Which first-round rookies had the highest grades in 2020?

2020 NFL rookie grades

The 2020 rookie class was an impressive collection of high-end skill players and quality defensive standouts, but it wasn’t without its underwhelming performers, too.

Detroit Lions first-round pick Jeff Okudah is an example of highly-graded prospects who failed to deliver in Year 1. He finished his first season with a putrid 48.1 grade from Pro Football Focus and was one of the worst first-round rookies in the league in 2020. Only Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen and Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette graded worse.

But this is a post about the league’s best first-rounders from this season. Here are the five highest-graded first-round rookies, as evaluated by Pro Football Focus, in 2020:

Justin Jefferson (WR, Minnesota Vikings)
2020 pick: 1.22
PFF grade: 90.4

Notes: Jefferson set an NFL record for the most receiving yards by a rookie with 1,400 and instantly became one of the league’s best playmakers. While some box-score numbers are deceptive, Jefferson’s 1,400 yards were legit. He’s a superstar and will go down as a massive steal from 2020’s first round.

Chase Young
Chase Young (Edge, Washington Football Team)
2020 pick: 1.02
PFF grade: 87.2

Notes: Young is everything the scouting community thought he’d be, even though it took him a little while to get going during his rookie season. Young finished 2020 with 7.5 sacks, including three over his final four games. Washington hit a home run with Young, who will soon be viewed as the most devastating game-wrecker in the NFL.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

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