2020 was one of the best drafts ever, even thought it was virtual. The views for an NFL draft were at its all time highest this year. This also has to do with the loaded class this year. We will take a look at the 3 teams with the best draft, and the 3 teams with the worst draft!
Best:
1. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings draft could not have gone any better. With 2 first round draft picks, they were able to get amazing players. The Justin Jefferson pick was probably the best, as there was a lot of doubt on if he would even fall to pick 22. Then, they were able to get one of the highest ranked corners in Jeff Gladney out of TCU who can replace Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander. They found their true backup QB, Nate Stanley, and reinforced their offensive and defensive lines. It was a great draft for Mike Zimmer.
2. Dallas Cowboys
When Jerry Jones said he was going to draft alone, there was a lot of doubt. However, Jerry gave the Cowboys one of the best drafts in the league. he started off in the first round with the best receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who was projected to be the first receiver take. Dallas got him at #17. They drafted 2 corners, Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson, who are fairly good replacements for Byron Jones. They also improved their defensive line with Bradlee Anae, and were able to find their replacement for Travis Fredrick, which is guard/center Tyler Biadasz. After a rough FA, and losing 2 key players, Byron Jones, and Travis Fredrick, Jerry Jones had an amazing draft!
3. Arizona Cardinals
The expectation for the Cardinals was to draft an OT with their first round draft pick. However, a top 3 player in the draft, Isaiah Simmons, surprisngly fell to 8, giving them argaubly the best defensive player in the draft. Then, they found their long-term OT, Josh Jones, who was an absolute steal as a 2nd round pick. With the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, they didn’t need to draft a WR, allowing them to get a backup RB (Eno Benjamin), and reinforcing their defensive line. Solid draft and a solid free agency by GM Steve Keim.
Worst:
1. Chicago Bears
2020 was not a good draft year for the Bears. For starters, they didn’t have a first rounder because of the trade for Khalil Mack back in 2017. Aside from Cole Kmet, the TE out of Notre Dame, their draft did not consist of many players that will make a real difference to the Bears in the 2020 season. The Bears were limited in picks, and didn’t get many good players with those picks.
2. Las Vegas Raiders
Who would’ve thought a team with 2 first rounders would have one of the worst drafts?? Anyways, this was not a good draft at all. They started the first night with drafting a WR, which was a good decision. However, they took the 3rd best receiver in the class, Henry Ruggs III, with CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy on the board. Then, with the 19th pick, they drafted Damon Arnette. This was an absolute reach. Arnette is a great player, but is simply not first round caliber. In fact, many mock drafts had him going in the 3rd round. He would’ve been a great addition if the Raiders had simply waited to draft him. Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden tried a little too hard to find underrated players, and threw away some of their late round picks with players that might not even make the roster.
3. Green Bay Packers
And finally we have the Packers, the team with arguably the worst draft in the league. It was a very shocking decision to use their first round pick on QB Jordan Love, after building around Aaron Rodgers for the past couple years. But that is not the worst part… The Packers were in dire need of a WR, as Davante Adams is going to struggle being the only legitimate receiver. The Packers decided not to draft a receiver at ALL. Their 2nd round pick, A.J. Dillon, is a great player, but won’t do anything that Aaron Jones can’t. The Packers focused a little too much on the future, which will cause them to have a rough time competing against NFC teams that had great drafts, like the Vikings, Cowboys, Cardinals, Saints, etc. Matt LaFleur could’ve done a much better job upgrading his team.
