2020 NFL Combine winners: Wide receivers

Examining the top on-field wide receiver performances from the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine opened their on-field drills with the tight ends group, followed by the quarterbacks and wide receivers for a combined workout. As always, the workouts begin with the 40-yard-dash, and when they shifted into position drills, we got to see a few new drills.

Let’s take a look at those who earned positive marks today.

Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State, 5-11.5, 205

A longtime favorite of Lions Wire, Aiyuk showed off his athleticism with a solid 4.5 40-yard-dash time and above-average explosion scores with a 40″ vertical jump and a 10-7 broad jump. On the field, he was one of the biggest winners in the gauntlet drill, illustrating his focus, balance, and reliable hands.

Denzel Mims, Baylor, 6-3, 207

The Lions value a wide receiver’s 3-cone time (measuring quickness/speed when altering direction) above any other measurement, with seven of their nine rostered receivers having run a time below 6.9-seconds.

Most of the top wide receivers skipped the agility drills at this year’s Combine, but among the 22 who ran the 3-cone, only Mims broke the 6.9-second mark, running a very impressive 6.66 seconds.

Add in Mims’ on-field performance and other Combine measurements, 4.38 second 40-yard-dash, 38.5″ vertical jump, and 10-11 broad jump, and it’s easy to see why he could end up being among the top wide receivers selected on Day 2.

Chase Claypool, Notre Dame, 6-4, 238

Rich Eisen made note of this fun fact on the NFL Network broadcast: Only two NFL Combine wide receivers (since 2003) have measured at least 6-4, 235 pounds, and run faster than a 4.45 in the 40-yard-dash — Claypool and Calvin Johnson.

Claypool officially checked in with a 4.42 40-yard-dash, but his other measurements were equally impressive, earning an elite score of 70 on the explosion scale (bench press + vertical jump + broad jump) — third-best among those who tested.

Expected to have already solidified himself as a Day 2 pick heading into the Combine, it’s fair to wonder how high his stock will rise.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan, 6-1.5, 212

Peoples-Jones measured out as the top wide receiver at both jumping drills. His 11-7 broad jump was incredibly impressive, but Peoples-Jones’ 44.5″ vertical jump was the second-best since 2006, third-best in NFL Combine history among the wide receivers group, and tied for seventh-best in NFL Combine history regardless of position.

John Hightower, Boise State, 6-1.5, 189

In such a deep class, Hightower is a name that has been overlooked for most of the draft process, but for the Lions, he could fill a potential longterm need. Hightower is a vertical playmaker with 4.46 40-yard-dash speed, solid jump scores (38.5″ vertical, 10-2 broad) who can also be an option in the return game. Last night, he displayed solid hands and body control, as well as positioning to snag catches despite their location.

Notes:

  • Henry Ruggs III (5-11, 188, Alabama) takes home the fastest wide receiver award after a blazing 4.27 40-yard-dash time, confirming what most already knew.
  • Jerry Jeudy (6-1, 193, Alabama) and CeeDee Lamb (6-1.5, 198, Oklahoma) should be the first two wide receivers off the board after making difficult plays look easy all night.

  • Devin Duvernay (5-10.5, 210, Texas) checked off the speed (4.39) and explosion boxes (35.5″ vertical jump, 10-3 broad jump) but his 3-cone time of 7.13 was lower than expected.
  • In addition to Ruggs, Mims, and Duvernay, three other receivers ran sub-4.4 40-yard-dashes: Antonio Gibson (6-0, 228, RB/WR, Memphis), Quez Watkins (6-0, 185, Southern Miss), and Darnell Mooney (5-10, 176, Tulane).