Las Vegas Raiders: Lynn Bowden the team’s most slept on rookie in 2020 class?
The Las Vegas Raiders went after playmakers early and often in the 2020 NFL Draft.
They opened up their 2020 NFL Draft class by selecting Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III, the fastest player in the draft and the first wide receiver off the board.
They followed up the selection of Ruggs by later taking Lynn Bowden Jr. and Bryan Edwards with back-to-back selections in the third round.
Most draft pundits projected Bowden as a wide receiver in the pre-draft process, so seeing the Raiders take three receivers with their top four picks was a bit startling. But the Raiders have other plans in mind for Bowden.
The most versatile offensive weapon in the 2020 class?
Bowden is a rare triple threat on the offensive side of the ball, a dynamic player as a receiver, runner, and even as a quarterback when called upon.
Although Bowden has been listed as an “athlete” since his high school days, he will make his NFL home with the Las Vegas Raiders as a running back.
There’s no doubt he will offer up the versatility to be split out as a wide receiver as well, though.
Bowden has speed and elusiveness in the open field with some of the best natural playmaking ability in this year’s rookie class.
It didn’t matter if Bowden was throwing touchdowns, catching them, running for them, or returning punts for touchdowns. This guy could have probably picked off a few passes or kicked some field goals if the Kentucky program had asked him to do it.
He finished his three seasons at Kentucky with over 1,500 rushing yards, 1,300 receiving yards, 1,900 return yards, and over 400 passing yards.
There’s no doubt his natural ability and willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win was what endeared him to Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock in Las Vegas.
It is going to be fascinating to see how the Raiders choose to deploy him. He’s got so much potential if he’s used the right way, and Gruden will have no shortage of plays he can draw up for this young playmaker.
In a draft class that was loaded on offensive skill position talent, Lynn Bowden stands alone as the most versatile weapon, and he’s certainly that.
The Raiders will work to get Bowden opportunities in the open field and he can be a high-impact rookie as the Raiders transition to Las Vegas.