To open the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected quarterback Joe Burrow out of LSU. To close it, the Kansas City Chiefs took his teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a running back, with the 32nd pick.
Burrow and Edwards-Helaire were just two of 15 players from the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference who were selected in the first round, a record-setting achievement for the SEC. The SEC broke its own record of 12 first-round selections, which was achieved in 2013 and 2017. (The ACC also had 12 first-round picks in 2006.)
On its own, LSU had five selections (Burrow, Edwards-Helaire, linebacker Patrick Queen, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson) while Alabama had four (quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., wide receiver Henry Ruggs III and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy).
The 2004 Miami Hurricanes hold the common draft-era record for most first-rounders picked from one team with six.
The conference is sure to be well-represented in the second round as well, as presumed first-round picks like cornerback Kristian Fulton (LSU), safety Xavier McKinney (Alabama), running back D’Andre Swift (Georgia) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (Alabama) were not drafted as expected.
The second and third rounds of the draft will be held on Friday night.
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