Don't give up on the 2020 NFL Draft class yet

Injuries have slowed down quite a few first-rounders from 2020. There's still hope that they can turn things round, though.

Earlier this week, teams had a decision to make about their 2020 first-round draft picks. The deadline to exercise their fifth-year options was Tuesday, and some of the decisions — Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson — were no-brainers. 

However, more players had their option declined than picked up, meaning they will be free agents after this season. 

I don’t like to call any player a “bust,” because, well, it’s rude. It’s also a misused description. Is someone really a bust if he’s simply not a perennial All-Pro? Or if his career is derailed by injuries that are beyond his control?

I also happen to think that for most players, three years is not long enough to make a firm declaration about their career. Some are just late bloomers or need to find a more favorable situation before they really put it all together— look at Geno Smith and Daniel Jones this past year. 

The 2020 class, which entered the NFL during the most hectic time of the Covid era, has had terrible injury luck on the whole. That, plus the expensive and fully guaranteed salary, can explain why so many teams opted not to use the fifth-year option this offseason. 

Even so, it’s much too soon to give up on the 14 players¹ whose option was passed up. Will it work out for all of them? No. But there is reason to hope that each one can still bust out — in a good way.

Chase Young, Edge, Commanders

Overall pick in 2020: No. 2

It blows my mind that anyone would label Chase Young a bust, but I’ve seen a few random Commanders fans suggest as much (that’s the NFC East for ya, I suppose). Young was a QB menace in his first year in the NFL. He led Washington in fumbles forced (4) and fumbles recovered (3) while coming in second in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (10) — the kind of production that made him the easy choice for Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

Since then, he’s only played in 12 games, including just three last season, due to an ACL tear that required reconstruction surgery. Because of his ongoing recovery and his costly fifth-year option ($17.5 million), Young is now entering a contract year. We know what he can do when healthy, though, so as long as he stays on the field, Young will have teams lining up for his services in 2024.

Isaiah Simmons, LB, Cardinals

Overall pick in 2020: No. 8

When Isaiah Simmons entered the draft three years ago, there were questions about which position he’d play in the NFL. However, there was no question that he was an athletic playmaker, as he proved from all over the field in college. 

That lack of a true position has hampered Simmons’ ability to live up to his potential in Arizona, though. He’s coming off a career year, even if his numbers — two interceptions, seven passes defended, four sacks, five TFL, and four QB hits on 81 percent of defensive snaps — still leave something to be desired. But let’s see how he does and what kind of role he’ll play in Jonathan Gannon’s system. If Simmons can find his niche, then he can remind everyone why he was such a highly sought-after prospect in the first place. 

C.J. Henderson, CB, Panthers

Overall pick in 2020: No. 9

Although C.J. Henderson came away with the first two picks of his Carolina career last year, he also allowed a 103.5 passer rating when targeted. That’s … not great. To be fair to Henderson, he hasn’t experienced much stability in the NFL. He was originally drafted by the Jaguars before he was traded to the Panthers early in his second year, meaning that as he heads into his fourth season, Henderson is already playing for his fifth head coach. 

Perhaps that’s one reason why he hasn’t met expectations yet. The good news is that 1) the Panthers declined to draft a cornerback this spring and 2) his new defensive coordinator is Ejiro Evero, whose specialty is the secondary. If anyone can get Henderson on track, it’s him.

Mekhi Becton, OT, Jets

Overall pick in 2020: No. 11

Not much went right for the 2020 Jets, but the future at least looked bright at left tackle, where rookie Mekhi Becton finished the year strong. Unfortunately, Becton suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 of the 2021 season, then injured the same knee before the 2022 season even began. 

His talent is undeniable. His health is what’s uncertain. This offseason, Becton is reportedly working hard to get back into playing shape, and once he returns to the field, he’ll have a better surrounding cast, quarterback especially, than he ever had before in New York. Becton can return to his late-2020 ways, at either tackle spot, if he can keep the injuries at bay.

Javon Kinlaw, DT, 49ers 

Overall pick in 2020: No. 14

Javon Kinlaw was supposed to be the 49ers’ long-term replacement for DeForest Buckner. While Kinlaw had his moments as a rookie, he was still developing as a pass rusher. Then, like Young and Becton, knee injuries robbed him of most of the past two seasons. 

You might think that the Niners’ addition of Javon Hargrave would spell doom for Kinlaw, but GM John Lynch insists that a healthy Kinlaw — which he finally is — will be part of the DL’s rotation. Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan want a dominant defensive line again. If Kinlaw can make his presence felt, he could parlay that into a new deal next year, either with San Francisco or a new team.

Austin Jackson, OT, Dolphins

Overall pick in 2020: No. 18

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a 2020 first-rounder had an injury setback last year and is looking to bounce back in 2023. This time, it’s Dolphins offensive lineman Austin Jackson, who has played left tackle, left guard, and right tackle. 

Jackson appeared in just two games last season due to an ankle injury, which is a small sample size to judge whether he has what it takes to be a starting right tackle in the NFL. GM Chris Grier is confident that Jackson can handle his business and benefit from another year of learning alongside veteran LT Terron Armstead. He has the inside track to win the RT job again this season, especially after the Dolphins waited to address the OL until their final pick of the draft.

