The 2020 NFL Draft will forever go down in history as the league’s first (and hopefully last) “virtual” draft. As the global pandemic COVID-19 put the sports world on hold, the NFL made the decision that the show must go on, and obviously, made the most out of the situation at hand. With that being said, let’s dive into some of the most interesting picks the NFL GM’s made from home.
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB – Miami Dolphins; 5th Overall Pick
After an impressive free agency period for the Miami Dolphins, it finally seems as if the organization is making moves towards becoming a threat in the AFC East. By drafting Tua Tagovailoa (Or Taglivioa, according to Rick Ross), the Dolphins are sending a message to the league, that they are ready to put the days of being one of the laughingstocks of the NFL behind them. There’s only one issue, and it is the frightening history of SEVEN injuries he suffered in only two years at Alabama, the most recent, and most devastating, being his hip dislocation back in November. Taking Tua at 5, to me, is a gamble, solely in part by the history of injuries he carries with him. On the bright side, it is hard to doubt that If, and when, Tua is healthy, he is an absolute baller, and could take the Dolphins above and beyond in the NFL.
- Henry Ruggs III, WR – Las Vegas Raiders; 12th Overall Pick
Henry Ruggs is a speed demon, there is no other way to put it. Running a 4.27 40-yard dash at the Combine, along with a 42 inch vertical, the kid is an athletic freak. This pick may be a bit of a head scratcher though, because even with the tremendous athletic ability of Ruggs, the general consensus among NFL experts was Ceedee Lamb (more on him later), being the first receiver to go in the draft, some even predecting to the Raiders in this same pick. Although I would not say this pick was a “reach”, it was most definitely surprising to see Henry Ruggs come off the board before guys like Ceedee Lamb, and Jerry Jeudy.
- Tristan Wirfs, OT – Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 13th Overall (Traded up from 14)
Among draft experts, Tristan Wirfs was projected to be the first two or three offensive tackles off the board, among a highly talented group in this year’s draft. After seeing Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills, and Mekhi Becton all go before Wirfs, GM Jason Licht pulled the trigger on a trade to send them up from 14 to 13, in the first round. There is no way for us to know if 49’ers GM John Lynch had his eyes on Tristan Wirfs, or if he was just bluffing to get Licht to bite on the trade. What we do know is that Tampa realized that protecting Tom Brady was worth giving up a 4th round pick in order to eliminate all risks of potentially missing out on their guy.
- Ceedee Lamb, WR – Dallas Cowboys; 17th Overall
The highly touted prospect, and perceived best wide receiver out of a stacked class in this year’s draft, Lamb saw Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy both go before him. Still on the board at 17, Jerry Jones did not pass up on the best available player, and selected the impressive receiver, to go along with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. There is no doubt the Cowboys got a steal with this pick. There is also no doubt that they have priorities at other positions. After a disappointing 8-8 season and missing the playoffs, all the Cowboys had to show for themselves was their #1 ranked offense in the league, that posted a whopping 6,900 yards. On the other side of the ball, losing their #1 defensive back, Byron Jones, in free agency poses a glaring hole in an already lackluster secondary, as well as other positions on defense that needed to be addressed by the Cowboys, that was not solved with their first round pick.
- Jalen Reagor, WR – Philadelphia Eagles; 21st Overall
The Philadelphia Eagles came into the 2020 draft desperate for a wide receiver, after a season where Greg Ward Jr. caught the most passes for them out of the WR position down the stretch. Among speculation and rumors of the Eagles moving up to get a guy like Henry Ruggs, who they reportedly loved, there were also rumors of them having high thoughts of Jalen Reagor, who ran a 4.22 40-yard dash at his pro day, and has a 42 inch vertical, similar to Ruggs. Although he is not one of the bigger names that were available at receiver in the draft, the Eagles got the (beyond) speedy, explosive, dangerous, playmaker they needed out of the WR position to add some big play ability for Carson Wentz and the offense. Reagor, although not perfect, and not a “big name” receiver, has the potential to become great in the NFL, as we’re seeing now, from the likes of guys like Tyreek Hill, that speed kills at WR.
- Jordan Love, QB – Green Bay Packers; 26th Overall (Traded up from 30)
Over the 17-year career of Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers have never selected a skill position (WR, RB, TE) player in the first round of the draft. This did not change after this year’s draft, as the Packers traded up four spots to select Rodgers’ (potential) predecessor, in Jordan Love. The Packers blatantly obvious disregard for selecting first round talent to help Rodgers and the offense shows its ugly head again in this seasons draft. Love, a projected 2nd round pick, seems to be who the Packers want to be the next in line, after the future hall of famer Aaron Rodgers, after giving up their 4th round pick to move up four picks in the first round. They leapfrogged the Titans, Seahawks, and Ravens, all of which have no need to select a QB in the first round. Personally, I’m baffled by this pick, and even more baffled by them trading up for it, and I can only imagine the frustration of Aaron Rodgers seeing the events unfold.
The first round of the first ever “virtual” NFL Draft did not lack excitement, and definitely did not lack interesting picks. The draft continues tonight, the 24th, with rounds 2 and 3, and rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday, the 25th.
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