We’re three rounds into the 2020 NFL Draft, and just like every other year, many teams are making their fans feel emotions at either end of the spectrum following their early picks.
Now that all 32 teams have had the chance to make at least one selection, it’s time to take stock of what each of them have done so far in this year’s draft.
Here are our team grades through the first three rounds:
Arizona Cardinals
Getting the No. 3 overall player in the draft at No. 8 overall is a fantastic start to any class, and that’s what the Cardinals did when they landed Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons in the first round. He’s a rare talent with the ability to play at all three levels of the defense, and he was a steal at that spot.
The Cards got another huge bargain with their next selection, landing an offensive tackle prospect in Houston’s Josh Jones that many had pegged as a late first-rounder. He gives Kyler Murray added protection, and was one of the biggest steals of Day 2.
Throw in the fact that they basically spent their second-round pick on arguably the best wide receiver in football thanks to the DeAndre Hopkins trade, and this draft is a huge win so far for Arizona.
GRADE: A
Atlanta Falcons
Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell was the first big reach of the first round, as the Falcons failed to succeed in their endeavors to trade up for their primary target at corner, Florida’s CJ Henderson. Terrell has intriguing physical tools, but his play was inconsistent at best on film.
The Falcons bounced back with a pair of solid selections on Day 2, addressing needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and getting decent value at each spot. Auburn’s Marlon Davidson is athletic, physical and disruptive at the point of attack, while Temple’s Matt Hennessy bolsters the interior of the offensive line.
Day 2 went much better for the Falcons in terms of matching need with value, but Terrell does have some upside. There were better corners that came off the board much later, though.
GRADE: C+
Baltimore Ravens
One of many already rich teams that only got richer through the first three rounds of this year’s draft, the Ravens got strong value throughout their early picks, filling positions of need with players who should have already been off the board.
LSU’s Patrick Queen gives them a fiery, athletic playmaker at linebacker, and Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins is the perfect fit to groom behind Mark Ingram in this punishing ground attack. Texas A&M defensive lineman Justin Madubuike was a huge steal halfway through the third round, while the elite speed of Texas’ Devin Duvernay gives them even more explosiveness at receiver.
Ohio State’s Malik Harrison was another fantastic addition at linebacker, and though Mississippi State offensive lineman Tyre Philips felt like a significant reach, it’s one the Ravens could afford after hitting on so many of their early picks.
GRADE: B+
Buffalo Bills
It’s hard for fans to get excited when your team doesn’t have a first-round pick, but it’s a lot easier when they get to have Stefon Diggs instead, and they their team follows it up with the Day 2 the Bills just had.
Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa isn’t the flashiest edge defender in this year’s class, but he’s a well-rounded prospect who should have been long gone by the time Buffalo’s first pick rolled around on the back half of the second round.
The Bills kept a good thing going by getting another perfect fit in the third round, adding a big, bruising running back in Utah’s Zack Moss to pair with Devin Singletary. A late, but great start to this year’s draft for Buffalo.
GRADE: B+
Carolina Panthers
Carolina had a fantastic scenario in the first round, opting for Auburn defensive lineman over Simmons, with both worthy options at No. 7 overall. Both would have been great value picks at positions of need, so it was impossible to go wrong either way.
Defensive end wasn’t a huge need in the second round, but it’s hard to argue with taking Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos at No. 38 overall, considering he could have easily gone in the first round.
Heading into the third round with needs at both linebacker and safety wasn’t ideal, but the Panthers managed to address them both with one pick. Southern Illinois’ Jeremy Chinn is a big, athletic and physical defender with the versatility to play either spot. They made bold move to trade back into the second round for him, but it was worth it.
GRADE: B+
Chicago Bears
Despite having literally nine tight ends already on the roster (even after cutting Trey Burton) the Bears spent their first pick of this year’s draft on yet another one.
That said, Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet was a potential first-round pick, and making him the first tight end off the board halfway through the second round was a bargain.
The better pick came just a few spots later, where Chicago landed yet another potential first-rounder, but this time at a position they actually needed to address. Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson has the size, length and athleticism to be the team’s best cover man sooner than later.