K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge, Jaguars 

Overall pick in 2020: No. 20

Last year, for the first time in K’Lavon Chaisson’s young career, the Jaguars weren’t mired in dysfunction. Unluckily for him, Chaisson also dealt with his first major injury and missed half the season. 

Even when healthy, Chaisson hasn’t been able to make much of a difference as a pass rusher, notching just one sack in each of his three seasons. That could change in 2023. Jacksonville hasn’t signed a free agent edge rusher and didn’t draft one until Day 3 this year, despite the defense’s struggles getting after the quarterback last season. Coach Doug Pederson believes Chaisson can take a step forward in his second season under this coaching staff. Chaisson has the opportunity to help his team and himself if he does.

Jalen Reagor, WR, Vikings

Overall pick in 2020: No. 21

Jalen Reagor, who was drafted one spot ahead of Justin Jefferson, has been unfavorably compared to the young superstar receiver since their rookie year. When the Eagles traded Jalen Reagor to the Vikings last preseason, I was happy to see him get a much-needed fresh start with a new team, even if it meant that he’d be teammates with Jefferson and the difference between the two would be amplified.

However, Reagor wasn’t on the field much with Jefferson. He totaled just eight catches for 104 yards and one touchdown in his first season in Minnesota, where he was primarily used as a punt returner. The Vikings’ decision to draft receiver Jordan Addison in the first round could signal that they don’t have much faith in Reagor to turn things around, but he’ll get the chance to prove the doubters wrong. Maybe after spending an entire offseason with the team, Reagor can do just that.

Kenneth Murray, LB, Chargers

Overall pick in 2020: No. 23

Three years ago, the Chargers made two big moves in the first round: They drafted their franchise quarterback and then traded up for a linebacker. Justin Herbert has been what they hoped he’d be, but Kenneth Murray’s tenure in LA has been much rockier. 

Though Murray had flashes last season, he remains a work in progress. Perhaps playing with veteran Eric Kendricks, and trying to keep third-round pick Daiyan Henley below him on the depth chart, will be the motivation Murray needs to have his breakout season.

Cesar Ruiz, OL, Saints

Overall pick in 2020: No. 24

Unlike several of his 2020 draftmates, Cesar Ruiz had stayed off the injured list to begin his career — at least until December, when a foot injury ended his season and his team-high 31 consecutive starts. 

And like several of his 2020 draftmates, his play wasn’t consistent enough to justify a pricey fifth-year option ($14.2 million). Still, Ruiz had turned a corner in 2022 under OL coach Doug Marrone before he went on IR. If he can rebound from his injury and pick up where he left off, the Saints might choose to keep him around as their right guard of the foreseeable future. 

Jordyn Brooks, LB, Seahawks

Overall pick in 2020: No. 27

Jordyn Brooks saw the field early in his career, steadily earning more playing time as a rookie. He became a full-time starter the next year and led the league in solo tackles (108) and set a Seahawks record with 183 combined tackles. He was similarly productive in 2022, when he also became the defensive playcaller in the huddle. 

So why didn’t Seattle pick up his option? Well, Brooks tore his ACL in Week 17 and will almost certainly miss an early chunk of 2023, and $12.7 million is a lot to guarantee for someone who’s coming off that kind of serious injury. And though he’s a great tackler, he doesn’t disrupt games by forcing many turnovers or getting after the quarterback often. Yet if Brooks can recover well from his injury, then the Seahawks won’t let him go anywhere.

Patrick Queen, LB, Ravens

Overall pick in 2020: No. 28

While Patrick Queen had a solid first two years with the Ravens, he wasn’t a true difference maker until he started playing alongside Roquan Smith last year. In 2022, Queen led Baltimore in total tackles (117), solo tackles (79), and TFL (9), and was second in QB hits (14) and fourth in sacks (a career-high 5). 

Despite that, the Ravens drafted Trenton Simpson last week, seemingly Queen’s eventual replacement. The team can only commit so much money to the inside linebacker position, and Smith just signed a $100 million extension. If he can continue elevating his game in 2023, Queen will be set up for a big payday in 2024, even if it’s not in Baltimore.

Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Dolphins

Overall pick in 2020: No. 30

Noah Igbinoghene was expected to be a project when the Dolphins drafted him, but they were no doubt hoping he’d be further along at this point in his career. Last year, Igbinoghene snagged his first interception but appeared in just nine games — and not because of injury. 

In the last couple months, Miami traded for Jalen Ramsey and selected another cornerback, Cam Smith, in the draft. That doesn’t bode well for Igbinoghene’s chances of emerging as an everyday player, but if anyone can help his development, it’s new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs

Overall pick in 2020: No. 32

Due to various injuries, Clyde Edwards-Helaire has yet to put together a full season in Kansas City. The closest he came was in his rookie year, when he played in 13 games, led the team in rushing (803 yards), and was third in total yards from scrimmage (1,100). 

This past year, he lost his starting job to Isiah Pacheco and didn’t appear in the Super Bowl, despite being activated off of injured reserve in early February. Yet Chiefs GM Brett Veach raved that CEH is in “tremendous shape” right now and will be part of their plans as long as he stays healthy. He’s not durable enough to be RB1, but with his receiving skills in KC’s high-octane offense, CEH can still be a weapon out of the backfield. His body just has to cooperate, a common theme among the 2020 draft class.

1. Jeff Okudah, who wasn’t eligible for the option after he was traded, is not included. Nor is Jordan Love, who agreed to an extension with the Packers.