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NFL Draft: Notes, player profiles for first-round selections

NFL Draft Football
Posted at 9:36 AM, Apr 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-24 09:45:44-04

NEW YORK (NFL Communications/AP) - Thursday, the NFL completed the first round of the leagues' first-ever virtual draft. Courtesy of NFL Communications and the AP, here are notes and profiles of all 32 first round picks.

OFFENSE RULES THE FIRST: The 2020 NFL Draft featured 18 offensive players selected in the first round, tied for the fourth-most in the common draft era, trailing only the 1968, 2004 and 2009 NFL Drafts (19).

HEISMANS GO FIRST: The Cincinnati Bengals selected Heisman-winning quarterback JOE BURROW with the first-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Along with the first-overall selections of KYLER MURRAY (Arizona, 2019) and BAKER MAYFIELD (Cleveland, 2018), it marks the first time in the common draft era that a Heisman winner was chosen with the No. 1 pick in three consecutive NFL Drafts.

With his selection at No. 1, Burrow joins CAM NEWTON (Carolina, 2011) as the only quarterbacks to win the Heisman Trophy, National Championship and be selected with the first-overall pick in the same calendar year in the common draft era.

BUCKEYES AT THE TOP: Washington selected Ohio State defensive end CHASE YOUNG with the second-overall pick while Detroit picked Ohio State defensive back JEFF OKUDAH third-overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Along with the selections of DENZEL WARD (Cleveland, No. 4 overall in 2018) and NICK BOSA (San Francisco, No. 2 in 2019), Ohio State becomes the first school to have a defensive player selected in the top-five in three consecutive Drafts in the common draft era.

Young and Okudah are the first pair of college teammates to be chosen with consecutive top-three selections since the 2000 NFL Draft, when Penn State saw COURTNEY BROWN (Cleveland, No. 1) and LAVAR ARRINGTON (Washington, No. 2) chosen at the top of the first round.

In addition to Okudah, Ohio State defensive back DAMON ARNETTE was selected No. 19 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. It marks the fifth time that a school has had two defensive backs selected in the top-20 in the common draft era and the first time since 2017 [Ohio State – MARSHON LATTIMORE (New Orleans, No. 11) and MALIK HOOKER (Indianapolis, No. 15)].

TOP-TEN QBs: With the selections of quarterbacks JOE BURROW (Cincinnati, No. 1 overall), TUA TAGOVAILOA (Miami, No. 5) and JUSTIN HERBERT (Los Angeles Chargers, No. 6), 2020 is the sixth NFL Draft since 1967 and second in the past three years (2018) to have three quarterbacks selected in the top-10.

The 2020 NFL Draft marks the seventh consecutive draft with at least two quarterbacks chosen in the first round, the second-longest such streak in the common draft era (2002-12: 11 consecutive drafts) and the fifth consecutive draft with at least three quarterbacks selected in the first round, tied for the longest such streak in the common draft era (2002-06: five consecutive drafts).

TRENDING UP FRONT: Four offensive linemen – ANDREW THOMAS (New York Giants, No. 4 overall), JEDRICK WILLS (Cleveland, No. 10), MEKHI BECTON (New York Jets, No. 11) and TRISTAN WIRFS (Tampa Bay, No. 13) – were chosen among the top-15 selections of the 2020 NFL Draft.

2020 is the third NFL Draft since 2000 in which at least four offensive linemen were selected in the top-15 picks, joining the 2013 Draft (six offensive linemen) and 2008 Draft (four).

ROLL CALL: Four offensive players from Alabama - quarterback TUA TAGOVAILOA (Miami, No. 5 overall), wide receivers JERRY JEUDY (Denver, No. 15) and HENRY RUGGS (Las Vegas, No. 12), and offensive lineman JEDRICK WILLS (Cleveland, No. 10) – were chosen in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Alabama joins USC [1968 – Pro Football Hall of Famer RON YARY (Minnesota, No. 1), MIKE TAYLOR (Pittsburgh, No. 10), MIKE HULL (Chicago, No. 16) and EARL MCCULOUGH (Detroit, No. 24)] as the only schools to have four offensive players selected in the first round of a single Draft in the common draft era.

