With the excitement of the NFL draft behind us, it’s worth revisiting a loaded 2020 class to see how things might shake out with the benefit of hindsight. It was a deep group with plenty of hits, but the league could look very different if teams had made different decisions. The original draft order remains intact here, with no hypothetical trades, but plenty of “what if” scenarios.
One notable takeaway: only one team, Jacksonville, which held multiple first-round picks, appears better off now than it was at the time of the draft. That reality underscores just how critical strong scouting and decision-making are in getting these picks right.
1) Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, LSU
Original Pick: Joe Burrow
The Cincinnati Bengals hit a home run with this pick. While he hasn’t won what Jalen Hurts has, he is the most talented player in this draft and a perennial MVP candidate. Would certainly hope for some more luck in the injury department, but this pick was a no-brainer. Burrow was selected to his third Pro Bowl this past season, and now it seems like the team is finally giving defense some attention, so this could be the year it all comes together for him and the Bengals.
2) Washington Commanders: WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Original Pick: EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State
Justin Jefferson burst onto the scene immediately as soon as he entered the NFL, and knowing what they know now, the Washington Commanders wouldn’t have been able to let a Hall of Fame-caliber wideout pass by them. He has records for most receiving yards as a rookie (1,400) and over the course of his first two seasons.
He also caught the most touchdowns that a rookie had ever caught, with seven. He has never had less than 1,000 yards in a season, even in some years with injuries or questionable quarterback play, but when 18 straps up, he is going to make plays, and he would’ve been dynamic for Washington.
3) Detroit Lions: WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Original Pick: CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
In this class, we now know that there were two generational talents at receiver, and with Jefferson off the board, the Detroit Lions bringing in CeeDee Lamb would’ve immediately enhanced their wide receiver room. Lamb is a five-time Pro Bowl receiver who had less than 1,000 yards in his rookie year, when he had 935. The Lions originally went for Jeff Okudah out of Ohio State with this pick, who looked like a decent talent, but never had the game-changing ability that Lamb possesses.
4) New York Giants: OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
Original Pick: OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
The New York Giants got it right, going for an offensive tackle with this pick; they just went for the wrong one. With respect to the late-blooming of Andrew Thomas, Tristan Wirfs made an immediate impact when entering the league, protecting Tom Brady all the way to a Super Bowl title in his rookie season. While the Bucs haven’t found the same success since, his impact was clear and continues to be evident, something the Giants could’ve used badly at the time.
5) Miami Dolphins: QB Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Original Pick: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
The whole narrative was “Tank for Tua,” and the Miami Dolphins badly wanted to bring him in, but maybe they should have been targeting his ex-Alabama teammate, Jalen Hurts. He’s never quite cracked the MVP conversation, but he’s delivered exactly what the Eagles have needed from the moment he took over — earning three Pro Bowl nods, winning a Super Bowl, and taking home Super Bowl MVP honors. He has already had an incredible career if he hung them up today, but as long as he continues to play, the Eagles are contenders.
6) Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Original Pick: Justin Herbert
The Los Angeles Chargers got this pick right, as they picked the best available quarterback, who has played well and still has a lot of upside to do even more. This was evident from the moment he took over for Tyrod Taylor during the 2020-21 season, which ended with a Rookie of the Year award. Over the years, he has continued to put up numbers, but has only recently been able to turn them into strong, winning seasons.
7) Carolina Panthers: LB Patrick Queen, LSU
Original Pick: DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
The Carolina Panthers were right to go defense with this pick, but I have them targeting a dynamic linebacker to stabilize their defense. Queen has played in 101 games in his career, which is the most of any player in the 2020 draft class, and he’s been impactful in those games. He has accumulated 418 tackles, four interceptions, and 15.5 sacks in that time.
8) Arizona Cardinals: RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Original Pick: LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
With a lack of a veteran leader and a lot of uncertainty, if the Arizona Cardinals knew what they knew now, they would’ve most certainly gone with Taylor with this pick. Taylor has been far and away the best running back from this class and has been among the league’s best.
In fact, according to PFSN’s NFL RB Impact Metrics, he has been a top-six running back three times out of six seasons, including the top-ranked runner in 2021-22, with an 87.9 Impact Score, good for a B+ grade. The Cardinals haven’t had a running back come close to this production in a while, so this could’ve been really good for them.
9) Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Original Pick: CB C.J. Henderson, Florida
With all that was said above, if the Jaguars saw Tagovailoa available with the tenth pick in 2020, they would have been ecstatic. Tagovailoa has been super inconsistent with interceptions and has only played all 17 games once in his career, but he has shown flashes of great ability at times. His lone Pro Bowl season, 2023, was a great year for the Dolphins. Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards, with 4,624, which led to the only playoff appearance of his time.
10) Cleveland Browns: S Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
Original Pick: OT Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
While Jedrick Wills was considered a solid tackle prospect, the opportunity to get the First-Team All-Pro safety in Winfield would fit great into how this Cleveland defense looks now. Winfield is a Two-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl Champion, and has a well-rounded game. This is shown through his 353 tackles, nine interceptions, and 18 sacks.
11) New York Jets: WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
Original Pick: OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville
One of the forgotten gems of this draft is the second-round first pick, Tee Higgins. He has since been part of one of the most dynamic wide receiver duos in the game today with Ja’Marr Chase, but he has still made the Pro Bowl in his own right and has caught 389 passes for 5,441 yards and 45 touchdowns. He also had a touchdown in his only Super Bowl appearance. The Jets got Garrett Wilson in the years that followed, but in 2020, this type of talent outside was something they could only imagine.
12) Las Vegas Raiders: WR Michael Pittman, USC
Original Pick: WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
While the Las Vegas Raiders never got much out of this pick, for unfortunate reasons, they had the right idea going with a receiver who could change the game for them. Michael Pittman has been reliable for the Colts, with 485 receptions, 5,254 yards, and 25 touchdowns. The Raiders look to hit the reset button this season, but this Henry Ruggs III pick is a testament to how their luck has been of late.
13) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia
Original Pick: Tristan Wirfs
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers nailed the Tristan Wirfs pick here, in this hypothetical, they did not have that option, so they went with D’Andre Swift. Swift is one of the more impactful picks from this draft, even if he is on his second stop. He has shown flashes of what inspired Detroit to draft him No. 35, and in a Tom Brady offense, he would certainly have carved out a nice role.
14) San Francisco 49ers: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
Original Pick: DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
The San Francisco 49ers got a steal with drafting Brandon Aiyuk No. 25 overall, but he has been good since he came in, and is worthy of a higher draft position in this draft. Even with missing a year due to contract disputes and a torn ACL, the talent he possesses was undeniable from day one. Overall, he has 294 receptions for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns.
15) Denver Broncos: LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
Original Pick: WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
While the Denver Broncos went wide receiver in the real draft, the talent of Jordyn Brooks would be too good for them to pass on. After four years in Seattle, he has continued his strong play in Miami, leading the team in tackles in 2025-26 with 183. He has 13 sacks and has forced 3 fumbles in his career.
16) Atlanta Falcons: S Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois
Original Pick: CB AJ Terrell, Clemson
While AJ Terrell has all the talent in the world, availability is a key part of ability, which led to a different direction with this pick. The pride of Southern Illinois has been an impactful player for Carolina and, more recently, Washington and Las Vegas. He has been a starter for the majority of his career and would’ve brought some stability to the Atlanta Falcons secondary.
17) Dallas Cowboys: OT John Runyan Jr., Michigan
Original Pick: CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb has exploded ever since the Dallas Cowboys drafted him here, but with all of the top receiver talent off the board, I have Dallas filling a hole in the offensive line with a steady starter, which Green Bay found in the sixth round of this draft. He has earned his place as a five-year starter and would be a good fit for Dallas here if they hadn’t had Lamb to go with.
18) Miami Dolphins: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama
Original Pick: OT Austin Jackson, USC
The Giants took Xavier McKinney in the second round, and he always showed potential, but didn’t really flourish until he left the dysfunction of what was New York Giants football. Miami picked a tackle, but nobody would have faulted them for taking this defensive talent here if they knew what we know now.
19) Las Vegas Raiders: DT Nnamdi Madubuike, Texas A&M
Original Pick: CB Damon Arnette, Ohio State
With their second first-round pick, the Raiders address a need in the middle of their defensive line by selecting Nnamdi Madubuike, whom Baltimore originally took in the third round. Madubuike has 30 sacks in his career and has been selected to a pair of Pro Bowls. He may have been a bit of a late bloomer, but knowing he would become this would have the Raiders excited about having his services at 19.
