2020 NFL Re-Draft: The Year of Joe, Justin and Jalen

Burrow, Herbert and Hurts were the stars of that QB class. But where would Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love have been selected? What about Justin Jefferson?

The 2020 draft will be best remembered for having at least three star quarterbacks in Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts.

Perhaps that number increases to five if Tua Tagovailoa proves he can stay healthy and Jordan Love flashes in his first season as the starter. But knowing what we know now, Hurts definitely doesn’t make it past the first round in a re-draft—he was the fifth quarterback taken, going to the Eagles in the second round.

Also, how high would wide receiver Justin Jefferson go if teams had a chance to draft all over again? The Eagles would have had the opportunity to pair Hurts with Jefferson had they taken Jefferson at No. 21 three years ago.

With this being the slow period of the NFL calendar year, we have time to revisit the 2020 NFL draft. Here’s how a re-draft would play out if we had a time machine. 

Hurts would have been the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NFL draft based off what we know now.

Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

1. Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB

Original pick: Burrow

Surprisingly, not many teams pick the right player at No. 1, but there are no regrets from the Bengals with Burrow, who’s already one of the greatest players in franchise history (make room, Ken Anderson and Anthony Muñoz). Burrow quickly established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL—many view him as top two along with Patrick Mahomes. He also lifted Cincinnati from the basement of the AFC North standings to back-to-back division titles with a Super Bowl appearance during the 2021 season. For his fast start in the NFL, Burrow will soon break the bank with a lucrative contract extension. And so will the next player on this draft list.

2. Commanders: Justin Herbert, QB

Herbert moved up four spots in our re-draft, and would have solved the Commanders' search for a franchise quarterback.

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA Today Network

Original pick: Chase Young, edge

Quick story: While covering the Chargers’ 2021 regular-season opener against the then Washington Football Team, I asked reporters in the nation’s capital if there was some sense of regret from the team and fans for selecting Young over Herbert—winners of the Defensive and Offensive Rookie of the Year awards, respectively. The answer was no, which I thought was strange because the team hasn’t had a franchise quarterback since … Kirk Cousins? Robert Griffin III? Fast forward to today, Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and Washington recently declined the fifth-year option on Chase’s rookie deal.

3. Lions: Jalen Hurts, QB

Original pick: Jeff Okudah, CB

I know, if we’re going to take this draft do-over seriously, we have to consider the Lions having Matthew Stafford at the time. After what Hurts did for the Eagles last season, there should be no hesitation after years of struggling with Stafford. Instead of the Lions getting two first-round picks from the Rams for Stafford in 2021, they can move up the timeline one year and would probably get a few more picks. Hurts made drastic strides in the passing game and developed into a dual-threat weapon for the Eagles during his third season (3,701 passing yards, 760 rushing yards in ’22).

4. Giants: Justin Jefferson, WR

Original pick: Andrew Thomas, OT

If this draft didn’t include three of the 10 best quarterbacks in the league, Jefferson would have gone higher and would probably be the top pick in most drafts knowing what we know now. He’s certainly in the running for the top pick in most fantasy football drafts after a monster 2022 season with 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns. The three-time Pro Bowler was also named Offensive Player of the Year. The Eagles infamously selected wide receiver Jalen Reagor at No. 21, one spot before the Vikings took Jefferson. Luckily for Philadelphia, they landed Hurts in the second round.

5. Dolphins: Tristan Wirfs, OT

Original pick: Tua Tagovailoa, QB

Wirfs made an immediate impact as a rookie starting right tackle on the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl–winning team with Tom Brady in 2020. In this scenario, though, Wirfs wouldn’t have blocked for Tagovailoa, but he’d be a core player in Miami on an offensive line that might also feature current left tackle Terron Armstead. In the real world, Wirfs has had a successful start to his career as a two-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro selection in ’21. But he’ll face a new challenge this season moving to left tackle. 

6. Chargers: CeeDee Lamb, WR

Original pick: Justin Herbert, QB

Unfortunately for the Chargers, they miss out on Herbert here. But they would have arguably the best wide receiver trio with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Lamb, who’s coming off a career season with 107 catches for 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns. This selection also isn’t that far-fetched because the Chargers are fond of physical wideouts with size. The 6'2", 200-pound Lamb certainly fits the Chargers’ wide receiver type.

7. Panthers: Andrew Thomas, OT

Original pick: Derrick Brown, DT

The Giants took plenty of heat for drafting Thomas at No. 4 and making him the first offensive lineman off the board, but that has become an afterthought because of how productive Thomas has been the past two seasons. He was named a second-team All-Pro last season and was given a 90.3 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus, the third highest among tackles, ranking behind Christian Darrisaw and Trent Williams. Today, no one would complain if the Panthers took Thomas here.

