Many of the top players in the 2020 NFL Draft appear to be out of reach as the Kansas City Chiefs sit with the last pick in the first round at No. 32. Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons will be long gone. Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah and Florida CB C.J. Henderson will have new teams before the Chiefs are even seen on the draft ticker. What about speedy Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III, though? Will he be out of reach for Kansas City?
In what NBC Sports’ Peter King calls the craziest rumor of the first round, the Chiefs are said to have interest in a move up for Ruggs if he falls in the draft.
“Chiefs want to trade up for Henry Ruggs if he falls into the twenties,” King wrote. “Insane. Do they want every sub 4.35 guy in the National Football League?”
A trade up in the first round wouldn’t be the most uncharacteristic thing from general manager Brett Veach. He’s traded up to select a player with the Chiefs’ first pick in the draft in each of the last two years. The positional need also makes sense as Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson are both set to become free agents in 2021. Remember, Veach is building this thing to last and not just for the 2020 NFL season.
The big question is will Ruggs be available? Ruggs has many fans in the media and some even believe he should be the top receiver taken in the draft. Will NFL teams feel the same? He could slide if he’s not viewed as that top prospect and we see a run on offensive tackles, cornerbacks and some other positions early.
Ruggs holds a 17.6 yards-per-reception average during his career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He doesn’t have the most production compared to some other receivers in this class with only 98 receptions for just over 1,700 and 24 touchdowns. His own teammate Jerry Jeudy surpasses him by over 1,000 yards with over 50 more receptions and two more touchdowns in the same amount of time. Still, Ruggs is pure speed and that’s something the Chiefs very clearly covet.
According to our trade value chart, picks in the 20s have a trade value that ranges from 850 points to 640 points. The total value of all the Chiefs’ picks in 2020 equals 1,038.4, so they’ll have to offer quite the package in order to move up. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a player or picks from next year packaged in a trade.
Then again, there’s always the chance that this is merely smoke and mirrors that don’t point us anywhere closer to the Chiefs’ intentions. Either way, it’s fun to think about Kansas City adding a player like Ruggs and having a track meet on offense every week.