2020 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 wide receivers
By Andrew Kim
3
Henry Ruggs III Wide Receiver
Potential to be Wide Receiver 1?
There is a legitimate shot that Henry Ruggs III breaks the fastest 40 yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine (the previous record is John Ross at a 4.22). The 21-year-old Crimson Tide receiver was in a loaded wide receiver group at Alabama and played the role as the deep threat well. The Junior was a running mate to Jerry Jeudy, who I do have ranked above him but they bring different skill sets to the table.
Even though the 6-foot, 190-pound speedster never had over 47 catches a season and was short of 800 receiving yards each season. However, his impact on the field helps everyone else underneath. Ruggs can be an impact kick returner with his ability to just blaze past defenders with his otherworldy burst. In 2018, he amassed 11 touchdowns and showed solid contact balance and did track the ball well when he had the chance to (Alabama used him as a decoy many times).
Although he did not run a various amount of routes and could struggle with physicality in the NFL, Ruggs has the potential to and if he is not touched, he’s getting to the endzone. He will not be the best at contested catches but he would not have to as a pure burner in the slot (where he had more success but could play on the outside). Getting mismatches and more free releases will help him out early and Ruggs will most likely get drafted high due to his speed alone.
2
Jerry Jeudy Wide Receiver
The Fred Biletnikoff winner in 2018, Jerry Jeudy no doubt is the best route runner and is close to my number one receiver. The 20-year-old Crimson Tide receiver has been productive in a talented loaded receiver group at Alabama and was the slot receiver that was frequently relied upon. The junior can play on the outside as well and has some speed to boot as a route running technician. He is as polished as can be and with his production, he is one of the top receivers in this draft class.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound receiver had 68 catches and 1,315 receiving yards in 2018 and followed that year with more catches (77) but fewer yards (1,163 receiving yards) in 2019. Jeudy was still a consistent producer with touchdowns (14 in 2018 and 10 in 2019) as the Tua Tagovailoa injury this year dipped his production a bit (along with Henry Ruggs). He can be a volume machine in the NFL as he does have solid hands for the most part (suffered a decent amount drops this year compared to last year).
Jeudy will not be great at contested catches and he does not always play physical. However, that is not his game as he is a fluid athlete that plays like a pro right from the start. He wins with quickness off the line of scrimmage, his clean footwork in and out of his breaks, and how he sells the route that makes defenders look silly.
Jeudy is known for starting and stopping at a moment’s notice and will give any team a solid starter on the outside (where he can burn any defender if they are not careful) or in the slot (like “death by a thousand paper-cuts”).