GRADE: B
Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals fans have to be thankful that there were multiple quarterback prospects worthy of the No. 1 overall pick this year. LSU’s Joe Burrow is coming off the best season a quarterback has every had in college football, and he’s got all physical and mental tools to transform this franchise.
He won’t be doing it alone, though. Clemson’s Tee Higgins was a fantastic addition at No. 33 overall, joining A.J. Green and John Ross in giving Burrow plenty of weapons at every level of the field.
Wyoming’s Logan Wilson is an athletic linebacker who fills the Bengals’ biggest need on defense. This class is off to a strong start, and so is the Joe Burrow era in Cincy.
GRADE: A
Cleveland Browns
When you fill your biggest needs with your top picks, and get strong value in the process, that’s a winning combination. That’s exactly what the Browns did through the first three rounds.
Alabama’s Jedrick Wills fills their biggest need at offensive tackle, LSU safety Grant Delpit was a huge steal in the second round after moving down a few spots, and Missouri defensive lineman Jordan Elliott was yet another prospect who should have been long gone before he was selected.
LSU linebacker Jacob Philips was a solid pick at the end of the third round, giving Cleveland four players who can make an immediate impact in their rookie seasons, all at positions of need.
GRADE: A
Dallas Cowboys
These A+ grades don’t go out very often, but Jerry Jones earned his with a fantastic first three rounds, getting top prospects at positions of need well beyond where they should have been selected.
Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was just too good to pass up at No. 17 overall, and the same was true for Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs, who was somehow still on the board halfway through the second round.
In the third round, Jones capped it off by grabbing Oklahoma defensive lineman Neville Gallimore, a disruptive interior force who had a strong performance during Senior Bowl week.
GRADE: A+
Denver Broncos
Denver started strong by stealing the best wide receiver in the class in Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy at No. 15 overall, giving their young quarterback Drew Lock another No. 1 receiver.
They followed up that pick with another receiver, and while it felt a little early for Penn State’s K.J. Hamler, his explosiveness and big-play ability was worth the risk. The Broncos got strong value in the third round, adding a big, smart corner in Iowa’s Michael Ojemdudia, one of this year’s best interior blockers in LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry III, and an underrated defensive lineman in Arkansas’ McTelvin Agim.
No linebacker or offensive tackle hurts, but there’s still plenty for Broncos fans to be excited about so far.
GRADE: B+
Detroit Lions
The Lions filled their biggest need with one of the best players in the draft when they took Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah at No. 3 overall, getting them off to a strong start.
Georgia running back D’Andre Swift was a surprise pick at No. 35 overall, but he’s a first-round talent who should have been off the board much earlier. He gives the Lions another dynamic runner for all three downs to pair with Kerryon Johnson.
They got help on the edge in the third round with another great value pick in Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara, and then traded up to land one of this year’s better interior offensive linemen in Ohio State’s Jonah Jackson. A solid haul so far.
GRADE: B+
Green Bay Packers
Easily one of the most puzzling draft classes across the league so far. After all the talk of helping out Aaron Rodgers at No. 30 overall, the Packers instead traded up for his eventual successor in Utah State’s Jordan Love. He’s a raw but promising talent, but the timing of this move is odd.
It didn’t get better for Packers fans, as their team reached for an old-school running back in Boston College’s AJ Dillon, a big, bruising runner who joins an already loaded depth chart at the position.
Cincinnati’s Josiah Deguara is an underrated prospect, but the Packers needed a wide receiver way more than they needed to spend a third-round pick on a tight end for the second year in a row. Still way more questions than answers here.
GRADE: D
Houston Texans
Another strange offseason under Bill O’Brien continues for the Texans, who ignored some of their biggest needs with the pair of picks they had on Day 2. With no first-round pick, these picks were even more important to hit on.
TCU’s Ross Blacklock was a great value at No. 40 overall, and fills a need along the defensive front following the departure of D.J. Reader in free agency. But while Florida edge defender Jonathan Greenard was also a solid value in the latter part of the third round, there were bigger needs that needed to be addressed.