8. Cardinals: A.J. Terrell, CB

Original pick: Isaiah Simmons, LB

This is where redrafting the 2020 class got tough for me. Terrell struggled last season, but he played on a Falcons defense that lacked playmakers, especially with pass rushers. But I go back to Terrell’s work in ’21 as a fierce lockdown No. 1 cornerback. Perhaps in this scenario, Terrell would have gotten more help in a secondary that included Patrick Peterson and Budda Baker. But, then again, Terrell probably would have joined Baker in asking for a trade out of Arizona before the team goes full tank mode in the upcoming season.

9. Jaguars: Alex Highsmith, edge

Original pick: C.J. Henderson, CB

Edge rushers go fast and early in most NFL drafts. But this crop of edge rushers has been inconsistent through three seasons. So, Highsmith gets the nod here after a breakout 2022 season. Highsmith had career highs in sacks (14.5) quarterback hits (20) and forced fumbles (five). He also stepped up as the Steelers’ No. 1 edge rusher, while T.J. Watt was sidelined due to injury. Originally, Highsmith was drafted in the third round at pick No. 102.

10. Browns: Tee Higgins, WR

Higgins has had back-to-back seasons of at least 74 catches, 1,000 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Katie Stratman/USA TODAY Sports

Original pick: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT

The 6'4", 219-pound Higgins is an underrated playmaker and would be the top target on most teams. He doesn’t have the spotlight because he plays next to Ja’Marr Chase, but there are reasons why the Bengals are planning on re-signing Higgins, despite having to also account for extensions for Burrow and Chase. Higgins has had back-to-back seasons of at least 74 catches, 1,000 yards and six receiving touchdowns. The Browns would gladly welcome that type of production. 

11. Jets: Tua Tagovailoa, QB

Original pick: Mekhi Becton, OT

Tagovailoa drops from originally being the No. 5 pick, but it’s not a substantial slide and remains in the AFC East. He had a rocky first two seasons in the league and he’s dealt with injuries, but Tagovailoa proved last season he’s capable of being a franchise quarterback when healthy. Tagovailoa flourished in his first season with coach Mike McDaniel and developed chemistry with speedy wideout Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Tagovailoa completed 64.8%of his passes and threw for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games. The Jets are often in need of a quarterback, but this would be a gamble given Tagovailoa’s injury history.

12. Raiders: Derrick Brown, DT

Original pick: Henry Ruggs III, WR

Anything would be better than the Raiders’ original selection of Ruggs, who recently pleaded guilty in a fatal car crash case. The Raiders have a reputation for making regrettable decisions in the draft, which explains why they haven’t had a standout interior defensive lineman in years. Brown is a promising defensive tackle who set career highs in hits (10) and hurries (29) last season.

13. Buccaneers: Josh Uche, edge

Original pick: Tristan Wirfs, OT

Similar to Highsmith, Uche also made the leap in 2022. He recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks, 8.5 more than what he had the prior season. Pro Football Focus also took notice of Uche’s memorable season after giving him an 83.1 defensive grade and 87.8 pass rush grade, but he played only 38% of the defensive snaps last season. Uche finally proved to Bill Belichick he’s worthy of starter’s snaps. But Uche’s tough road to cracking the rotation likely would have been the same in Tampa Bay due to how stacked the Bucs were on the defensive front at the time.

14. 49ers: Jonathan Taylor, RB

Original pick: Javon Kinlaw, DT

Many would have lost their minds seeing a running back taken this high in 2020. But because we know the future, this pick seems about right after Taylor captured the rushing title in ’21 with 1,811 yards along with 18 touchdowns. Taylor, however, is coming off a disappointing season in Indianapolis—he rushed for only 861 yards in 11 games played. But it’s tough seeing Taylor struggling to find holes in a San Francisco offense.

15. Broncos: Michael Pittman Jr., WR

Original pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR

There’s probably a good argument to be made on who’s better between Pittman and Jeudy, but the Broncos reportedly had Jeudy on the trading block this offseason. That likely wouldn’t have been the case with Pittman given how productive he’s been, despite poor quarterback play in Indianapolis. Pittman had a career-high 99 receptions in 2022 and that was mostly with a broken-down Matt Ryan throwing him the ball.

16. Falcons: Trevon Diggs, CB

Original pick: A.J. Terrell, CB

Terrell is long gone, but the Falcons still get a standout cornerback in Diggs, a two-time Pro Bowler and 2021 first-team All-Pro. Diggs had a breakout second season recording a whopping 11 interceptions. His exceptional ball skills make up for his many highs and lows in coverage.

17. Cowboys: Antoine Winfield Jr., S

Original pick: CeeDee Lamb, WR

Safeties have lost value in recent years (maybe the Seahawks ruined it for everybody after trading two first-round picks for Jamal Adams), but the class of 2020 is deep at the position. Winfield had a fast start as a rookie contributor during the Buccaneers’ run to the Super Bowl. He’s been a reliable playmaker the past three seasons and was named to the ’21 Pro Bowl.

