
25) Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers (via Vikings)
The 49ers have twin playmakers on the perimeter with Aiyuk joining Deebo Samuel. The Arizona State standout is an explosive runner with the ball in his hands and his open-field running skills make him a threat to score from anywhere on the field. With Kyle Shanahan masterfully creating big-play opportunities on catch-and-run concepts, the 49ers‘ offense is even scarier with Aiyuk coming on board.
26) Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers (via Dolphins)
With Aaron Rodgers on the back nine of his career, the Packers wisely select a young quarterback to groom as his successor. Love is not a finished product at this stage of his career but spending a few seasons working on his craft in the shadows of the two-time MVP could serve him well when he takes over down the road.
27) Jordan Brooks, LB, Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll loves instinctive players with nonstop motors and physical playing styles. Brooks is a tackling machine with the capacity to stone runners in the hole or chase them down on the perimeter. He is fast, tough and productive with a knack for shooting through gaps.
28) Patrick Queen, LB, Baltimore Ravens
The LSU standout is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker with quick diagnostic skills. He is an exceptional “see ball, get ball” defender with the speed, quickness and explosiveness to track down runners all over the field.
29) Isaiah Wilson, OT, Tennessee Titans
If you want to maul and mash, there’s nothing wrong with running behind a mammoth OT with a powerful game. Wilson is a road grader with the capacity to blow defenders off the ball and his run blocking skills should work well with the Titans‘ scheme and offensive philosophy.
30) Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Miami Dolphins (via Packers)
The pick might stand out as a surprise but Igbinoghene is an A-plus athlete with exceptional straight-line speed and quickness. He is a press-only corner with a competitive streak that shows up on tape. The Auburn standout lacks natural ball skills, but he’s ideally suited to run around in man coverage as a former track star on the grass.
31) Jeff Gladney, CB, Minnesota Vikings (via 49ers)
Mike Zimmer gets a tough, hard-nosed CB with solid instincts and awareness. He has nice movement skills and athleticism, and shows enough versatility to effectively play man and zone coverage on the perimeter.
32) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
The LSU star is a pass-catching RB with soft hands and excellent route-running skills. He is one of the best pass catchers we’ve seen in recent drafts while also showing a tough, hard-nosed game that enables him to stay on the field as a three-down running back.
