Re-grading every NFL team's 2020 rookie class: NFC West
With the 2020 NFL season officially complete, theScore's NFL editors re-evaluate the performance of each team's rookie class.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Arizona Cardinals
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | LB Isaiah Simmons |
| 3 | OT Josh Jones |
| 4 | DT Leki Fotu |
| 4 | DT Rashard Lawrence |
| 6 | LB Evan Weaver |
| 7 | RB Eno Benjamin |
Notable UDFAs: RB Jonathan Ward, CB Jace Whittaker
Grade: D
It's never good when a top-10 draft pick struggles to even see the field. The Cardinals selected Simmons to be a jack-of-all-trades who could fit any role on defense, yet he played only 33.9% of the team's defensive snaps as a rookie. Sparse playing time was a theme for the rest of the draft class, too. Not one Cardinals rookie made a substantial impact in 2020. The only positive is that Simmons saw more action in the latter portion of the season.
Los Angeles Rams
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 2 | RB Cam Akers |
| 2 | WR Van Jefferson |
| 3 | LB Terrell Lewis |
| 3 | S Terrell Burgess |
| 4 | TE Brycen Hopkins |
| 6 | S Jordan Fuller |
| 7 | LB Clay Johnston |
| 7 | K Sam Sloman |
| 7 | G Tremayne Anchrum |
Notable UDFAs: RB/KR Xavier Jones
Grade: B
The Rams were again without a first-round pick after trading for Jalen Ramsey, and they compensated by acquiring a second Round 2 selection in the deal that sent Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans. Akers had to fight off incumbents Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown, but he eventually emerged as Los Angeles' lead back and the team's future at the position. Jefferson - the player selected with the pick from the Cooks deal - had just 19 grabs and one score in his rookie season. The star of this class was Fuller. The sixth-round pick was named team Rookie of the Year after recording three interceptions and 60 total tackles in 12 games.
San Francisco 49ers
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | DT Javon Kinlaw |
| 1 | WR Brandon Aiyuk |
| 5 | OT Colton McKivitz |
| 6 | TE Charlie Woerner |
| 7 | WR Jauan Jennings |
Notable UDFAs: RB JaMycal Hasty
Grade: B-
The 49ers could have done worse than landing two first-round selections as productive as Kinlaw and Aiyuk. Kinlaw was all over the stat sheet as a rookie, notching three tackles, 1.5 sacks, 19 QB pressures, and even an interception returned for a touchdown. He struggled against the run but showcased plenty of promise with his athleticism. Aiyuk, meanwhile, was an invaluable piece for the 49ers given the multitude of injuries they faced, particularly in the receiving corps. Selected 25th overall, Aiyuk led San Francisco in all major receiving categories with 60 catches, 748 yards, and five touchdowns. McKivitz started two games late in the year and played half the team's offensive snaps over the final two contests of the season.
Seattle Seahawks
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | LB Jordyn Brooks |
| 2 | DE Darrell Taylor |
| 3 | G Damien Lewis |
| 4 | TE Colby Parkinson |
| 4 | RB DeeJay Dallas |
| 5 | DE Alton Robinson |
| 6 | WR Freddie Swain |
| 7 | TE Stephen Sullivan |
Grade: D+
At some point, there needs to be a conversation about Seahawks general manager John Schneider's draft record. Over the last five years, Seattle has spent first-round picks on Germain Ifedi, Rashaad Penny, L.J. Collier, and now Brooks. There's not a star among the group. In Brooks' defense, he started the year backing up the likes of Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, and Bruce Irvin. His playing time ramped up by the midway point of the season, and he wound up recording six starts and 57 total tackles. Of the Seahawks' other seven 2020 picks, only Lewis - a Day 1 starter at right guard - saw regular playing time. Taylor underwent leg surgery in January, and a slow recovery kept him out for the entire year. Russell Wilson shouldn't be the only Seattle player upset with the team's roster construction.