DUO OUT WIDE: Alabama wide receivers JERRY JEUDY (Denver, No. 15) and HENRY RUGGS (Las Vegas, No. 12) were each selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Jeudy and Ruggs became the fifth pair of wide receiver teammates to be drafted in the first round of the same draft since 1967 and the first pair to both be chosen in the top-15.

Along with the selection of quarterback TUA TAGOVAILOA (Miami, No. 5) in the first round, Alabama became the second school to have a quarterback and two wide receivers chosen in the first round of the same NFL Draft since 1967, joining LSU in 2007 [quarterback JAMARCUS RUSSELL (Oakland, No. 1 overall) and wide receivers DWAYNE BOWE (Kansas City, No. 23) and CRAIG DAVIS (San Diego Chargers, No. 30)].

RAIDING THE FIRST: The Las Vegas Raiders selected wide receiver HENRY RUGGS (No. 12) and defensive back DAMON ARNETTE (No. 19) in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Along with their three first-round selections in the 2019 NFL Draft [CLELIN FERRELL (No. 4), JOSH JACOBS (No. 24) and JOHNATHAN ABRAMS (No. 28)], the Raiders are the 10th team since 1967 and first since the Cleveland Browns (five from 2017-18) to make at least five first-round picks in a two-year span.

2020 NFL Draft - 1st round results

1. Cincinnati

Joe Burrow, QB, 6-foot-3, 221 pounds, LSU

Strengths: Accuracy, poise and athleticism, plus the ability to command an offense. Weaknesses: Doesn’t have the biggest arm, but it will do.

Fact: The last time the Bengals drafted a quarterback in the first round was 2003, when they picked Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer first overall. Burrow is the third consecutive Heisman winner to be selected No. 1.

2. Washington

x-Chase Young, DE, 6-5, 264, Ohio State

Strengths: Prototype build and athleticism of an All-Pro pass rusher. Weaknesses: Could use more variety in his pass rush moves, but no reason why that won’t come.

Fact: This is the fourth straight season the Redskins have drafted a defensive lineman in the first round following Montez Sweat (2018), Da’Ron Payne (2017) and Jonathan Allen (2016).

3. Detroit

x-Jeff Okudah, CB, 6-1, 205, Ohio State

Strengths: Tall, smooth and physical. Plays well in multiple coverages. Weaknesses: Getting off blocks in run support.

Fact: Sixth time in seven years an Ohio State corner has been taken in the first round. First defensive back drafted in the first round by Detroit since Terry Fair in 1998.

4. New York Giants

x-Andrew Thomas, OT, 6-5, 315, Georgia

Strengths: Strong hands and the ability to play either side of the line. Weaknesses: Can get off-balance and heavy on his feet.

Fact: First offensive lineman taken in the first-round by the Giants since 2015 (Ereck Flowers) and third since 2013 (Justin Pugh).

5. Miami

x-Tua Tagovailoa, QB, 6-0, 217, Alabama

Strengths: Quick release, with excellent mid-range accuracy and nimble feet. Weaknesses: Coming off a serious hip injury.

Fact: First Alabama quarterback taken in the first round since Richard Todd in 1976.

6. Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert, QB, 6-6, 236, Oregon

Strengths: Ideal size and a good athlete. Weaknesses: Spotty touch. His passes often sail when he lets loose.

Fact: Herbert is the fifth Oregon quarterback selected in the first round since the merger, including three other top-10 picks: Akili Smith (1999, No. 3 to Cincinnati), Joey Harrington (2002, No. 3 to Detroit) and Marcus Mariota (2015, No. 2 to Tennessee).

7. Carolina

Derrick Brown, DT, 6-5, 326, Auburn

Strengths: Elite size and strength that demands double teams — which he can beat. Weaknesses: Agility could limit him as a pass rusher.

