Louisiana State University quarterback Joe Burrow was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft as the league's key offseason event took place in virtual format.
Heisman Trophy-winner Burrow had long been expected to be the no. 1 overall pick, having led the LSU Tigers to an undefeated National Championship-winning season in 2019, and will begin his professional career in his native Ohio.
Despite reportedly receiving multiple offers to trade down, the Washington Redskins chose to hold on to the second overall pick and used it to select Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, widely considered to be the best prospect in the class.
Another Ohio State man, cornerback Jeff Okudah, rounded off the top three as he was selected by the Detroit Lions before the New York Giants sprung the first surprise of the night, selecting Georgia's Andrew Thomas at number four, one of six offensive tackles snapped up on the night.
The Miami Dolphins were not put off by the injury fears surrounding Tua Tagovailoa, selecting the Alabama quarterback at no. 5, before the L.A. Chargers made Oregon's Justin Herbert the third QB off the board with the sixth pick.
The Las Vegas Raiders used their first pick since relocating from Oakland to select the first of six wide receivers to go on the night but surprised pundits by opting for Henry Ruggs of Alabama over teammate Jerry Jeudy and Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb, who eventually joined the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, respectively.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers initiated the first trade of the evening, moving up to no. 13 to secure some protection for new quarterback Tom Brady in the shape of offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.
It took until the 26th pick for another quarterback to be taken, with the Green Bay Packers making the shock move of trading up to select Utah's Jordan Love as a possible long-term successor to Aaron Rodgers.
The Draft, which runs for seven rounds across three days and sees all 32 NFL franchises select a new generation of college football's finest talent, is being held remotely for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Usually attended by tens of thousands of fans, this year's event in Las Vegas was cancelled last month, with team personnel instead communicating their picks using virtual platforms and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announcing the selections from his home in New York.
The Draft continues on Friday night with rounds 2-3, before the final four rounds take place on Saturday.
First round picks in full:
- Joe Burrow (QB) - Cincinnati Bengals
- Chase Young (DE) - Washington Redskins
- Jeff Okudah (CB) - Detroit Lions
- Andre Thomas (OT) - New York Giants
- Tua Tagovailoa (QB) - Miami Dolphins
- Justin Herbert (QB) - L.A. Chargers
- Derrick Brown (DT) - Carolina Panthers
- Isaiah Simmons (OLB) - Arizona Cardinals
- C.J. Henderson (CB) - Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jedrick Wills (OT) - Cleveland Browns
- Mekhi Beckton (OT) - New York Jets
- Henry Ruggs (WR) - Las Vegas Raiders
- Tristan Wirfs (OT) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Javon Kinlaw (DT) - San Francisco 49ers
- Jerry Jeudy (WR) - Denver Broncos
- A.J. Terrel (CB) - Atlanta Falcons
- CeeDee Lamb (WR) - Dallas Cowboys
- Austin Jackson (OT) - Miami Dolphins
- Damon Arnette (CB) - Las Vegas Raiders
- K'Lavon Chaisson (OLB) - Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jalen Reagor (WR) - Philadelphia Eagles
- Justin Jefferson (WR) - Minnesota Vikings
- Kenneth Murray (LB) - L.A. Chargers
- Cesar Ruiz (C) - New Orleans Saints
- Brandon Aiyuk (WR) - San Francisco 49ers
- Jordan Love (QB) - Green Bay Packers
- Jordyn Brooks (ILB) - Seattle Seahawks
- Patrick Queen (ILB) - Baltimore Ravens
- Isaiah Wilson (OT) - Tennessee Titans
- Noah Igbinoghene (CB) - Miami Dolphins
- Jeff Gladney (CB) - Minnesota Vikings
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB) - Kansas City Chiefs
This story is being updated.
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