In 2020, while the world was in lockdown, the NFL just kept chugging. The draft was held like most things in that year, online. While it was strange getting accustomed to the new format, what was even stranger, and far more difficult, was prospect evaluation. Most pro days were cancelled, and rankings for players coming out of college were all over the place. As such, looking at the results five years later exhibits how erratic this period was. So, why don’t we take a look at every team’s best value selection, to highlight those gems that went under the radar.
Arizona Cardinals: LB Isaiah Simmons
For the Cardinals, it’s a rough showing here. They didn’t really have any value selections from this year. While other bad draft classes have some good players, there’s no one who’s starting caliber for Arizona. Isaiah Simmons is the only one who’s close to being a rotational starter, but he’s not been worth the 8th overall pick so far in his career.
Atlanta Falcons: CB A.J. Terrell
AJ Terrell is among the top of the league in cornerback metrics. His career completion percentage allowed is bellow 60. Most notably, he was in man coverage at the second highest rate among all CBs in 2023. He rose to the challenge, and allowed a completion percentage of just 55.6.
Baltimore Ravens: DT Nnamdi Madbuike
A big part of what makes Baltimore’s defense so difficult to plan for is Nnamdi Madabuike. Madabuike is one of the absolute best pass-rushing DTs in the game. He’s logged 25 sacks in 3 years as full time starter. 8 of those sacks came last year, along with 56 pressures which was good for 4th at his position. As a player taken in the third round, Madabuike is one of the best value picks of this entire draft.
Buffalo Bills: WR Gabe Davis
Don’t let the current state of Gabe Davis’ career fool you, the former fourth rounder made an impact during his time as a Bill. Other than his 4 touchdown game at Arrowhead in 2022, he racked up 2730 yards receiving despite his status as a day three pick. Additionally, he was particularly effective at finding the endzone, putting up six 27 times in his first four years.
Carolina Panthers: S Jeremy Chinn
The Panthers defense was packed with talent after every pick of their draft was dedicated to that side of the ball. Their round 2 selection, Jeremy Chinn, was a major piece on their team. The versatile safety’s played more than 1,000 snaps at safety and outside linebacker, 389 snaps at inside linebacker, and 908 in the slot in his five seasons.
Chicago Bears: CB Jaylon Johnson
Inferior coaching has been the Achilles heel for Chicago’s stars in recent memory. However, Jaylon Johnson’s play is yet to be stymied due to bellow average game management. In his breakout 2023 season, his PFF coverage and overall grades were at the number one spot in the league, earning him a 4 year 76 million dollar deal to stay in the windy city.
Cincinnati Bengals: WR Tee Higgins
Tee Higgins was just one pick shy of being a first rounder. Regardless, it’s safe to assume he’s happy to be catching passes from Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. He’s a number one receiver, who is part of the elite duo formed by him and Ja’Marr Chase. His 2024 campaign helped the Bengals be the number 1 passing offense in total yardage with 4640. Additionally, he joined the aforementioned Chase in getting the bag this offseason, inking a deal that made him the tenth highest paid wideout.
Cleveland Browns: S Grant Delpit
Players at safety are often overlooked. That neglect is amplified for Grant Delpit, due to him playing for the down on their luck Browns. Regardless, he is a stabilizing presence in the secondary for Cleveland. He recorded career highs in tackles, TFLs and QB hits in 2024.
Dallas Cowboys: C Tyler Biadasz
Following long-time center Travis Frederick’s retirement, Dallas needed to fill the hole left by their former all-Pro. Tyler Biadasz filled that hole and then some. After a decent rookie campaign, he developed and helped the Cowbots o-line catapult to the top of PFF’s annual rankings in 2021. Since then, he’s proved to be a very capable starter, and now protects Jayden Daniels in Washington.
Denver Broncos: C Lloyd Cushenberry
Another center selection here. Lloyd Cushenberry took a bit of time to develop on Denver’s offensive line. However, once the game slowed down for him, he proved to be valuable for Denver. His 2023 performance was well-timed considering the fact that it was a contract year. In that season, he allowed just 1 sack and 14 pressures, earning him a top 10 PFF grade for centers. His latest season was cut short due to injury, but a bounce back is to be expected.
Detroit Lions: G Jonah Jackson
Detroit’s reputation as a team with elite blocking up front is thanks to consistent draft capital used on o-linemen. Their third round selection from 2020, Jonah Jackson, is an above average guard who did great for the Lions. He earned a pro bowl nod in his second year, and helped the Lions be one of the top offensive lines in 2023. While his Rams tenure didn’t go as planned, reuniting with Ben Johnson will give him the opportunity to rebound.