The overall value was good here, but no first-round pick hurts, and there’s still no help at corner, tight end or along the offensive line.
GRADE: C+
Indianapolis Colts
One of a handful of teams without a first-round selection, the Colts made the most of their Day 2 picks to make up for sitting out the first 32 spots.
It started at No. 34 overall with USC wide receiver Michael Pittman, Jr. who is a perfect complement to T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell with his combination of size and physicality. The Colts then pulled a surprise by trading up in the second round for Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor, this year’s top prospect at the position.
It was Utah safety Julian Blackmon in the third round, but he wasn’t even the best safety available from his own team at that point (Terrell Burgess). That pick was puzzling, but the first two are big additions for Philip Rivers’ new offense.
GRADE: B-
Jacksonville Jaguars
If you look closely, you’ll see the pattern: Matching need with value at every slot equals high grades. The Jags have done that across all three rounds with four fantastic selections.
They landed two blue-chip defenders in the first round with Florida cornerback CJ Henderson and LSU edge defender K’Lavon Chaisson, then got an explosive playmaker in Colorado’s Laviska Shenault, Jr. in the second round.
Their awful run defense got a huge boost in the third round with Ohio State’s Davon Hamilton, giving the Jags four players who can make an immediate impact at positions they had to address early.
GRADE: A
Kansas City Chiefs
Despite bigger needs on defense, the Chiefs made a surprising move in the first round, making LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire the first running back off the board. He’s a perfect fit for their offense, though, making him a strong way to finish off the first round.
The second round brought Mississippi State’s Willie Gay, Jr., a speedy linebacker with off-field questions who fills a huge need. Their best value came in the third round with TCU offensive tackle Lucas Niang, who could have easily come off the board a round earlier.
Overall, a strong start for the defending Super Bowl champs, who have a bright future and a large window for winning more titles.
GRADE: B
Las Vegas Raiders
What a hit-or-miss start for the Raiders across the first three rounds. Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was an Al Davis pick from beyond the grave, with his rare speed and explosiveness, but the Raiders were far from done adding pass-catchers.
After reaching big-time on Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette at No. 19 overall, the Raiders came back with two more receivers in the third round, on back-to-back picks. Both South Carolina’s Bryan Edwards and Kentucky’s Lynn Bowden, Jr. are exciting prospects for their own reasons, but they felt like luxury picks the Raiders can’t afford just yet.
Their last pick in the third round, Clemson linebacker/safety hybrid Tanner Muse, should have come off the board much later.
GRADE: C
Los Angeles Chargers
The Bolts got aggressive in the first round, but they sat out all of Day 2 as a result. I’m betting they didn’t mind, though, considering the impact players they got early.
Oregon’s Justin Herbert gives them a franchise quarterback of the future to replace a future Hall of Famer in Philip Rivers. The Chargers then traded back into the first round, targeting a fiery leader for their defense in Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray.
Both of these guys have a chance to transform this franchise on both sides of the ball. Trading up for Murray was well worth the third-round pick they gave up, and Herbert should be ready to start sooner than later.
GRADE: B
Los Angeles Rams
Rams head coach Sean McVay just can’t help himself when it comes to offensive skill players, it seems, and that’s how his team spent both of its first-round picks after sitting out the first round.
Florida State running back Cam Akers is a complete prospect who replaces Todd Gurley well, while Florida wide receiver Van Jefferson is among the most polished and precise route runners in this year’s loaded class.
The defense got strong value in the third round with Alabama edge defender Terrell Lewis and Utah safety Terrell Burgess. Lewis could have been a first-round pick if not for injuries, and Burgess is a versatile, pro-ready defender.
GRADE: B
Miami Dolphins
Landing Alabama Tua Tagovailoa without trading up in the first round was a huge win, and one that could change the fortunes of this franchise for years to come.
USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson felt like a reach for need in the top 20, and spending a first-round pick on Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene felt completely unnecessary with both Xavien Howard and now Byron Jones making bank. Louisiana offensive lineman Robert Hunt at No. 39 overall instead of a top running back was a shocker, but Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis and Texas safety Brandon Jones were both great value picks.
