2020 NFL Draft tracker: Instant grades and reaction

Our 2020 NFL Draft tracker will have the full list of picks along with analysis and grade on every player for the first two rounds.

Joe Burrow to Mr. Irrelevant.

The 2020 NFL Draft is finally upon us. For what feels like months, we’ve long expected the Cincinnati Bengals to take former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. Nothing has changed in that regard.

However, the intrigue below him has only grown by the hour. There’s talk about whether CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma), Henry Ruggs III or Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) will be the first receiver taken in what is thought to be a phenomenal class at the position.

As for the quarterbacks beyond Burrow, who decided to risk the medical history on Tua Tagovailoa and hope for the best? Who stakes their future on Jordan Love, the youngster from Utah State with immense talent but also with 20 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions as a senior? Finally, Justin Herbert. Which general manager makes the move to take the Oregon star?

Defensively, the edge rushers are thin early behind Chase Young and K’Lavon Chaisson. However, the cornerback class is very deep ranging from Jeffrey Okudah and C.J. Henderson to Kristian Fulton, Jeff Gladney and others.

As the draft progresses, we’ll have grades for every player selected in the first two rounds along with a few sentences explaining the letter. For the final five rounds, there will be a list format, allowing you to see which player went where.

Check back and refresh the page for all the grades and reaction throughout the 2020 NFL Draft.

Analysis: The easiest choice of the draft. The Bengals desperately needed a revival for their franchise, and Burrow provides it.

Grade: A+

Analysis: Young is seen as the consensus best player in this loaded class. The Redskins should have a quality front seven with Da’Ron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Ryan Kerrigan joined by Young. It’s a home run.

Grade: A+

Analysis: Another pick most pundits expected. The Lions needed to replace Darius Slay after trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles. Okudah does so, giving Detroit a potential lockdown corner to build their secondary around.

Grade: A

Analysis: After striking out with Nate Solder in free agency, the Giants needed to upgrade Daniel Jones’ blindside. Thomas provides that. He’s been consistently terrific in the SEC for three years, and should improve New York’s front instantly. However, Isaiah Simmons…

Grade: B+

Analysis: The Dolphins haven’t had a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino retired. However, they need Tua Tagovailoa to stay healthy. It’s a huge, franchise-defining gamble. General manager Chris Grier will be defined by this choice.

Grade: A-

Analysis: This is the classic reach for a quarterback. Few believe Herbert is the best player on the board, or even one of the top remaining. He has a great build and is surrounded by excellent in Los Angeles, but Herbert is raw. The Chargers could have landed an elite tackle here and taken a quarterback in the second round.

Grade: C

Analysis: Brown is a dominant force on the interior, and the Panthers were atrocious against the run last year. Carolina needs someone to build around in the trenches, and Brown is the premier player in this draft for such a need.

Grade: B

Analysis: Simmons is a phenomenal, off-the-charts athlete. The former Clemson star can play linebacker and safety, along with a little corner. Simmons gives the Cardinals the ultimate chess piece, and while tackle is a need, general manager Steve Keim can circle back on the deep class in the second round.

Grade: A+