The Green Bay Packers 2020 draft class was a pivotal one for the franchise. The cliché in the NFL is that you need a minimum of three years to give a fair grade to any draft class. Now, with three complete seasons under their belt, we have a chance to evaluate the class of 2020 with a more complete understanding of what kind of players they are becoming. Obviously, these grades are subject to change as the careers of these players play out.
Grades are based on the value of these players to the Packers. If a player had success after leaving the Packers, that is not given as much weight. The grades are based on a combination of expectations and performance, so a 6th round pick who has the same numbers as a second round pick will receive a higher grade.
Here is a look at the Packers draft class of 2020 after three years in the league.
Round 1: QB Jordan Love
The jury is still out on Love who the Packers traded up to select with the 26th overall pick. The former Utah State star did not see the field in his rookie season largely due to the pandemic canceling in person OTAs and the entire preseason. In the last two years, Love has made one start when Aaron Rodgers was sidelined due to Covid.
He has showed progress each year in limited opportunities. His one competitive game this year came in Philadelphia and he looked more decisive, confident and ready to play. His footwork has also improved since his rookie season and that was an area he clearly needed to work on.
Still, playing well on two drives in the fourth quarter of a game is a long way from proving you’re ready to be a quality NFL starter. Love clearly has the tools to play in the NFL but remains unproven after three seasons sitting behind Rodgers. Keep in mind that Rodgers was equally unproven after three seasons sitting behind Brett Favre in 2008 but the Packers traded Favre and went to Rodgers at that point.
GM Brian Gutekunst may turn to Love this offseason or Love may demand a trade rather than sit a fourth year behind Rodgers. So far, Love’s biggest contribution may be that the Packers decision to draft him lit a fire under Rodgers that helped him win league MVPs in 2020 and 2021.
Grade: C
Round 2: RB A.J. Dillon
Dillon was brought in to replace Jamaal Williams as the Packers between the tackles runner and after one year as the team’s third back he became one of the team’s two lead backs along with Aaron Jones.
The former Boston College star is big and tough. Not many defenders want to try to stop a 250-pound back coming at them with speed one-on-one.
Dillon rushed for a career-high 803 yards in 2021 and gained 770 yards in 2022 while scoring seven rushing touchdowns.
After a slow start, Dillon picked up his game in the second half of the season and scored six of his rushing touchdowns in a five-game stretch between Weeks 12 and 17.
Dillon has had a handful of games where he’s been the team’s top option but has mostly split time with Jones. He has showed some unexpected ability as a receiver although in 2022, he had a few drops late in the season.
Grade: B-
Round 3: TE Josiah Deguara
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur likes to use multiple tight ends and to use them in different roles. Deguara has primarily been used as an H-back or fullback. His main responsibilities have been lead blocking and acting as an outlet on check downs and short passes. His blocking grades have been average at best although his effort has never been questioned.
Deguara caught 13 passes for 114 yards in 2022 and has 39 career catches for 371 yards and two touchdowns.
He’s a workmanlike player who gives you all he has and plays a role on offense without establishing himself as a big-play threat or star.
Grade: C+
Round 5: ILB Kamal Martin
Martin played 10 games for the Packers as a rookie and started six of them. He made 24 total tackles including one sack and three tackles for loss. He also played extensively on special teams.
But the Packers had issues with Martin’s attitude and he was first moved to outside linebacker in training camp in 2021 and then released. He signed with the Panthers and played six games for them in 2021 before being waived by the team with an injury settlement in August of 2022. He was out of football for the rest of the season and is hoping for a return to the league before training camp.
Grade: D
Round 6: G Jon Runyan, Jr.
Runyan has been a real find for the Packers in the sixth round. After spending one season as a reserve who filled in admirably when injuries struck, he became a full-time starter in 2021. He has played all 34 games since then and started 33.
The former Michigan star has become a consistent starter who has played both left and right guard depending on the team’s needs.
Runyan has graded out better as a pass protector than run blocker but he has a good work ethic and plays a smart game. He needs to get a little stronger to become a better run blocker and take his game to an elite level.
Grade: A-
Round 6: OL Jake Hanson
The Packers were hoping Hanson could become the next Lucas Patrick and be a solid backup at all three interior offensive line positions and start when necessary.
Unfortunately, Hanson has yet to reach that level. He spent his first year on the practice squad before being injured and missing the rest of the season. In 2021, he saw action in five games but played just six offensive snaps and 13 on special teams.
In 2022, Hanson started in Week 1 while both Elgton Jenkins and David Bakhtiari were unavailable but he played poorly in the game against Minnesota and was benched for Week 2.
He played in six games but managed only eight more snaps on offense before an injury ended his 2022 season and he was placed on IR.
Hanson hopes to compete for a job in 2023 but has yet to establish himself as a quality NFL offensive lineman.
Grade: C-
Round 6: OL Simon Stepaniak
The Packers drafted the former Indiana star in the sixth round but he never played a down due to injuries he suffered in college. It wasn’t Stepaniak’s fault but he never contributed to the Packers and was forced to retire from football in January of 2021.
Grade: F
Round 7: S Vernon Scott
Scott spent two seasons with the Packers and played 15 games as a rookie that included 89 defensive snaps and more time on special teams. He returned in 2021 to play three games before being waived in August of this year.
Scott made 14 total tackles including one sack and two tackles for loss but never became a steady contributor on defense.
Grade: C-
Round 7: Edge Jonathan Garvin
Garvin played 14 games for the Packers in 2022 but recorded only eight total tackles and no sacks. He played 193 snaps on defense and was credited with just three pressures and one hurry all season.
Garvin’s best statistical season was 2021 when he had 15 total tackles and 1.5 sacks, both career highs.
The former Miami (Florida) star contributes on special teams but has yet to provide consistent pass rush to secure a role in the rotation at edge. Training camp will likely be his last chance to show he can earn a spot in the defensive rotation.
Grade: C+
Overall, this draft class has produced one starter in Runyan and two players with considerable roles on the offense in Dillon and Deguara. The jury is still out on Love who has now waited as long as Rodgers did when he was first drafted. The only players who are still with the team contribute mostly on special teams and in reserve roles.
Overall Grade for the Draft Class: C-
