2020 NFL Draft: Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III scouting report

Scouting 2020 NFL Draft prospect and Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III. Could he get into WR1 talk?

Like his Alabama teammate Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III is a talented wide receiver with a ton of upside at the next level. Let’s dive into his scouting report to see what he does best and how his skill set translates in the NFL.

Name: Henry Ruggs III
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 190 pounds

Games Watched: LSU (2019), Auburn (2019), Duke (2019), South Carolina (2019), New Mexico State (2019), Oklahoma (2018), Clemson (2018)

Film Assessment

Route Running: Ruggs is more advanced in this area than this writer initially thought. He uses his linear speed to his advantage as a route runner and can stop on a dime at the top of the route. His ability to explode off of routes is very good, and Ruggs has the ability to run multi-breaking routes.

His speed helps him attack blind spots when corners bail and turn, which is important with hitch and slant routes and helps him working back shoulder. Ruggs also does good with his head and shoulders to deceive defensive backs.

Release: Henry Ruggs has great agility which helps him win with his releases quickly off of the line of scrimmage. He can sell inside or outside stems with a quick and decisive jab step and possesses the quickness to gain initial leverage in his stem. His short-area burst also helps with a speed release off of the line of scrimmage. Ruggs has the ability, but it still needs a little more refinement for the next level.

Hands: Ruggs doesn’t have any real drops on tape, which is always a big positive, though there are times where he lets the ball into his frame a hair too much. He has a bigger catch radius than initially expected, and when the ball is in the air in contested spots, he will attack the ball in the air well and tuck it away quickly.

Ball Skills: His bigger catch radius for his size shows up on film. Ruggs is much better in contested spots than advertised, with a couple of spectacular plays showing up on tape in 2018. He tracks the ball well overall down the field and high points the ball with great timing.

YAC/RAC Ability: The speed Ruggs brings to the table makes this area one of his best traits. He turns a five-yard slant into a 75-yard touchdown with ease and gives safeties a false sense of hope that they have the angle to make a play on him. His short-area burst also gives him an edge. Ruggs has a good level of agility to make defenders miss in space, and brings an element of toughness to break tackles and carry defenders a couple of extra yards after contact.

Speed: Does this area need to even be discussed? His sub 4.3 at the combine, along with his burst and long speed downfield, show enough.

Blocking: Pleasantly surprised with what Ruggs brings in this area. He squares up defenders really well and stays engaged. Effort as a blocker shows up as he consistently is looking to help out his teammates in any way possible.

Versatility: Henry Ruggs can operate in the slot at the next level if asked to with his crisp route-running skills, but his long speed and initial quickness off the line of scrimmage make him a perimeter wide receiver. His speed can be used on screens, sweeps, and in the quick passing game with drive/mesh concepts.

Play Strength: Plays through contact very well in contested spots, and uses hands effectively to cross the face of defensive backs on in-breaking routes and through press coverage.

Film Grade: 8.5/10 (First Round Grade)

Ruggs has the ability to win vertically but also on underneath routes. His elite speed and short-area burst make him a prime candidate to make an impact early in his rookie season. He likely is one of the top three receivers to come off the board, and after the combine, could go even higher. Keep an eye on teams like Arizona, Las Vegas, and Denver. Even the Eagles could trade up for him.