NFL Draft 2020: Complete first-round re-draft after rookie year
With the 2021 NFL Draft behind us, we have a bit of a slow period here that gives us an opportunity to look back. In this post, we are going to look back at the most recent class and see who was able to find value in the 2020 NFL Draft. This first-round re-draft scenario allows us to take a fun look at what could have been and also see which rookies from last year really shined in a major way.
Follow along as we re-draft the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, allowing teams to use one year of NFL experience of these players to make their decisions.
QB. Cincinnati Bengals. Justin Herbert. 1. player. 56.
Actual 2020 NFL Draft Pick: Joe Burrow, QB
Joe Burrow seemed like the right pick for the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 1 overall and he still has a bright future with the team. However, after seeing Justin Herbert shine with the Los Angeles Chargers last season, it is impossible not to make him the pick here.
Herbert is the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and is arguably the most talented young quarterback in the entire NFL. Make no mistake about it, he has massive upside going forward and would undoubtedly go No. 1 overall if a re-draft were possible.
58. . EDGE. Washington Commanders. Chase Young. 2. player
Actual 2020 NFL Draft Pick: Chase Young, EDGE
Chase Young immediately burst onto the stage for the Washington Football Team and clearly established himself as one of the premier young defenders in the entire NFL. He dominated up front all season long and easily took home NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Taking a quarterback here was tempting, but Young is a dominant edge defender who would undoubtedly still be worthy of this pick.
50. . WR. Detroit Lions. Justin Jefferson. 3. player
Actual 2020 NFL Draft PIck: Jeff Okudah, CB
Knowing what we know now, quarterback could be an option for the Detroit Lions at No. 3. That being said, Matthew Stafford was still on the roster during the 2020 NFL Draft, making that an unlikely selection. Instead, the Lions look forward and add an impact weapon in the passing game with the addition of Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson was arguably the single best selection made during the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings absolutely stole him at No. 22 overall. Despite being the fifth receiver off of the board, Jefferson absolutely dominated as a rookie and would be an obvious target for the Lions here in this scenario.