2020 NFL DRAFT SELECTION VALUE REPORT
Below you will find 2020 NFL Draft value scores for all 32 teams. The VALUE SCORE represents the average round value of each team’s selections versus my pre-draft top 255. To account for the subjective nature of the evaluation system, additional comments on each team's overall draft haul are also included.
To further explain, a +1.00 overall value score means a team selected its players about a round later on average than they were expected to go based on my board (great news).
Meanwhile, a -0.50 value score means the team selected their draft picks around a half round sooner than expected (not so great news). This team would have theoretically lost a half round of value, on average, for their selections.
The value score measures just that, value versus my board, and not necessarily the quality or fit of the picks themselves. Also included below are each team’s PICK VALUE scores for Rounds 1-3, Rounds 4-7 and the draft as a whole.
Pick value follows the same logic as the value score, but instead of measuring by round value, the pick value is the number of actual picks above or beneath anticipated value for each player. The pick value is calculated on a pick-by-pick basis and then used to produce the value score. Picks on days 1 and 2 (Rounds 1-3) are more heavily weighted than Day 3 picks (Rounds 4-7) in the final pick value calculation.
The teams are listed below in order of their first selection of the weekend. A ranking of teams by overall value score can be found at the very bottom of the page, along with the highest/lowest-value individual selections of the draft.
1. CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Bengals accomplished what was needed in a critically important draft for the organization, as they not only avoided blowing a very obvious decision with new QB and franchise anchor Joe Burrow, they managed to grab 4 top-120 players with their first four picks and found solid value with each of their 7 total selections. Tee Higgins at #33 overall was a smart spot to grab an immediate-impact support piece for Burrow with promising upside. The decision to take two linebackers that were tough to confidently evaluate due to sub-optimal collegiate competition in Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither is slightly concerning but both are admittedly exciting prospects that were grabbed in the right range.
2. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
The value score is certainly not pretty but it was far from a disastrous weekend for the new Ron Rivera-led regime in Washington. The Redskins drafted possibly the best player in the class at #2 overall before grabbing several depth pieces that could have immediate use. Antonio Gibson was certainly not on my early Round 3 radar but he's a versatile speedster and forms an interesting rookie tandem with Antonio Gandy-Golden, who was snagged with great value at pick #142.
3. detroit lions
Lions GM Bob Quinn put his four picks in the top 75 to good use hunting for value at high-impact positions, which translated to a stellar Round 1-3 pick score. Jeff Okudah should immediately fill outgoing CB1 Darius Slay's shoes and looks to have a tremendous future ahead while D'Andre Swift was considered by many, myself included, as the top RB prospect in the class. Detroit then got great value on their next three picks before taking Quintez Cephus, a receiver I dinged for a murky off-field saga that saw him briefly expelled from Wisconsin.
4. new york giants
Dave Gettleman earns another good value score this year as he continues to demonstrate a reliable commitment to his board and a best-available mentality. Xavier McKinney is a tremendous Round 2 selection who could make a gigantic, immediate impact in a major need area for the Giants. Andrew Thomas was a statement pick with every other tackle still available, but the argument that he was the truest left tackle in the class is frankly hard to dispute. Matt Peart and Shane Lemieux were inspired depth choices at plus value on the offensive line at #99 and #150 overall.
5. miami dolphins
The score suggests Chris Grier was basically a round off on average for his selections... and I don't really have a qualifier for that because I think it's fair. But at the same time I don't hate the players chosen and very rarely can I honestly say an entire draft class has a chance to make the team. But Malcolm Perry is the biggest question in that department after the LSU long snapper, which is definitely a curious choice, but all things considered it was a solid haul for Miami even if it wasn't obtained at tremendous value.