18. Dolphins: Kyle Dugger, S

Original pick: Austin Jackson, OT

Dugger is listed as a safety, but he's a hybrid defender who can line up in the box and play slot cornerback. He doesn’t have the accolades of Winfield, but his versatility is valuable to a surging Patriots defense.

19. Raiders: Michael Onwenu, OL

Original pick: Damon Arnette, CB

Back-to-back Patriots go here. Wait, it’s a re-draft. But it does show how impactful the Patriots’ 2020 draft class has been with Uche, Dugger and Onwenu, who might be the steal of the draft with New England landing him in the sixth round. Onwenu has had success in the NFL playing guard and tackle. The Raiders are probably kicking themselves for not taking one of these three Patriots with two first-round picks that year.

20. Jaguars: Chase Young, edge

Young has played in only 12 games over the past two seasons because of injuries.

Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports

Original pick: K’Lavon Chaisson, edge

Young’s draft-day slide ends here. After a memorable rookie season, Young has struggled on the field and has been hamstrung by injuries the past two years, playing only a combined 12 games. Perhaps Young regains his 2020 form during a contract season.

21. Eagles: Brandon Aiyuk, WR

Original pick: Jalen Reagor, WR

Like Higgins, Aiyuk also gets forgotten at times, but he’s been just as productive playing with the 49ers’ deep cast of skill players. Aiyuk had his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2022 and has 18 career touchdown receptions. Oh, and if this was the original draft pick, Aiyuk would have eased some of the pain in Philadelphia for passing on Jefferson. Only some.

22. Vikings: Jedrick Wills Jr., OT

Original pick: Justin Jefferson, WR

Hey, it’s not Jefferson, but at least the Vikings would have talented bookend tackles in this other world by taking Wills and pairing him with Darrisaw, who went 23rd in the 2021 draft.

23. Chargers: L’Jarius Sneed, CB

Original pick: Kenneth Murray, LB

Want to know how the Chiefs continue to build a talented roster around Mahomes’s expensive contract? By finding players like Sneed in the fourth round. Sneed stepped up his play this past season to help the Chiefs capture the Super Bowl trophy.

24. Saints: Jerry Jeudy, WR

Original pick: Cesar Ruiz, OL

Perhaps Jeudy would have had better results through his first three seasons had he been drafted by the Saints, and not the Broncos. Jeudy hasn’t met expectations, but he had a quality 2022 season with 67 catches for 972 yards and six touchdowns. 

25. 49ers: Gabe Davis, WR

Original pick: Brandon Aiyuk, WR

Davis didn’t have the breakout season many expected last season, but he’s still a productive No. 2 wideout with 48 receptions for 836 yards and seven touchdowns. And he had an all-time playoff performance against the Chiefs in the divisional round two years ago with eight catches for 201 yards and four touchdowns.

26. Packers: Jordan Love, QB

Love finally gets a chance to start for the Packers after sitting three years on the bench behind Aaron Rodgers.

Mark Hoffman/USA Today Sports Network

Original pick: Love

Love not playing much the past three seasons takes away the benefit of knowing results while writing lengthy re-draft stories. But Love sticking with the Packers seems right. If Love is as good this season as Tagovailoa was last year, he definitely warrants being a first-round draft pick.

27. Seahawks: Robert Hunt, OG

Original pick: Jordyn Brooks, LB

Knowing what we know now, the Broncos likely don’t trade for Russell Wilson again. So, let’s give Wilson and the 2020 Seahawks a standout guard in Hunt.

28. Ravens: Jeremy Chinn, LB-S

Original pick: Patrick Queen, LB

Chinn is the third safety drafted in the first-round for this re-draft. But the versatile playmaker might be playing more linebacker this season with the Panthers.

29. Titans: Jaylon Johnson, CB

Original pick: Isaiah Wilson, OT

Johnson has been generating headlines for missing voluntary workouts in Chicago this spring. People taking notice of his absence means he’s a productive player, one who could see a nice contract extension some time between now and next offseason.

30. Dolphins: Darnell Mooney, WR

Original pick: Noah Igbinoghene, CB

Speaking of the Bears, Mooney has made several downfield plays since entering the league as a fifth-round pick. The draft gem had 81 catches for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns in 2021.

31. Vikings: Tyler Biadasz, C

Original pick: Jeff Gladney, CB

Biadasz has been a quality starter the past two years in Dallas, earning a Pro Bowl selection last season.

32. Chiefs: J.K. Dobbins, RB

Original pick: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB

Remember when everyone expected CEH to be the next fantasy football star just because he played in Kansas City? It’s been a rough two-year stretch for the running back after a promising rookie season. Dobbins has also had his ups and downs after missing all of the 2021 season due to injury, but he found his stride late last season and has flashed with a career average of 5.9 yards per carry in 23 games played. 

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