- LSU stars shine: LSU superstars Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson prepared the ground at their respective positions.
- Zack Baun was a late bloomer: Baun is the highest-graded linebacker within the 2020 class, regardless of his late breakout as a first-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2024.
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Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
We’re lower than two weeks off the 2025 NFL Draft, and because the pleasure and rigidity surrounding the spectacle proceed to succeed in a boiling level, we stay up for when the gamers take the sphere in earnest.
For now, we’re trying again on the 2020 NFL Draft and analyzing the highest-graded participant at each place.
QB: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (94.8)
Burrow has rightfully earned his seat on the desk of elite quarterbacks within the NFL. The former No. 1 choose has modified the Bengals’ fortunes since 2020, main the staff to 4 consecutive successful seasons and a Super Bowl look in 2021, although Cincinnati hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2022.
In his 5 seasons within the NFL, Burrow has earned a 94.8 PFF total grade and accomplished 68.6% of his go makes an attempt for 19,001 yards and 140 landing passes. His composure within the pocket, in addition to his elite anticipation and accuracy, has made him some of the beneficial gamers within the NFL.
Highest-Graded QBs in 2024 | Regular Season and Playoffs
RB: AJ Dillon, Philadelphia Eagles (91.1)
A neck harm lower Dillon’s 2024 season quick earlier than it even started, however earlier than that, he was a part of one of many NFL’s prime backfields alongside Aaron Jones with the Green Bay Packers. Dillon has by no means rushed for greater than 803 yards in a season however averaged 4.6 yards per carry in his first three NFL campaigns whereas including 14 touchdowns on the bottom and two as a receiver.
His 91.1 PFF total grade since 2020 is comfortably the very best amongst all operating backs drafted in 2020 — a category that featured Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Dillon signed with the Philadelphia Eagles forward of the 2025 season, hoping to seek out his place deputizing Saquon Barkley.
WR: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (93.5)
No matter the way you spin it, Jefferson is on the quick observe to greatness. The Vikings receiver has earned a 93.5 PFF total grade by means of 5 seasons and at the moment has extra receiving yards per recreation than every other receiver in NFL historical past (96.5). Jefferson has been the fulcrum of Minnesota’s offense since he stepped into the constructing in 2020, with 495 catches, 7,432 yards and 40 receiving touchdowns by means of 77 profession video games.
The 2020 vast receiver class was star-studded, that includes Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins and Brandon Aiyuk, however Jefferson has been, far and away, the perfect receiver of the group.
TE: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (67.7)
The 2020 tight finish class hasn’t produced many contributors, with solely 5 tight ends enjoying greater than 1,300 snaps in 5 seasons, however Cole Kmet, who has performed extra snaps than every other tight finish within the class, leads the best way with a 67.7 profession PFF total grade. Kmet earned a career-high 73.7 PFF overallgrade in 2023, catching a career-high 73 passes for 719 yards and 6 touchdowns, however his manufacturing dropped in Caleb Williams’ first season beneath middle (60.6 PFF total grade).
The Bears’ current additions at vast receiver — D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze previously 12 months — have naturally pushed Kmet down the pecking order, however with Ben Johnson now on the helm and tight ends enjoying a major a part of his offense, there’s an opportunity for Kmet’s position to develop as soon as once more.
T: Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (91.2)
Wirfs was considered one of six offensive tackles drafted within the first spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft, and the fourth off the board behind Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills Jr.,and Mekhi Becton. In his 5 NFL seasons, Wirfs has by no means earned a PFF total grade beneath 82.5, and his 91.2 mark since 2020 leads all tackles.
He has earned two first-team All-Pro nods in 5 seasons and efficiently made the swap from proper sort out to left sort out over the previous two seasons. Wirfs allowed simply 13 pressures and nil sacks in 2024, and his 94.1 PFF pass-blocking grade led the NFL.
G: Mike Onwenu, New England Patriots (79.6)
Fifteen guards who had been drafted in 2020 have gone on to play greater than 1,150 snaps, highlighting the truth that there have been a variety of succesful contributors within the class. However, it’s the Patriots’ Mike Onwenu who has earned the very best grade among the many group (79.6).