I don’t know how on earth the Dolphins managed to spend all these picks without landing one of this year’s top running back prospects. Still, it’s quality haul that got the most important pick right.
GRADE: B
Minnesota Vikings
When you start like the Vikings did Thursday night, it’s hard not to finish among the top of the heap. Getting LSU’s Justin Jefferson as the fifth receiver off the board at No. 22 was a huge win for a team that just lost Stefon Diggs. Trading back and still landing TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney was equally impressive.
In the second round, Minnesota addressed the offensive line with Boise State tackle Ezra Cleveland, who many projected as a potential first-rounder. They doubled up at corner with Mississippi State’s Cameron Dantzler in the third round, a long and lean cover man who shut down some of the SEC’s best receivers.
There are still needs to address on Day 3, but the Vikings are knocking this draft out of the park so far.
GRADE: A
New England Patriots
After trading out of the first round, the Pats were loaded with Day 2 picks to fill a ton of needs. They still haven’t taken a quarterback, so it looks like they need to just surround Jarrett Stidham with as much help as possible.
Instead, the early picks were all on defense for Bill Belichick, starting with one of this year’s top small-school prospects in Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger. Michigan’s Josh Uche is another versatile defender who will excel in this defense, and Alabama’s Anfernee Jennings is a quintessential Belichick edge player.
Ending things on a double-dip and tight end made sense, but their choices were puzzling, given what was available. UCLA’s Devin Asiasi was a fast riser that made some sense, but Virginia Tech’s Dalton Keene was taken at least two rounds too soon, and ahead of some way better players at his position.
Grade: C+
New Orleans Saints
Barring any trades for players or future assets on Day 3, this is all Saints fans are gonna get from the 2020 NFL Draft. New Orleans traded all of their Day 3 picks, and even a future selection, to move around for the three picks they’ve made up to this point.
Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz was by far this year’s best interior offensive lineman, and at just 20 years old, his potential is limitless. He likely fits in at guard next to last year’s second-round pick, Erik McCoy. Trading up for Wisconsin linebacker Zach Baun in the third round could end up being a huge win, as many expected him to go in the first round, if not shortly after.
This offense needed a young tight end to groom, and Dayton’s Adam Trautman is one of this year’s most intriguing prospects at the position. It’s a skinny haul for the Saints, but they got plenty of bang for their buck.
Grade: C+
New York Giants
When you have a young franchise quarterback, you’d better protect him, and that’s why the Giants have spent two of their three picks so far on offensive tackles. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas was the most polished and pro-ready prospect in this year’s loaded tackle class, and UConn’s Matt Peart was a solid value at the tail end of the third round.
Sandwiched between then was one of the better picks of the second round, as the Giants landed the best safety in this year’s class, Alabama’s Xavier McKinney. He can bring what’s been missing since fellow Crimson Tide alum Landon Collins left town.
The Giants could have filled other needs in the third round instead of double-dipping at tackle, but it’s hard to blame them. The first two picks were both fantastic.
GRADE: B-
New York Jets
Needing an offensive tackle or a wide receiver, the Jets had a perfect scenario at No. 11 overall. They opted for the left tackle in Louisville’s Mekhi Becton, giving Sam Darnold his blind-side protector and banking on the depth of this year’s receiver class.
That depth came through for the Jets in the second round, where they traded back 11 picks and still landed a borderline first-rounder in Baylor’s Denzel Mims. They landed a pair of great value picks for the defense in the third round with Cal safety Ashtyn Davis and Florida edge defender Jabari Zuniga.
This was a strong showing across the board from the Jets, who got great value at every spot, and filled some of their biggest needs with blue-chip prospects who will make an immediate impact at key positions.
GRADE: A
Philadelphia Eagles
Much like the Packers, this is a strange class for he Eagles so far. Wide receiver was obviously their biggest need, but taking TCU’s Jalen Reagor over Jefferson was one of the more puzzling decisions of the entire first round.