6. los angeles chargers
Another superstar draft for Tom Telesco and the Chargers. There is a reason to be excited about every one of these picks and Kenneth Murray and KJ Hill were two of my favorite players in the entire draft class. However, as well as Telesco played the board while addressing need areas, this draft class will always be judged on the success of Justin Herbert. The young QB is still a bit of a project but luckily the Chargers have a talented roster to support him and seem ready to be patient with his development.
7. carolina panthers
It was hard to know what to expect from the new-look Panthers and it's also hard to know what to make of their selections. Derrick Brown was the safest pick available at #7, but was he truly worth passing on Isaiah Simmons in an offseason where defensive catalyst Luke Kuechly just walked away from the game? Yetur Gross-Matos was snagged at good value early in Round 2 while the same could be said about Jeremy Chinn at the end of the round. At least it can’t be argued that key defensive needs were left unaddressed. Day 3 was far less of a convincing value haul and it’s peculiar that the new regime didn’t take even one swing at an offensive prospect this year.
8. arizona cardinals
Wow. It was a strikingly efficient draft for one of the most exciting rising organizations in the league as Steve Keim averaged a full round of plus value per pick versus my board. Isaiah Simmons was an easy call after a slight drop and Josh Jones in Round 3 had to be a best-case scenario pick for a team in search of an athletic tackle that can fit Kliff Kingsbury's wide open scheme. The Cardinals finished the weekend with 4 solid Day 3 picks that could all see the field relatively quickly, highlighted by the Round 7 steal of Eno Benjamin out of Arizona State.
9. jacksonville jaguars
The Jaguars entered draft weekend a franchise in transition, moving away from the leadership of Tom Coughlin this offseason and armed with quite a few picks to restock the roster. CJ Henderson, K'Lavon Chaisson and Laviska Shenault will all see immediate action and none were really reaches, so it's hard to knock GM Dave Caldwell for his use of the team's 3 top-42 selections. Jacksonville didn't make another value splash until Round 5, when they took the underrated and legitimately exciting Collin Johnson from Texas before scooping my 8th-ranked QB Jake Luton with pick #189. Provided the team doesn't add another veteran QB this offseason, I would actually be surprised if Luton didn't find his way on to the field at some point in 2020.
10. cleveland browns
Browns GM Andrew Berry fared particularly well against my board this year, not only scooping solid prospects at plus value, but actually grabbing several of my top-rated players at their position in this class. I can't explain the precipitous drop of TE Harrison Bryant, but he was my TE1, just as Jedrick Wills was my OT1 and Grant Delpit was my top-rated safety. Even Jordan Elliott and Nick Harris were favorites of mine and higher on my board than most others... but clearly not Andrew Berry's.
11. new york jets
The value scores line up with my feelings about the first draft at the helm for new Jets GM Joe Douglas, who crushed it on Thursday and Friday nights before seriously underwhelming with his Saturday selections. Becton was the riskiest of the top offensive tackles but also likely has the highest long-term upside, while Denzel Mims was a hugely important steal for the team at #59 overall. Some may question the fit of Ashtyn Davis but it's hard to argue with the successful addition of an outstanding secondary talent at almost a full round of positive value. It was really Round 4 that changed the direction of things, as the Jets first reached for a running back, then a project of a backup QB and finally a depth lineman who was far from the top of my OL board at the time of the selection. Virginia CB Bryce Hall saved the day, however, filling a major need with a potential starter at phenomenal value.
12. las vegas raiders
After grabbing my WR1 Henry Ruggs with the twelfth pick, Mike Mayock's weekend went directly off the rails on the value front. Every other selection made by the Raiders could be reasonably classified as a puzzling reach and none were more head-scratching than Damon Arnette, a player outside of my top 100, at #19 overall. Thing is, I don't really hate the players they reached for. Lynn Bowden's exact NFL usage is murky and Bryan Edwards is an injury concern but both have undeniably intriguing skill sets. Tanner Muse and John Simpson were multi-season staples at Clemson and cornerback Amik Robertson displayed quite a bit of plucky potential on tape.
