Revisiting 2020 NFL Draft: Each quarterback selected ahead of Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts in loaded QB class

JUMP TO: 

• QBs taken in 2020 NFL Draft
• When was Jordan Love drafted?
• When was Jalen Hurts drafted?
• 2020 NFL Draft results

The 2020 NFL Draft was a fruitful one for sides seeking quarterbacking talent.

Not every QB selected across the three-day spell turned out to be a success. But the first five who heard their names called have, by and large, performed admirably under center, establishing themselves as marquee names in the league's marquee position.

They've been rewarded handsomely in the process, netting more than $1 billion in contract earnings between them. They also have plenty of hardware in their collection, from Pro Bowl appearances and Comeback Player of the Year nods to a Super Bowl MVP. 

So, just who were the first five quarterbacks taken in the 2020 NFL Draft? And how do their careers compare to one another? AllSportsPeople has you covered.

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QBs taken in 2020 NFL Draft

Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow was the quarterback — and first player — to hear his name called in the 2020 NFL Draft, vaulting to the top of the charts after claiming the Heisman en route to leading LSU to its first national championship since 2007.

The Cincinnati Bengals impressed as a rookie before tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 11. He returned to action in Week 1 of the 2021 season and instantly established himself as one of the league's best hurlers. Helmed by Burrow, Cincinnati reached its first Super Bowl since 1988. He was named AP Comeback Player of the Year for his efforts.

It hasn't been easy sailing for Burrow, who has struggled with injuries in the years since. But when he plays, he shines. In 2024, Burrow led the league in passing touchdowns (43) and passing yards (4,918), placing fourth in MVP voting in the process.

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Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa has achieved plenty of success in his professional career. Yet, he's also proven to be one of the league's more error-prone talents at his position. A one-time Pro Bowler who earned down-ballot MVP votes in 2022, Tagovailoa has generally performed well while tossing darts for the Miami Dolphins.

But his foibles and injury concerns can't be ignored. Tagovailoa has suffered a handful of concussions, robbing him of 10 games thus far.

Despite investing heavily in their offense, the Dolphins don't have much to show in the form of postseason success during Tagovailoa's tenure. Performances have gotten dimmer as the years have gone by, suggesting a change could be on the horizon.

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Justin Herbert

Carrying a 6-foot-6, 236-pound frame, Justin Herbert is the ideal prototype of a quarterback. He found life in his final two seasons at Oregon, amassing more than 6,500 yards and 71 touchdowns while leading the Ducks to a 2020 Rose Bowl victory.

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Herbert No. 6 overall in the 2020 draft. Charged with leading Los Angeles after Philip Rivers' retirement, Herbert enjoyed one of the best rookie seasons in league history. He broke the record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie (31) and became the fourth rookie QB in league history to eclipse the 4,000-yard plateau. He was summarily awarded Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Herbert remains one of the league's more captivating passers in the years since his selection. The Chargers have been felled by poor injury luck and dwindling returns in the wide receiver position at different points in Herbert's career. Yet, he continues to produce, confidently asserting himself as a worthy replacement for Rivers.

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Jordan Love

Jordan Love had to wait longer than most to get his chance in the professional game. The Utah State alum wasn't a sure thing coming out of school — he threw 20 touchdowns to 17 interceptions during his final year with the Aggies.

But his skillset — spotlighted by a golden arm, quick feet and a 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame — enticed scouts. The Green Bay Packers bit, selecting Love No. 26 overall.

He was relegated to clipboard duty for much of his first three seasons, serving dutifully as Aaron Rodgers' understudy. In 2023, the Packers parted ways with Rodgers, handing the reigns of the offense he built to Love. The then-25-year-old responded with a flourish, throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Love is more of a gunslinger than Rodgers, willing to take chances and sacrifice his efficiency in the hopes of making magic happen. At times, that can lead to costly turnovers. But he's proven to be just what Green Bay hoped he would when it brought him into its attack. His contract — which sees him make $55 million annually — reflects his value to his team.

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Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts waited until Day 2 to hear his name called. But he couldn't have gone to a better place to coax talent out of him.

The Philadelphia Eagles standout started four games as a rookie, filling in for Carson Wentz as the Eagles limped to a 4-11-1 finish.

He took the reins of Philadelphia's offense full-time in 2021. By 2022, he was one of the league's best QBs, leading the Eagles to a 14-3 record while accounting for nearly 4,500 yards and 35 total touchdowns.

Hurts has gone from strength-to-strength ever since. In 2024, he posted another sterling season before capturing Super Bowl MVP after recording nearly 300 total yards and three total touchdowns in Philadelphia's 40-22 beatdown of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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When was Jordan Love drafted?

The Packers selected Jordan Love No. 26 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Love enjoyed plenty of success across his Utah State career, including a sterling sophomore campaign that saw him throw for more than 3,500 yards and 32 touchdowns to just six interceptions.

But he lost his head coach, offensive coordinator and three leading receivers ahead of his junior campaign. He huffed and he puffed during his final year in Logan. But his final numbers left something to be desired.

Nevertheless, the Packers had faith in Love's tools. He's looked to have proved his employers right so far, emerging as one of the NFL's steadiest contributors at his position.

MORE: Ranking the best first-round quarterbacks, from Peyton Manning to Lamar Jackson

When was Jalen Hurts drafted?

The Eagles selected Jalen Hurts No. 53 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

His collegiate pathway was fairly unusual at the time — Hurts drew rave reviews at Alabama as a freshman and sophomore before being benched in favor of Tagovailoa in the 2018 National Championship game. Hurts played sparingly as a junior before transferring to Oklahoma, where he finished out his college career.

Nevertheless, the signs were there that Hurts could find big-league success. He tallied more than 5,000 yards of total offense with the Sooners, conjuring spells with both his arm and legs.

There were doubts about Hurts' ability to throw the ball in a professional environment. With a Super Bowl title, Super Bowl MVP and multiple Pro Bowl appearances to his name, Hurts looks to have assuaged those concerns.

MORE: Complete list of Super Bowl MVP winners through the years

2020 NFL Draft results