Green Bay Packers: QB Jordan Love
Love was the prototypical boom or bust prospect at QB. After he regressed in his last season at Utah, that uncertainty surrounding his potential led to him being taken with the 26th pick in the first round. However, Green Bay was the perfect spot for Love. He sat behind Packers great Aaron Rodgers for three years. Once he was handed the reins, he proved himself as a good starting quarterback. His selection relieved Green Bay of the QB carousel teams like the Steelers and Colts have endured.
Houston Texans: DE Jonathan Greenard
Greenard’s one of the more underrated young pass rushers in the game. His first step is one of the best, allowing him to speed by opposing offensive tackles with ease. In 2023, after sustaining an injury that sidelined him for nine games the year prior, he had his best campaign yet. He logged 12.5 sacks, 15 TFLs and 22 QB hits. Additionally, his 2.56 time to pressure ranked fifth fastest in the league. The former 90th overall pick continues to be excellent in Minnesota.
Indianapolis Colts: S Julian Blackmon
One of the biggest beneficiaries of this draft was Indianapolis. They had a particularly bountiful class despite lacking a first rounder. Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman and Julian Blackmon all became great selections from day two. Furthermore, Isaiah Rodgers is a solid rotational DB, who racked up 90 tackles and 3 interceptions as a Colt. Ultimately, Blackmon’s status as the 85th pick makes him the best value selection overall. He’s made 300 tackles and picked off the ball 10 times in his career. Moreover, PFF graded his coverage 73.5 last year, good for 23rd among all safeties.
Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Da’Von Hamilton
Completely contrasting their division rivals, the Jaguars had one of the worst draft classes in recent memory. Their saving grace is their third round selection, Da’Von Hamilton. Hamilton does not have much pass rush upside. However, he makes up for it with his run-stopping prowess. He’s stopped runningbacks cold in their tracks for a loss 15 times. Last season, he had 37 stops and 47 total tackles, good for seventh and fifth among DTs respectively.
Kansas City Chiefs: CB L’Jarius Sneed
A major part of what has kept the Chiefs dynasty chugging is their ability to find gems in the later rounds. L’Jarrius Sneed is one of those gems. During his Kansas City tenure, he and Trent McDuffie locked down opposing receivers, forming one of the best CB duos in the league. He batted down 40 passes and intercepted opposing QBs 10 times. His first season in Tennessee ended prematurely because of a quad injury, but with his track record, he’ll make waves once again.
Las Vegas Raiders: CB Amik Robertson
Amik Robertson was a fine find for Raider nation in the fourth round. Despite the fact that Las Vegas’ two first rounders caused this particular class to live in infamy, Robertson helped ease the pain of day 1. In his last two years with the team, where he saw time as starter, he did not allow a completion rate of more than 60%.
Los Angeles Chargers: S Allohi Gillman
It would be fair to put Justin Herbert here, who was selected following Tua Tagovailoa, a player that’s debatably not been as good of a pro as Herbert. However, way down in the sixth round the Bolts picked up Allohi Gillman. The Notre Dame alumnus has evolved from being a core special teamer to a starter at safety next to Derwin James. He’s got a nose for the ball, recording 5 picks, 18 passes defensed and 4 forced fumbles.
Los Angeles Rams: S Jordan Fuller
During the peak of Les Snead’s “F them picks” mentality, he still brought in good talent from the later rounds of the draft. From the depths of day three at 199 overall, he took Jordan Fuller. Fuller’s a solid option at safety. He’s lost a bit of time to injury, but has bounced back and continued to play at a respectable level. In 48 games with LA, he tallied 279 tackles and 7 interceptions.
Miami Dolphins: G Robert Hunt
While Miami’s weapons are touted as the biggest catalysts for their high powered offense, the big men up front are forgotten. However, seeing how Tagovailoa struggled behind a bottom ten offensive line, it highlights how important players like Rob Hunt were to this team. He’s an aggressive interior protector that excels in the run game. In Carolina, he paved the way for Chuba Hubbard with a PFF Run Block grade of 72.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson
Josh Metellus is among the best Swiss army knives in the game. He’s outperformed his status as a sixth rounder, and set the record for most defensive positions played in 2023. However, selecting the best wideout in the game at 22 overall is far and between the best value pick for Minnesota. Justin Jefferson is the gold standard at his position. He’s eclipsed the thousand yard mark for all five years of his career. Furthermore, in seasons where he’s been fully healthy, he’s yet to log less than 1400 yards.
