2020 Draft Capital Breakdown

Every team in the NFL gets seven picks in the draft every year, but as we all know, it never shakes out that way. All GMs approach team-building from a variety of different ways. Teams like the Bucs are focused on winning now, while teams like the Dolphins are busy robbing Bill O’Brien of first-rounders and stacking picks for the future.

So, which team’s in the 2020 NFL Draft have the most and least amount of capital to spend?

Note: Draft capital is calculated using Jimmy Johnson’s trade value chart. It isn’t a perfect value system (it’s generally regarded as a bit outdated, though it was revolutionary when created), but it at least gives us a barometer of the most- and least-equipped team’s in the draft.

Teams with the Most Draft Capital

1. Miami Dolphins

GM Chris Grier has done a masterful job so far with the Dolphins rebuild. In total, he has traded for three first-round picks over the last calendar year (one from Pittsburgh, two from Houston) and it has given Miami the most flexibility out of any team in this draft, by far. Not only do the Dolphins have three first-round picks this year alone (5, 18, and 26 overall) and two more in 2021, Miami’s next three selections in the draft are all in the top-70 (39, 56, and 70 overall). Miami could trade up to get Tua Tagovailoa fairly easily and still be loaded with 2020 and future draft capital.

2. Cincinnati Bengals

It pays to have the No. 1 overall pick. The first pick in the draft is at least 3 times more valuable than the 16th overall pick and it is over 5 times more valuable than the 32nd pick. After the Bengals take Burrow, they have two more top-100 selections (at 33 and 65 overall).

3. Detroit Lions

What the Lions will do at No. 3 overall is going to be very interesting. Matthew Stafford was playing at one of the highest levels of his career before hurting his back mid-season last year, so I have found it hard to believe any rumors that the Lions are interested in Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert. At -140 odds (implies 58% probability), Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah is the most likely pick for Detroit in the betting markets right now.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags have made well-documented mistakes in the draft over the past few years, but they are certainly well-equipped in 2020. The Jalen Ramsey trade netted them No. 20 overall in this year’s draft -- they also have the Rams 2021 first -- in addition to their own pick at No. 9 overall. Jacksonville has a lot of needs on defense, most notably at EDGE, OLB, and CB. In addition to losing Marcell Dareus and Calais Campbell this offseason, stud DE Yannick Ngakoue likely won’t be around much longer either. The Jags’ most obvious course of action would be to use this draft to re-stock what once was the NFL’s most talented defense and sign one of the veteran QBs that are available to pair with Gardner Minshew.

5. Washington Redskins

It also pays to have the No. 2 overall pick. The Redskins would be very, very wise to consider trading down from their pick, though. Washington doesn’t have a second-round pick in this draft and only has one other top-100 selection (at 66 overall).

Teams With the Least Draft Capital

28. New Orleans Saints

The Saints are tied with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs for the fewest picks in the draft (5). New Orleans should trade out of their pick at 24 overall, but Mickey Loomis has literally never traded back as the Saints GM. Instead, Loomis has traded up 10 times since 2002 to get his guy. The Saints have been heavily linked to Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk in mock drafts. As a side note: I’m personally hoping the Chiefs make a “luxury pick” at 32 and take a running back, preferably D’Andre Swift or Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

29. Chicago Bears

Chicago doesn’t have its first-round pick because of the Khalil Mack trade. Still, Chicago has flexibility at the top of Day 2 with picks at 43 and 50 overall. Adding to the offensive line has to be GM Ryan Pace’s main concern in this draft.

30. Houston Texans

I feel bad for Deshaun Watson. And Texans fans. Over the last nine months, Texans czar Bill O’Brien has made a comedy of errors on the trade front, giving away his 2020 and 2021 first-round picks to Miami for Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills; he moved twp third-rounders for Duke Johnson and Gareon Conley; and even Cardinals GM Steve Keim swindled O’Brien for a 2020 fourth-rounder in the DeAndre Hopkins trade. Houston has just three top-150 picks (at 40, 90, and 111 overall).

31. Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen will need to take a big leap in Year 3, but it really feels like everyone is sleeping on the Bills. They are returning 5-of-5 starting offensive linemen and Stefon Diggs’ addition drastically raises their ceiling on offense. The defense could use another pass rusher and cornerback opposite Tre White, but they are stout otherwise. With Tom Brady out of the division, Buffalo is now the heavy favorite to win the AFC East. The Bills traded their 2020 first to Minnesota in the Diggs trade, so their first three picks in the draft are at 54 and 86 overall.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers

Trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick wrecked the Steelers’ 2020 draft capital, but I don’t think Steelers fans are sweating it. Pittsburgh is the only team with just one top-100 pick. However, if Ben Roethlisberger is healthy, Pittsburgh is very much built to win now. I’ll bet GM Kevin Colbert adds to the Steelers offensive line with their first pick of the draft at 49 overall.