Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings might be the best wide receiver in the NFL today. However, during the 2020 NFL Draft, 20 other teams had the opportunity to select the future star from LSU, but passed on him. While some can look back and be happy with their selection, there are several who probably have buyer’s remorse. Let’s take a look back at the 21 players drafted before Jefferson… and where they are now.
Who were the 21 players taken ahead of Justin Jefferson in the 2020 NFL Draft?
1. Cincinnati Bengals – QB Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow was the consensus number 1 pick in the 2020 Draft, and it appears the Bengals made a wise choice. The quarterback has been a starter since his rookie season and has led Cincinnati to the playoffs in 2021 and 2022. The 2022 squad made it to the Super Bowl.
2. Washington Commanders – EDGE Chase Young
The second overall selection, Chase Young, has not lived up to expectations. He was the All-Pro Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection after his rookie campaign for Washington, but has not matched those highs since. While still flashing talent, Young has not caught on as a starter for Washington, San Francisco, or his current team, the Saints.
3. Detroit Lions – CB Jeff Okudah
Coming out of Ohio State, the Lions expected a lot of Jeff Okudah, who was listed as the best cornerback in the draft. He has yet to show that promise on the field, as Justin Jefferson did. Okudah’s early career has been marred by numerous injuries. He has signed a deal with the Vikings for the 2025 season, which will mark the 4th team in his 6th season.
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4. New York Giants – OT Andrew Thomas
With the 4th pick of the draft, the Giants got themselves a very solid offensive lineman. Despite missing some games due to injury, Andrew Thomas has been a starter on the Giants’ O-line since 2020. In 2023, he signed a 5-year, $117.5 million extension with New York, helping to secure the LT position for the foreseeable future.
5. Miami Dolphins – QB Tua Tagovailoa
Throughout the 2019 season, the chant in Miami was “Tank for Tua.” Tua Tagovailoa was supposed to be the long-term answer at quarterback for the Dolphins. That has not been the case. While he has shown his talent, the QB has had trouble staying healthy. At least three major concussions have led many to speculate that Tua may not be the solution in Miami. Justin Jefferson would’ve been a great fit.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – QB Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert, the third quarterback taken in the draft, has been the starter for the Chargers since winning the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. In his brief five years in the league, Herbert has proven himself to be one of the best young quarterbacks playing and the long-term answer under center for Los Angeles.
7. Carolina Panthers – DT Derrick Brown
The 2019 SEC Defensive Player of the Year for the Auburn Tigers, Derrick Brown, was drafted 7th overall by Carolina. A starter for the first 4 years of his career, the defensive lineman’s 2024 season was cut short due to injury after one game. He was recently signed to a 4-year, $96 million extension, so expect Brown to be back in the Panthers’ lineup in 2025.
8. Arizona Cardinals – LB Isaiah Simmons
Isaiah Simmons might be the most versatile player in the 2020 Draft. Entering the NFL out of Clemson, he could play linebacker, cornerback, defensive end, and safety. The Cardinals got themselves one hell of a player. Arizona declined Simmons’ option in 2023, and he was traded to the Giants. In 2025, Simmons signed with the Packers, while Justin Jefferson is still with the Vikings.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – CB CJ Henderson
For whatever reason, despite being a Top 10 draft pick, CJ Henderson has had trouble finding stability in the NFL. After spending his rookie season with Jacksonville, he was traded to Carolina early in his sophomore season. The cornerback spent 2021-23 with the Panthers before signing with the Texans. Henderson spent 5 months with Houston before landing on the Steelers’ practice squad.
10. Cleveland Browns – OT Jedrick Wills
There was no denying Jedrick Wills’ potential prior to the 2020 Draft. He was ranked as the top college prospect in the state of Kentucky and won several awards during his college career. Life in the NFL has been different. While the talent is there, Wills has dealt with some minor injury issues and inconsistency. As of May 2025, he is an unrestricted free agent, while Justin Jefferson is still with the team that drafted him.
11. New York Jets – OT Mekhi Becton
After a solid rookie season with the Jets in 2020, Mekhi Becton dealt with serious injuries, which resulted in his missing most of 2021 and all of 2022. He returned to start all 16 games in 2023 before signing with Philadelphia. The 2024 season saw Becton move to guard, start 15 games, and win the Super Bowl with the Eagles. In March 2025, he signed a two-year deal with the Chargers.
