The consensus in the 2020 NFL Draft is that the Philadelphia Eagles will likely use their first-round pick on a wide receiver. It’s the deepest wide receiver class in years, and there are game-changers that come in all different shapes, sizes, and speeds.
Two of the NFL’s top personnel and NFL draft analyst weighed-in on what the Eagles needed most at the wide receiver position.
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah tossed two names out in space, Henry Ruggs or Jalen Reagor, with relevance to how they’d fit with the Eagles? Ruggs has been linked to the Eagles for weeks but could be off the board before Philadelphia picks at No. 21.
Reagor has been mentioned in NFL draft circles as a playmaker who could bring a much-needed boost to the Eagles deep passing game.
When describing the two playmakers who are similar in size and stature, both men believe the comparison isn’t even close when deciding which player would fit the Eagles best.
Jeremiah: I don’t think it’s close. Reagor is a good player. Ruggs is on another level. Ruggs is faster and has more reliable hands. Ruggs only dropped one ball this year. Reagor’s drop percentage was 12.5%. Either one would fit with the Eagles because they’re trying to get more explosive. Coming off of Nelson Agholor’s struggles, though, it seems like Eagles fans would be more comfortable with Ruggs.
Brooks: Ruggs is a more talented player. Both are explosive athletes but Ruggs is at another level. His pop and overall explosiveness are different.
Reagor finished the 2019 season with 43 receptions for 611 yards and 5 touchdowns. Those were solid numbers, but the not the All Big-12 stats many had come to expect.
A 5-foot-11 dynamo, Reagor has the speed to stretch NFL defenses and could give the Eagles an option in the passing game that they’ve lacked since DeSean Jackson was drafted.
Reagor is one of the better kick and punt returning options in the draft as well.
As for Ruggs III, he’s likely the most dynamic playmaker in the draft behind his teammate, Jerry Jeudy.
Ruggs averaged 18.6 yards per catch this season and 17.5 yards per catch during his three-year career at Bama with 25 total touchdowns.
Henry Ruggs III is the fastest person on Earth. pic.twitter.com/B40MAP90yX
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) September 15, 2019
Ruggs is more than just a vertical threat and his ability to make things happen with the ball in his hands gives him the best shot to be utilized like Hill in the Eagles offense.