Onwenu has been a flexible piece for the Patriots, enjoying snaps at left guard and proper sort out, earlier than lastly settling on the proper guard spot. He earned a career-low 65.5 PFF total grade in 2024 as a part of one of many worst offensive strains within the NFL, however he has allowed only a 3.9% stress fee in his 5 NFL seasons — the Fifteenth-lowest clip amongst guards in that span.
C: Aaron Brewer, Miami Dolphins (76.2)
Brewer wasn’t a constant starter for the Titans till his third season within the league, and even then, he began all 17 video games at left guard as an alternative of middle. It wasn’t till his ultimate season with the staff that he shifted again to middle, and that’s the place he at the moment resides for the Dolphins. He allowed simply 14 pressures in his first season with Miami, incomes a career-high 70.2 PFF pass-blocking grade and a 73.8 PFF run-blocking grade.
The 2020 class produced 4 facilities who’ve gone on to play important snaps previously 5 seasons, nevertheless it’s Brewer — the late bloomer — who has earned the very best grade on the place. The Dolphins added some high-potential offensive linemen within the 2025 NFL Draft, so Brewer might should acclimate to a new-look unit this season.
DI: Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers (84.3)
There must be little shock that Brown is the highest-graded defensive sort out from the 2020 NFL Draft. The Panthers made him the No. 7 choose and the second defensive participant off the board. Expectations had been excessive, and Brown has delivered the products after 5 seasons, incomes an 84.3 PFF total grade.
Brown performed in only one recreation for the Panthers in 2024 earlier than struggling a meniscus harm that ended his season. But he earned a 90.1 PFF total grade in 2023 and tallied a career-high 41 pressures. Brown had earned his weight in gold as a superb run stuffer, however his progress as a go rusher has amplified his value.
EDGE: Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers (90.0)
Highsmith was a third-round choose for the Steelers, who paired him with T.J. Watt, probably the greatest edge rushers within the NFL. Highsmith and Watt have turn into, arguably, the highest edge-rushing duo within the league. The former Charlotte 49er has earned a 90.0 PFF total grade over 5 seasons and added 240 pressures, together with 181 previously three seasons.
His play earned him a four-year, $68 million extension with the Steelers. With back-to-back PFF pass-rushing grades of over 85.0, Highsmith has turn into a family identify whereas sporting the black and gold.
LB: Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles (80.5)
Baun was one of many fairytale tales of the 2024 season. The former third-round choose for the Saints struggled in his 4 seasons in New Orleans however was a core member of the particular groups unit whereas splitting snaps between the sting and linebacker. Baun signed with the Eagles on a one-year deal in 2024, transitioned to linebacker full time and broke out on the league’s greatest protection.
The Wisconsin product ended the season as a first-team All-Pro choice whereas ending fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and his 90.1 PFF total grade ranked first amongst linebackers. The 2020 NFL Draft featured an array of linebackers who’ve gone on to achieve success within the league, however Baun, with an 80.5 PFF total grade and a late breakout, sits atop the record.
CB: Isaiah Rodgers, Minnesota Vikings (83.0)
Rodgers was a redemption story of types in 2024. The former sixth-round choose was suspended for your complete 2023 season after violating the league’s playing coverage and was picked up by the Eagles earlier than the beginning of the marketing campaign. He was reinstated forward of the 2024 season and was a key contributor for the Eagles on their highway to the Super Bowl.
Despite the likes of A.J. Terrell and Jaylon Johnson that includes within the 2021 draft class, Rodgers edges them out for the highest spot. He earned a 73.2 PFF total grade in 2024 and has two seasons with a PFF total grade over 82.0.
S: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers (90.6)
Winfield was an All-Pro choice at security in 2023, incomes a 91.5 PFF total grade — the very best amongst safeties, however his play declined in 2024, partially on account of lacking eight video games with a knee harm. His 56.8 PFF total grade in 2024 was a profession low and ranked 73rd out of 98 safeties, however Winfield’s constantly sturdy play within the first 4 seasons of his profession means he’s the highest-graded security within the 2020 class.
Winfield has confirmed to be a big-play machine within the secondary whereas additionally exhibiting that he can rush the passer, tallying 16 pressures in 2023. He’ll seemingly be again to his greatest in 2025, reaffirming his standing as probably the greatest safeties within the league.