13. tampa bay buccaneers
The value score may not be overwhelming but Jason Licht and his new-look Buccaneers did some real damage on draft weekend. Tristan Wirfs' potential versatility as an immediate plug-and-play tackle OR guard made him a truly inspired offensive line reinforcement pick at #13 overall. Antoine Winfield and Ke'Shawn Vaughn graded out to reaches vs my board but were both sensible need picks with the potential to make a quick impact. And then there's the sneaky scoop of Minnesota’s Tyler Johnson in Round 5, a player whose blatant talent and impressive college production were lost in the sauce of a very deep WR class.
14. san francisco 49ers
John Lynch surprised me with each of his first two picks, passing on a potential #1 receiver in CeeDee Lamb to take Javon Kinlaw at #14 before grabbing speedy wildcard wideout Brandon Aiyuk at #25. The Niners didn't pick again until Day 3, where they fared decently with plus-value, decent-upside additions in Colton McKivitz and Jauan Jennings. It's hard to knock them for taking several solid players, but with two Round 1 picks one could argue there was a bigger splash to be made for a team attempting to defend their NFC Championship crown.
15. denver broncos
John Elway's wildest Round 1 fantasy played out as the top WR on his board, Alabama's route running maestro Jerry Jeudy, fell to him for a common sense pick at #15 overall. Denver doubled down at #46 with the selection of game-breaking speedster KJ Hamler. All in all, the Broncos made savvy value picks at every spot besides #77 overall, where they selected Iowa corner Michael Ojemudia from a big group of remaining promising corners including Mississippi State's Cameron Dantzler.
16. atlanta falcons
The value grade is certainly not pretty for Thomas Dimitroff but his picks that really mattered were not all that disastrous. In fact, Marlon Davidson was one of my favorite players in the entire class and was an excellent style, need and value choice at #47. The Round 3 selection of Matt Hennessy was almost as solid as he brings legitimate starting potential at pick #78. The Day 3 reaches will fade into obscurity if the bold choice of AJ Terrell at #16 overall hits. I did not view Terrell as a Round 1 talent but his athleticism, championship experience and playmaking knack make it very tough to outright kill the pick.
17. dallas cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys crushed the 2020 NFL Draft, staying loyal to their board and making common sense choices at plus value all weekend. CeeDee Lamb was an outrageous coup in Round 1 and the hits kept coming after that. Dallas' next 5 picks all carry starter upside and need positions were addressed without any impulsive reaches. Bradley Anae in particular was a stunner to see available into Round 5 after recording 29.5 sacks and 40 tackles for loss in three years as a starter at Utah.
18. philadelphia eagles
By far the most controversial draft class of the bunch, Howie Roseman's 2020 crop graded solidly well and saw a big number of promising prospects added to the Eagles roster. Jalen Reagor might have been a slight reach at #21, especially because it meant they passed on Justin Jefferson AND allowed him to get to the Vikings. But I have a feeling Eagles fans will feel much better about all of this once they watch Reagor on the field. Davion Taylor and Jack Driscoll were understandable need reaches leveled out by the fantastic value on potential immediate contributor K'Von Wallace at #127 overall. WR depth was added at value in John Hightower and Quez Watkins on Day 3 before Philadelphia wrapped the weekend with two players who fell far further than they should have in Prince Tega Wanogho and Casey Toohill. In the end though, the viability of Jalen Hurts as a reliable plus-backup will likely define how this draft is viewed. For me, it was a smart and obvious choice to acknowledge the injury risk associated with Carson Wentz and attempt to bring into the fold a backup that can contribute in the offense even when he isn't starting.