12. Las Vegas Raiders – WR Henry Ruggs
Henry Ruggs is another sad story. The wide receiver played 20 games over his first two seasons in the league, showing promise in a limited sample size. During his second season, while speeding and driving drunk, Ruggs caused an accident resulting in the death of another driver and her dog. He was charged with driving under the influence, causing death, and reckless driving and is currently incarcerated in Nevada. Vegas would’ve been better if Justin Jefferson had played for them.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OT Tristan Wirfs
Although he was the 4th offensive lineman selected in the 2020 Draft, Tristan Wirfs might be the best of the bunch. Since entering the NFL, he has started all 79 games he has played, is a 4x Pro Bowl selection, and has twice been named a First Team All-Pro. In August of 2024, the Bucs and Wirfs agreed to a 5-year, $140.63 million extension, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
14. San Francisco 49ers – DL Javon Kinlaw
The Niners drafted Javon Kinlaw with the 14th pick of the draft, seven spots ahead of Justin Jefferson. He immediately started 12 of the 14 games in which he appeared. Injuries in 2021 and 2022 led to him losing his starting role, although he did play in all 17 games in 2023. After reaching free agency, the defensive lineman signed with the Jets for 2024. Kinlaw has since signed a 3-year deal to play for the Commanders.
15. Denver Broncos – WR Jerry Jeudy
As a sophomore in college, Jerry Jeudy was named the season’s outstanding college football receiver. In his first 4 seasons with the Broncos after being drafted in 2020, he has averaged 53 receptions and 763 yards per season. After asking for and being granted a trade, the wide receiver made his debut for the Browns in 2024 and had a breakout season. Jeudy had 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and was named to the Pro Bowl.
16. Atlanta Falcons – CB A.J. Terrell
Prior to the draft, A.J. Terrell was ranked as the 6th to 8th best cornerback, but he was the 3rd one selected. Entering his rookie season, Terrell was named the Falcons’ starting cornerback, where he remains to this day. He has started all 78 games he’s played and recently signed a new 4-year extension.
17. Dallas Cowboys – WR CeeDee Lamb
It turns out that CeeDee Lamb might be the second-best wide receiver in the 2020 Draft, behind Justin Jefferson. In his first 5 years in the league, Lamb had 100+ receptions in a season 3 times, broke the 1,000 yard receiving mark in 4 years, was a first team All-Pro, and has been named to 4 Pro Bowls. In August of 2024, Lamb signed a 4-year extension with the Cowboys.
18. Miami Dolphins – OL Austin Jackson
It’s bad when a team misses with a 1st round pick, which the Dolphins may have done with the 5th pick, but it’s even worse when a team misses on two 1st round picks. Austin Jackson has started 54 out of the 56 games he’s played in with Miami. Sure, he’s been a steady presence on the offensive line, but that’s not saying much. The Fins’ O-line has been one of their biggest weaknesses over the last several years.
19. Las Vegas Raiders – CB Damon Arnette
After being selected as the 19th pick, Damon Arnette only played 13 games over his first two seasons. After a video was broadcast with Arnette brandishing a gun and making threats, he was released by the Raiders. Short stints with the Dolphins and Chiefs followed. He was arrested again in 2022 and now plays in the United Football League. The Raiders had a couple of chances to select Justin Jefferson in 2020. Crazy.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars – EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson
K’Lavon Chaisson might wear the badge of a 1st round pick, but in 5 seasons of playing professional football, he has yet to earn a starting position. After four unimpactful years in Jacksonville, the Jags declined the option on his 5th year. Free agency in 2024 brought the defensive end to Carolina and, eventually, Las Vegas. Chaissan is currently signed with the Patriots for 2025.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Jalen Reagor
The Eagles could’ve taken Justin Jefferson, but instead opted for Jalen Reagor. To say that Philadelphia made a wise decision would be laughable. After two unimpressive seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, he was traded to the Vikings. A year in Minnesota led to a year in New England, which led to a year with the Chargers, where he resigned for 2025. Think the Eagles regret their draft pick?