Fact: Sixth defensive player and third defensive tackle taken in the first round by the Panthers since 2012.

8. Arizona

x-Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, 6-4, 238, Clemson

Strengths: Maybe the best athlete in the draft. The perfect modern defender, capable of playing three or four positions. Weaknesses: Ummmmm?

Fact: After taking quarterbacks in the first round the last two seasons (Kyler Murray and Josh Rosen), the Cardinals go with a versatile linebacker for the second time in four years (Haason Reddick, 2017)

9. Jacksonville

x-CJ Henderson, CB, 6-1, 204, Florida

Strengths: Burst to make up ground. Weaknesses: Locating and playing the ball can be spotty.

Fact: Fifth defensive player in six year selected in the first round by Jacksonville.

10. Cleveland

x-Jedrick Wills, OT, 6-4, 312, Alabama

Strengths: Plays smart and mean.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal size.

Fact: Seventh offensive lineman from Alabama taken in the first round during Nick Saban’s 13-year tenure. First offensive lineman taken in the first round by the Browns since 2009 (Alex Mack).

11. New York Jets

x-Mekhi Becton, OT, 6-7, 365, Louisville

Strengths: Huge and nimble for his size. Weaknesses: Technique needs to be refined.

Fact: First offensive lineman taken by the Jets in the first round since D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold in 2006.

12. Las Vegas

x-Henry Ruggs III, WR, 5-11, 188, Alabama

Strengths: Elite speed and acceleration. Weaknesses: His game is somewhat limited but what he does well is hard to find.

Fact: Last wide receiver taken by the Raiders in the first round was Amari Cooper in 2015, also from Alabama.

13. Tampa Bay from San Francisco via Indianapolis

x-Tristan Wirfs, OT, 6-5, 320, Iowa

Strengths: Rare athleticism for his size. Ran a 4.85-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Weaknesses: Arm length is less than ideal.

Fact: Last time the Buccaneers selected an offensive lineman in the first round was 2006 (Davin Joseph). Last tackle was Kenyatta Walker in 2001.

14. San Francisco from Tampa Bay

Javon Kinlaw, DT, 6-5, 324, South Carolina

Strengths: Long, athletic and powerful as a pass rusher. Weaknesses: More tools than consistent technique.

Fact: Kinlaw is the fifth defensive lineman taken by the 49ers in the first round in the last six years.

15. Denver

x-Jerry Jeudy, WR, 6-1, 193, Alabama

Strengths: Smooth and polished route runner with excellent burst. Weaknesses: Slim build lacks strength.

Fact: Last wide receiver taken by Denver in the first round was Demaryius Thomas in 2010.

16. Atlanta

x-A.J. Terrell, CB, 6-1, 195, Clemson

Strengths: Tall and steady with excellent speed. Weaknesses: Lean lower body. Could be more aggressive.

Fact: Falcons take a cornerback in first round for first time since Desmond Trufant in 2013.

17. Dallas

x-CeeDee Lamb, WR, 6-1, 195, Oklahoma

Strengths: Game-breaking elusiveness after the catch. Weaknesses: Will have to develop quickness off the line to beat press coverage.

Fact: First receiver selected in the first round by the Cowboys since Dez Bryant in 2010.

18. Miami from Pittsburgh

x-Austin Jackson, OT, 6-4, 322, USC

Strengths: Long arms and light on his feet. Weaknesses: High upside, but very raw.

Fact: Starting with Jake Long in 2008, the Dolphins have now taken five offensive linemen in the first round, including four tackles.

19. Las Vegas from Chicago

Damon Arnette, CB, 6-0, 195, Ohio State

Strengths: Physical corner who plays the ball well. Weaknesses: Little stiff and not a burner.

Fact: Third cornerback taken by the Raiders in the first round since 2013, including Gareon Conley from Ohio State in 2017.