19. minnesota vikings
I'm guessing Rick Spielman is positively thrilled with his haul this year, successfully replacing Stefon Diggs with Justin Jefferson at plus value in Round 1 before adding a bunch of high-upside players over the rest of the weekend. Jeff Gladney is a competitive, mean corner that seems a great fit to replace the outgoing Xavier Rhodes and Minnesota took out some insurance on that pick by later grabbing Cameron Dantzler at impressive value toward the end of Round 3. Spielman kept his plethora of Day 3 selections pretty loyal to the board, snapping up solid players in James Lynch, Troy Dye, Josh Metellus and Kenny Willekes while also taking a couple of reach shots at exciting prospects DJ Wonnum and KJ Osborn.
20. new orleans saints
The Saints didn't have much work to do this year but made the most out of their valuable Day 1 & 2 picks. Cesar Ruiz was a surprise but certainly has starter-caliber potential and will likely be developed as a depth interior lineman at first. Zack Baun's big fall was one of the puzzling drops of this draft, perhaps aided by an inconclusive combine drug test, but #74 overall for a player of his ability and versatility is just an outrageous stroke of mastery by Mickey Loomis. And while I wasn't the biggest advocate of Adam Trautman in the draft leadup, landing in New Orleans beyond the 100th pick seems like an ideal landing spot.
21. green bay packers
Kind of at a loss for what to even say about this disaster of a draft for Brian Gutekunst and the Packers and it's not just about the puzzling selection of Jordan Love in Round 1. RB AJ Dillon was grabbed shockingly early at #62 overall and his one-speed, power style seems to go against a league-wide trend toward speed and versatility at the position. Josiah Deguara was far from the top TE left on my board at #94 and just screamed blatant reach with so many talented wideouts still available at this point. On Day 3, Green Bay took 3 players who didn't make my top 250 but did manage to add a pair of solidly promising major-program offensive linemen for depth purposes. And then there's Jordan Love, whose selection flies in the face of what was thought to be a win-now situation and still-open championship window with Aaron Rodgers. All that said, Jordan Love desperately needs time and veteran teaching and has landed at the perfect place to receive both, even if the teacher may not be an entirely willing one.
22. seattle seahawks
John Schneider took quite a few big swings on draft weekend and the result didn't grade out particularly well on the value front. That said, exciting players were added including Round 1 selection Jordyn Brooks who was a bit of a reach but also an exciting stylistic fit for Seattle because of his explosive play speed. If he can stay healthy, Darrell Taylor looks to be a quality pro with high upside and Damien Lewis is a rock solid interior line prospect. Day 3 for Seattle was punctuated by the inspired pick of big-bodied edge rusher and Senior Bowl standout Alton Robinson at #148 overall.
23. baltimore ravens
The Ravens have a long-established reputation for finding and pouncing on value in the draft and it has arguably been the backbone of the organization's success over the last two decades. This year was no different, as Eric DeCosta played the board patiently and effectively beginning with the addition of Patrick Queen at the end of Round 1. JK Dobbins, Justin Madubuike, Malik Harrison, Bred Bredeson and James Proche were all plus-value selections with potential to see the field quickly and upside to develop into impact players. The value score should really be even better, as the Tyre Phillips and Broderick Washington Jr picks unfairly dragged down a very impressive overall haul.
24. tennessee titans
Jon Robinson has typically graded well against my board and did so again this year, even impressing where he might have slightly reached. Massive, mauling right tackle Isaiah Wilson found the perfect landing spot in Tennessee's power running scheme and should fit beautifully into the space left by departed starter Jack Conklin. And Darrynton Evans provides a speedy little change of pace option to statuesque star Derrick Henry. In the long run, the best pick of all might turn out to be the swiping of speedy coverage corner Kristian Fulton at #61 overall.
25. kansas city chiefs
It was a value-be-damned weekend for the Chiefs, who are in championship mode and thus looking for targeted need and style fits over maximized value choices. Still, they managed to make a big splash in taking the thrilling Clyde Edwards-Helaire to end Round 1, whose playmaking and 3-down potential inspires visions of a truly scary compliment to Patrick Mahomes' downfield bombing. Lucas Niang was the big value pick of the weekend for KC, as he provides starter-level upside and athleticism at #96 overall.
