2020 Draft Watch: Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III could be Cowboys’ next superstar

The Dallas Cowboys could be in play for the first-round prospect, Henry Ruggs III. Ruggs could become the next superstar of America’s Team.

The Dallas Cowboys are used to boasting quality quarterback play, keeping them competitive in the continuous hunt for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Competent coaching has come and gone. Offensive line play has wavered. Defenses have disappeared and reappeared from year to year.

Seemingly, the only other element consistent in Dallas is the presence of a star weapon to aid the offense. Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin dominated with Troy Aikman. Tony Romo reaped the benefits of Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, and DeMarco Murray. Dak Prescott has had the luxury of Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper. Great players at skill positions may vary by name, but remain evergreen in their presence. Looking forward, one prospect from this year’s NFL Draft fits the bill as the next Cowboys star offensive talent: Henry Ruggs III.

Ruggs has been considered one of, if not, the best wide receiver in this upcoming draft class. Dallas’ position in the draft order is fluid, with the murky NFC East still technically up for grabs.

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Ruggs’ talent, athleticism, and subsequent testing could land him inside the top ten come spring. However, in a class filled to the brim with impressive receiving prospects, a fall to the latter half of the first round is not only possible, but likely. Of course this may not be necessary now that the Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious from the disastrous Week 16 skirmish, but all possibilities must be examined.

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When it comes to a potential fit with the offense, Ruggs shines brighter, as his versatility and skill set could compliments the Cowboys nicely. Prescott’s deep ball prowess is well-documented, but the team has lacked a true vertical threat. Ruggs, for reasons mentioned later, can fill this role and maximize Prescott’s downfield play. In other renditions of future Dallas offenses, Ruggs’ ability to play as an X, Z, and slot receiver retains his value. No matter who is running the offense, play callers will look to get Ruggs touches.

Games Watched

Auburn (2019), Duke (2019), South Carolina (2019), New Mexico State (2019)

Strengths

Anyone paying attention to this year’s draft class has heard of Ruggs’ insane speed. Murmurs of breaking the combine 40-yard dash record have circulated, but regardless of their validity, there is no denying his speed. He may be the fastest player in the class, and it helps to sprout other strengths within his game. He demands a cushion and frequently, over the top safety help. Ruggs’ speed is game-breaking, much to the likes of Tyreek Hill. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the field and a target defenses are forced to prioritize. The Alabama product’s mere presence gives a boost to his offense.

Ruggs’ speed is put on display when stretching the field, as it is an easy bridge to cross to see him as an elite deep threat. He tracks the ball exceptionally well, a key component in maximizing speed in the NFL. Ruggs doesn’t need to catch the ball downfield to make an impact, however. By combining his speed with elite burst and exceptional agility, Ruggs can take anything to the house. His abilities after the catch are next-level. Whatever offense he lands in, manufactured touches will surely be the norm.

Beyond breaking the coverages of opposing defense, Ruggs also breaks the mold of your typical burner. Sure, he is faster than anyone attempting to cover him, and it is his biggest strength, but Ruggs is certainly a multi-dimensional prospect. This starts with his excellent hands. Technically-refined as a pass catcher and tough over the middle of the field, Ruggs compliments his speed with trustworthiness for any future quarterback to tap into. His hands help him play at a size bigger than his 6-foot frame. Similarly, he is much more physical than one would expect and he retains this physicality throughout the catching process, meaning he likely will not get bullied during his transition to the league.

Both as a route runner and with his release ability, Ruggs has seen sizable improvements over the past year. His best routes come from vertical stems where he is able to use his speed in harmony with his footwork on curls and comebacks. He has to be respected as a deep threat, and these particular cuts are sharp enough to create good separation. Throw in his stop-and-start prowess and you’ll find a dangerous target with the ability to capitalize off of leverage repeatedly. Likewise, his creativity at the line of scrimmage has seen a jump, mitigating press coverage meant to smother his speed. These skills may not be where they must currently, but they remain indicative of the upside available in a Ruggs acquisition. 

Weaknesses

While development has been seen regarding his route running and release, there is still work to be done. Ruggs frequently lacks sharp cuts on his shortest routes, relying solely on his speed to beat his man over the middle. At times, he struggles to navigate through the traffic of the middle of the field when crossing short of the sticks. As for his release, Ruggs remains inconsistent against bigger corners and those that are technically proficient. Teams with ample personnel may attempt to suppress Ruggs by pressing him at the line of scrimmage, and without adequate release skills, his speed can be contained.

Two other areas of Ruggs’ game that require improvement are his catch radius and body control. Somewhat hindered by physical limitations, Ruggs will never flash an incredible catch radius. At the same time, his full athletic profile and willingness to play vertically would suggest a catch radius that is not truly there. Some concerns lie in his ability to adjust to errant throws and manage the sideline. Ruggs doesn’t necessarily help himself or his quarterback with these facets of his game, but the physicality he brings to the table provides an encouraging outlook for these traits.

Moreover, the red zone may play host to struggles for the Crimson Tide standout. Typically, his jump ball engagements are rather impressive for a target of his size, but teams won’t trust him with goalline fades (a route/play that is severely overused anyway). He may receive touches behind the line of scrimmage, but his limitations as a horizontal separator in the red zone may stunt production in this part of the field, despite his athleticism.

Lastly, Ruggs showcases competitive toughness in his willingness to block. Unfortunately, his technique and mental processing lags behind in this regard. The play strength is there to make an impact as a blocker, but Ruggs is yet to truly refine this skill and make himself even more of an asset. His upside means that this most likely will not hurt early-career playing time, but his tendency to be a liability in the run game needs addressing.

Summary

All in all, Ruggs’ upside has made him all but a lock for his presence as a top-three wide receiver in this year’s class. Many have gone as far as to call him the next Tyreek Hill, without the baggage, making for an incredibly lucrative selection. His athleticism is more than comparable, and there is an argument to be made that Ruggs is a more refined prospect coming out. No matter one’s draft position, any team would be lucky to come away with a Henry Ruggs III selection.

As for Dallas, a playoff appearance may dim the lights on the potential for such an acquisition, but other factors keep Ruggs in play. For one, this team does not look to be a legitimate contender, despite impressive quarterback play and a generally talented roster. With a selection likely in the top twenty-four, there is no guarantee the speedster will be off the board. After losing on Sunday against the Eagles, theor odds in said sweepstakes are only improved. Thankfully, for the Cowboys, this wide receiver class is stacked with talent, as Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb join Ruggs as first round targets, but droves of day two talents may push them further down the draft order.

If Ruggs falls to Dallas, it is a hard argument to make that selecting him is the wrong choice. His athleticism and versatility make him a difference maker from a plethora of looks. On the current roster, he looks to be an instant-starter in the slot and an elite deep threat. If things shake out in an alternative fashion, he can step in on the boundary and retain his upside. Building on strengths has the tendency of making great units dominant, and dominate units run the league. With Ruggs on the roster, the Cowboys’ passing attack would do just that.

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