Fast forward to the second round, and the Eagles ignore all of their defensive needs in favor of Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts. He’s a fantastic prospect and was well worth a selection in that range, but the Eagles need more help for Carson Wentz, not a young player making him look over his shoulder.
Colorado linebacker Davion Taylor made the most sense for the Eagles, as a versatile linebacker with fantastic athleticism who can make plays all over the field against both the run and the pass.
GRADE: C+
Pittsburgh Steelers
No first-round pick makes a Steelers fan sad, but just remember you have Minkah Fitzpatrick instead, and you should sleep just fine. It was surprising to see the Steelers pass on a top running back like Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins at No. 49 overall, but Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool is an intriguing prospect.
Claypool’s athleticism and versatility make him a fun fit here, and the Steelers have proven they know what they’re doing when it comes to evaluating wide receiver prospects.
Charlotte’s Alex Highsmith is among the most underrated gems in this entire draft class, and he gives the Steelers insurance in case Bud Dupree doesn’t stay on a long-term extension after playing on the franchise tag this season.
GRADE: B-
San Francisco 49ers
There was early action for the defending NFC champs, but then crickets after the first round. That’s okay, though, when you land two impact players at your biggest positions of need on each side of the ball.
The 49ers added an extra pick by moving back just one spot to No. 14 overall, replacing DeForest Buckner with South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. They then used that extra pick to move up from their second first-round selection, taking Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk at No. 25 overall.
The 49ers didn’t have a Day 2 pick, and they’re aren’t scheduled to pick again until the fifth round. Even so, quality trumps quantity for a team that doesn’t need much.
GRADE: B
Seattle Seahawks
Few franchises stay off the beaten path during draft season more than the Seahawks, who made a couple of picks that raised eyebrows early, to say the least. Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks and Tennessee edge defender Darrell Taylor both have some promise to them, but Seattle took each of them about a round earlier than they should have gone.
Their best pick came in the third round, when they landed one of this year’s best interior offensive linemen in LSU’s Damien Lewis. He’s an immediate upgrade at the guard spot, and Russell Wilson will quickly come to love him.
It’s another odd class so far from the Seahawks, but at this point, we should expect nothing less.
GRADE: C
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Few teams came into this draft with a more glaring need than the Bucs had at right tackle, and they gave up a fourth-round pick to make sure they got their man in Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs at No. 13 overall.
An early run on running backs in the second round left the Bucs empty-handed at No. 45 overall, but they got fantastic value in Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield, Jr., filling their biggest defensive need with a player who should have gotten strong first-round consideration.
Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn felt like a reach in the third round, but he’s a versatile back who put up huge numbers against SEC competition, and without a stellar supporting cast.
GRADE: B
Tennessee Titans
After losing Jack Conklin to free agency, the Titans desperately needed a plug-and-play replacement for him at right tackle. That’s exactly what they got at No. 29 overall in Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson, who went up against some of the nation’s best pass rushers as the Bulldogs’ right tackle opposite No. 4 overall pick Andrew Thomas.
The Titans hit a grand slam at the end of the second round, replacing another departed veteran in cornerback Logan Ryan with LSU’s Kristian Fulton. Fulton’s combination of size, length, athleticism and physicality make him a pro-ready player, as does his experience in press-man coverage against top competition.
Appalachian State’s Darrynton Evans is a perfect change-of-pace back to pair with Derrick Henry, and he was every bit worthy of a Day 2 selection. The Titans met need with value at every pick so far.
GRADE: A
Washington Redskins
When you get the best overall player in the entire draft anywhere but No. 1 overall, you get to call that a steal. That’s what Washington got at No. 2 overall with Ohio State edge defender Chase Young.
Young is a near-flawless prospect with Hall of Fame potential, and despite the lack of a second-round pick this year, Washington was wise to ignore any trade offers and just make this pick.
There were bigger needs at offensive tackle and corner at the top of the third round, but Memphis offensive weapon Antonio Gibson is one of the most versatile, explosive, and exciting prospects in this entire class. I can’t wait to see what he does at the next level.
