While it’s not clear what Henry Ruggs III’s role will be when the season opens in less than a month, it certainly feels like the Raiders are grooming him to become the team’s No. 1 receiver sooner rather than later.
After using the No. 12 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on the former Alabama star, Ruggs is being cross-trained at all three receiver positions during training camp. That, in itself, means that the team will be finding ways to get him involved in the offense.
But what kind of ceiling could Ruggs have in the Raiders’ offense if he ascends to the top of the depth chart? In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, Ruggs was named one of the best value picks in fantasy football leagues due to the potential volume he could see this season.
What kind of volume are we talking about? Consider this; since Jon Gruden has become a head coach in the NFL, his top passing target has averaged 133 targets per season. Here is the full breakdown of targets by season for Gruden’s leading receiver:
2019 – TE Darren Waller (117)
2018 – TE Jared Cook (101)
2008 – WR Antonio Bryant (138)
2007 – WR Joey Galloway (98)
2006- WR Joey Galloway (143)
2005 – WR Joey Galloway (152)
2004 – WR Michael Clayton (122)
2003 – WR Keenan McCardell (139)
2002 – WR Keyshawn Johnson (142)
2001 – WR Tim Brown (140)
2000 – WR Tim Brown (133)
1999 – WR Tim Brown (145)
1998 – WR Tim Brown (153)
While those target numbers have dropped off some in the past two years, it’s important to note that the Raiders have had a significant change in their wide receiver room since Gruden took over in 2018. Amari Cooper was traded. Jordy Nelson retired. And the team has cycled through a dozen other names in just the last two years.
Darren Waller will undoubtedly eat into Ruggs’ targets some this season as it’s fair to expect another 100 or so targets for the star tight end in 2020. However, it’s not impossible that Ruggs could see close to 120 targets as the team wants to utilize his speed in the screen game and on shorter routes.
Given Gruden’s history, he latches onto one receiver and feeds them endlessly. Don’t be surprised if Ruggs leads the wide receiver room in targets this season and for him to become a featured part of the offense early in the season. And if he sees that many targets, a 1,000-yard season is certainly in play for the No. 12 pick.
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