20. Jacksonville from Los Angeles Rams

x-K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB/DE, 6-3, 254, LSU

Strengths: Explosive and agile with speed to run down plays. Weaknesses: Injuries cost him most of 2018 and some of 2019 and left him with an unrefined game.

Fact: Jaguars have used all their first-round picks son players from the SEC the last four years.

21. Philadelphia

x-Jalen Reagor, WR, 5-10, 206, TCU

Strengths: Speed to get deep and shiftiness to turn short plays into long gains. Weaknesses: Can get pushed around in coverage.

Fact: The son of former Texas Tech star and longtime NFL defensive lineman Montae Reagor is the first receiver taken by the Eagles in the first round since Nelson Agholor in 2015.

22. Minnesota from Buffalo

x-Justin Jefferson, WR, 6-1, 202, LSU

Strengths: Dominated from the slot with great body control. Weaknesses: Size and strength weren’t tested much in LSU’s offense.

Fact: Jefferson replaces WR Stefon Diggs, who the Vikings traded to Buffalo for this pick.

23. Los Angeles Chargers from New England

Kenneth Murray, LB, 6-2, 241, Oklahoma

Strengths: Sideline-to-sideline playmaker. Weaknesses: Can fly out of position and into bad angles.

Fact: First linebacker taken in the first round by the Chargers since Larry English in 2009.

24. New Orleans

x-Cesar Ruiz, C, 6-2, 307, Michigan

Strengths: Solid build. Plays smart and instinctive. Weaknesses: Quickness is lacking.

Fact: For the second consecutive season the Saints select a center with their first pick, though last year they used a second-rounder to take Erik McCoy.

25. San Francisco from Minnesota

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 6-0, 205, Arizona State

Strengths: Dangerous after the catch. Weaknesses: Needs to play stronger in traffic.

Fact: Last wide receiver taken in first round by the 49ers was A.J. Jenkins in 2012.

26. Green Bay from Miami via Houston

x-Jordan Love, QB, 6-4, 224, Utah State

Strengths: Big and talented arm. Tall, smooth athlete. Weaknesses: Telegraphs some throws and will bail out of workable pockets at times.

Fact: First quarterbacks drafted by the Packers in the first round since they took Aaron Rodgers in 2005 at No. 24 overall to be Brett Favre’s eventual replacement.

27. Seattle

Jordyn Brooks, LB, 6-0, 240, Texas Tech

Strengths: Reliable tackler with good speed. Weaknesses: Not a natural in coverage.

Fact: Last linebacker taken in the first round by the Seahawks was Aaron Curry in 2009.

28. Baltimore

x-Patrick Queen, LB, 6-0, 229, LSU

Strengths: Speed and athleticism make him valuable in coverage or blitzing.

Weaknesses: Size makes him more of a chaser against the run.

Fact: First LSU player drafted by the Ravens.

29. Tennessee

x-Isaiah Wilson, OT, 6-6, 350, Georgia

Strengths: Ideal size and build. Weaknesses: Fundamentals and technique have a ways to go.

Fact: First offensive tackle taken in the first round by the Titans since 2016, when they took Jack Conklin, who signed with the Browns as a free agent this offseason.

30. Miami from Green Bay

Noah Igbinoghene, CB, 5-10, 198, Auburn.

Strengths: Recovery speed and toughness. Weaknesses: Converted wide receiver is still raw as a cornerback.

Fact: The 14th of a record 15 players from the Southeastern Conference selected in the first round. The previous record for one conference in the first round was 12, done twice previously times by the SEC and by the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2006.

31. Minnesota from San Francisco

Jeff Gladney, CB, 5-10, 191, TCU

Strengths: Quick and fierce. Weaknesses: Size could limit him to slot.

Fact: Third cornerback taken by the Vikings in the first round since 2015.

32. Kansas City

x-Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, 5-7, 207, LSU

Strengths: Shifty with great balance. Weaknesses: So-so speed, especially for his size.

Fact: Only running back taken in the first round and first running back selected in the first by the Chiefs since Larry Johnson in 2003.

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