26. indianapolis colts
The score is unfairly harsh because of the selection of Julian Blackmon, the #215 player on my board, at #85 overall. Clearly I'm missing something there. But outside of that pick, Chris Ballard had yet another impressive draft beginning with immediate impact offensive weapons in Michael Pittman Jr and Jonathan Taylor. The most exciting pick of all was QB Jacob Eason at the outrageous spot of #122. Eason will now get time to learn behind Philip Rivers and has certain starter-level upside. Because of the outstanding value of the pick he can be patiently developed without the pressure associated with a Round 1 or 2 selection.
27. new england patriots
Much of what I've learned about draft value has been derived from studying Bill Belichick over the years. Evidently, there has been some kind of philosophical evolution in Patriots' front office, because I'm at a loss at this draft haul. Not only is the average value of these picks way off, Belichick managed to avoid both the QB and WR positions while taking wild, early swings at multiple tight ends, an immediately controversial kicker in Round 5 and ending Day 3 with two players I didn't even scout. Even the players I really liked, Kyle Dugger and Josh Uche, were taken so early that they are now under concerning pressure to excel right away for a team in real need of quick-impact reinforcements. Perhaps the most underwhelming aspect of this entire group is simply the lack of blatant star upside with any of these picks.
28. houston texans
It's hard to evaluate anything Bill O'Brien does in the wake of perhaps the single worst trade in the history of the sport and this draft did very little to make anyone forget it. Not that it was a disaster, as Ross Blacklock and Jonathan Greenard will see the field immediately and Isaiah Coulter was a sneaky value pick in Round 5. But the lack of a star wideout from this stacked class underwhelms as do the two Round 4 reach picks.
29. chicago bears
One could make the argument that Ryan Pace only added one near-term contributor in this year's draft and that would also be his only plus-value selection in Utah's Jaylon Johnson. A truly impressive prospect, I do believe Johnson will work his way into a starting spot this season. Aside from him, there was an awful lot of reaching going on by the Bears over draft weekend and for players of questionable overall upside. I will be curious to see how Cole Kmet translates as a pro, as I was underwhelmed by his limited production at Notre Dame.
30. pittsburgh steelers
With no picks in Round 1 and only one pick in the first 100, the Steelers and Kevin Colbert were not in much of a position to make a splash at this year's draft. This is why their high-upside selections of Chase Claypool and Alex Highsmith on Day 2 were inspired choices even at a slightly negative value despite both being boom or bust style prospects. Day 3 didn't provide much excitement, although Anthony McFarland has the potential, if his athleticism translates to the pros, to provide a needed change-of-pace player out of the Pittsburgh backfield.
31. los angeles rams
It was a massively important weekend for Les Snead, Sean McVay and the LA Rams, who need help in so many spots they really can't afford multiple misses from their 5 picks in the top 136. Fortunately they appear to have fared well with these choices, finding a new exciting running back in Cam Akers, an underheralded receiver who should be a great scheme fit in Van Jefferson, an underappreciated edge rusher in Terrell Lewis and a starting-caliber safety prospect in Terrell Burgess. Day 3 was started with another smart, plus-value choice in Brycen Hopkins. Those were the 5 picks that really mattered for Los Angeles this year and it looks as though they filled needs with high upside players at decent value with each of them.
32. buffalo bills
It's hard to find any fault at all with Brandon Beane, who played the board patiently and opportunistically all weekend, beginning with his grab of first round caliber edge rusher AJ Epenesa all the way at pick #54. Zach Moss, Gabriel Davis and Isaiah Hodgins were all exciting offensive additions, all scooped at good value. We've even learned that the selection of Jake Fromm, which actually seems like an outstanding fit, was just another part of Buffalo's board-loyal strategy as Beane later revealed the team was never targeting the Georgia QB, but just couldn't pass him up at #167 overall. He was the #70 player on my board.
