Wide receiver is a popular pick for the Buffalo Bills in early 2020 NFL Draft mocks. Following the Senior Bowl last week, CBS Sports thinks that won’t change for the Bills.
However, there is a new name attached to Buffalo’s first-round pick at No. 22 overall. The selection is Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III.
Here’s how the pick is broken down:
John Brown can stretch the field and Cole Beasley can man the slot, but Josh Allen needs another downfield target. Ruggs is one of the fastest players on the Alabama roster and he’s a threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field.
In this mock draft scenario, Ruggs is the third receiver selected, with none going in the top-10 picks like many mock drafts predict. Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy go ahead of Ruggs to the Bills at 11 and 12, respectively.
Other top wideout prospects such as Colorado’s Laviska Shenault and Clemson’s Tee Higgins are selected after Ruggs.
Ruggs, a junior, did not suit up in the recent Senior Bowl. He’s also not the type of playmaker many peg for the Bills. He’s only 6-feet tall, as Buffalo could stand to use a taller threat.
Still, the Bills could use an additional talented player, in general, on offense and there’s a reason why Ruggs is touted as a first-round talent. He might not be tall, but he’s lightning fast as he ran a 4.25 40-yard dash at his Pro Day in March. At the combine, Ruggs will gun to beat the 40 record for 4.22, set by the Bengals’ John Ross.
Ruggs used that speed to average 17.6 yards per reception in his career at Alabama. Draft Wire also compliments Ruggs’ route running and ankle-breaking abilities.
Don't think he'll be on the board but the #Patriots might have a chance at Alabama's Henry Ruggs at 23. Blazing speed, start-stop ability, vertical threat, and YAC.
Eats up the cushion, sells break w/hips, explodes past the DB, turns it on again after waiting for the ball. pic.twitter.com/CLDxNM4yl0
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) January 27, 2020
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