New England Patriots: OT/G Mike Onwenu
The state of New England’s offensive line in recent memory makes it easy to gloss over how effective Mike Onwenu is. Regardless, the Patriots are counting their lucky stars they took the Michigan lineman in the sixth round. Otherwise, Drake Maye’s 11.1% scramble rate would’ve been much higher. Last year, the former Wolverine’s versatility came into play. He played 691 snaps at right guard, and an additional 329 snaps at right tackle.
New Orleans Saints: G Cesar Ruiz
Round six gave the Saints Zach Baun. Although, it’s difficult to set him as the value pick for New Orleans specifically, as his production in Louisiana came as a special teamer. As such, Cesar Ruiz is the remaining option here. He’s a good right guard that allowed just 13 pressures and 1 sack last year. He’s worth the first round pick the Saints used on him.
New York Giants: OT Andrew Thomas
When you take a player fourth overall, they need to be a long-term starter to be worth the selection. Andrew Thomas is that and more. While the rest of New York’s class didn’t have as much of an impact as Thomas, the G-men are satisfied that they got their franchise blindside blocker. Thomas, much like the aforementioned Mike Onwenu, is the key piece on this line that’s saving them from being the worst in the league. The only real flaw that could be attributed to him is his health, as he’s missed 18 games the last two years.
New York Jets: CB Bryce Hall
It’s another rough draft class for New York. At the least, the offensive tackle the Giants picked turned out to be worth it. Meanwhile, Mekhi Becton’s success came after he left the Big Apple for Philadelphia. Regardless, the Jets were able to find a decent player in the secondary with their fifth round pick. Bryce Hall started 26 of 39 games he appeared in with the Jets. In that period, he caught 2 picks and defended 21 passes.
Philadelphia Eagles: QB Jalen Hurts
Most second round picks at QB don’t have the knack for being franchise guys. Jalen Hurts is an exception to this trend. While his stats aren’t gaudy (other than rushing touchdowns thanks to the brotherly shove), he’s perfect for Philadelphia. He consistently puts his team in positions to win, and delivers when necessary.
Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB Alex Highsmith
Pittsburgh’s pass rush comes in waves. TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Nick Herbig and now Derrick Harmon form to create a fierce unit that excels at putting signal callers to the ground. Alex Highsmith rounds that group out. 35.5 sacks in his career is all you need to know to see his effectiveness. Add that on with 48 pressures last year despite playing 6 less games than his peers, it becomes clear why the Steelers consistently get to the QB even when TJ Watt sees constant double teams.
San Francisco 49ers: WR Jauan Jennings
After not making the team in his rookie season, seventh round pick Jauan Jennings made sure he’d never be left on the practice squad again. Since 2021 onwards, he’s had 1938 receiving yards and 13 TDs. Jennings’ true breakout came last year. After Brandon Aiyuk went down with a season ending injury, he stepped up. His 975 yards receiving along with 6 TDs were career bests. Additionally, he’s particularly effective in the run game, being one of the best blocking receivers overall.
Seattle Seahawks: G Damien Lewis
Similar to Miami, Seattle let a young effective guard they drafted on day two head to free agency. Following that departure, their blocking up front struggled, while the guard continues to strive in Carolina. The similarities between Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis are funny, but highlight how vital interior protection is for signal callers. Lewis is one of the best interior lineman currently playing. His PFF overall grade of 75.5 last year ranked him 17th among all guards.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Antoine Winfield
Like his father before him, Antoine Winfield Jr. Is an absolute stud in the secondary. An injury riddled 2024 were the reasons behind his last campaign not being up to his standards. However, there’s no denying his track record prior to the previous year means he’ll be back to form. Other than being a great tackler and very effective in coverage, he does damage when used on blitzes.
Tennessee Titans: CB Kristian Fulton
Tennessee was also a team whose draft was a meagre one. Isaiah Wynn is a contender for perhaps the worst pick ever, playing a total of just four snaps in his career. The rest of the class doesn’t fare much better, none of the players are still with Tennessee. The only starting caliber player is Kristian Fulton. Fulton isn’t anything close to a world beater, but he’s a solid enough corner that’ll keep stability at DB.
Washington Commanders: S Kamren Curl
Rounding out our list is Kamren Curl. Curl is among the very few seventh rounders from this draft to be a quality starter. He averages 103 tackles a year, and was used all over the place in Washington. Despite the fact that his first campaign with the Rams didn’t meet expectations, his tenure with the Commanders makes him a great value pick in the seventh round.