20) Jacksonville Jaguars: C Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
Original Pick: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
With a new quarterback in the fold in this hypothetical, the next logical move would be to bolster the line with the best center in the draft, Tyler Biadasz. Biadasz was a Pro Bowler in 2022 and has been a steady starter since halfway through his rookie year. Adding some stability to the line for Tua may prevent his injury-prone status, but, of course, this is all hypothetical.
21) Philadelphia Eagles: LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
Original Pick: WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
The Saints grabbed Zack Baun in the third round of the draft, and he looked like a steal from the day he entered camp. It seems like the whole Wisconsin class was overlooked, but they are still making an impact in the league. His production with the Philadelphia Eagles does not have to be left to the imagination, as they signed him leading into the 2024-25 season, and he immediately became a Super Bowl Champion and a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
22) Minnesota Vikings: CB AJ Terrell, Clemson
Original Pick: Justin Jefferson
The Minnesota Vikings landed one of the best picks of the draft at No. 22 in the real version. With Justin Jefferson off the board here, the focus shifts to the secondary, adding AJ Terrell — who went earlier in reality and has been a difference-maker for the Falcons when healthy — while the Los Angeles Chargers select Georgia OT Andrew Thomas.
Original Pick: LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
While Kenneth Murray was a solid pick the first time around, the Chargers pivot to the offensive line at No. 23 by selecting Andrew Thomas. A high-end prospect with room to grow, Thomas still has the upside to develop into a late bloomer. Given the Chargers’ ongoing struggles up front, reinforcing the line remains a priority.
24) New Orleans Saints: CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
Original Pick: OG/C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
At this time, the New Orleans Saints were a pretty complete team, but doing a needs analysis going into this draft and comparing it to how these players’ careers have gone, CB Trevon Diggs would’ve been a great pick here to join the stout Saints defense.
25) San Francisco 49ers: DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
Original Pick: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
The Panthers spent a seventh-overall pick on Brown, and while one could argue he hasn’t met expectations, he has still provided decent production and 13 sacks.
26) Green Bay Packers: QB Jordan Love, Utah State
Original Pick: QB Jordan Love, Utah State
The Green Bay Packers got this pick right. Jordan Love has shown the potential to take the next step as a quarterback and has gotten his payday, but he continues to have a chip on his shoulder. He is reliable and makes good decisions, but he needs to tap into that potential to keep the Packers from falling further behind the new, up-and-coming NFC teams, including the rival Bears.
27) Seattle Seahawks: OG Damien Lewis, LSU
Original Pick: LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
The Seattle Seahawks did well with this pick, as Jordyn Brooks is one of the better linebackers who were available in the entire draft, and they got him at 27. They effectively move up their third-round pick here, landing a reliable offensive lineman out of LSU in a home run selection. These are the types of moves championship teams make.
28) Baltimore Ravens: LB Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
Original Pick: LB Patrick Queen, Oklahoma
Patrick Queen is a top-ten player in this draft, in terms of his impact, and the Baltimore Ravens let him go after a Pro Bowl season to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, only to stabilize their defense enough to make another Pro Bowl the following season. In this redraft, the Ravens land Alex Highsmith, an unheralded third-round linebacker out of Charlotte who goes on to lead this draft class in sacks.
29) Tennessee Titans: OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
Original Pick: OT Isaiah Wilson, Georgia
Bolstering the offensive line was the right pick for the Tennessee Titans here; they just went with the wrong one. While Isaiah Wilson came from a big school, Ezra Cleveland turned out to be the better prospect, going No. 58 to Minnesota.
30) Miami Dolphins: OG Kevin Dotson, Louisiana
Original Pick: CB Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
While the Miami Dolphins opted for a corner here, the offensive line stands out as the better choice in hindsight. Even if the corner pick worked out, it could be argued that their offensive line needed the addition more. Kevin Dotson is a steady lineman out of Louisiana who, after three years with the Steelers, has been an every-game starter for the Rams since.
31) Minnesota Vikings: CB Jaylon Johnson, Utah
Original Pick: CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
The Vikings turn to Jaylon Johnson, prying a proven corner from division rival Chicago after targeting the right position but missing on Jeff Gladney, whose career was derailed by off-field legal issues. He then passed away in a tragic car accident in 2022.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State
Original Pick: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
With the final pick of the first round, the Chiefs take a swing on Chase Young, a disruptive talent whose impact has been limited by injuries.
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He recorded a sack in his lone Super Bowl appearance and could still profile as a potential successor to Cameron Jordan in New Orleans.
