The 2020 NFL Draft is two months away and most believe the first receiver selected will be one of only two players — Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy or Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb. The Arizona Cardinals, who need a big-time receiver in their offense, could be the team to take the first receiver.
However, according to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, it is a three-player race to be the top receiver taken.
A third player could be in the mix, and he would make sense for the Cardinals.
That would be another Alabama receiver — Henry Ruggs.
“I firmly believe Henry Ruggs is in that discussion. I think it’s a three-man race to be the first receiver,” he said in his draft conference call last week. “I think he’s going to absolutely fly. Everybody knows it’s coming.”
Jeremiah expects Ruggs to run the 40-yard dash in under 4.3 seconds.
“He’s the closest thing to Tyreek Hill that I’ve seen, since Tyreek Hill entered the league and just looked like he’s been on a different speed than everybody else.” he continued. ” This kid does the same thing. He’s so sudden off
the line of scrimmage. It’s instant death for corners.”
The Cardinals used Damiere Byrd in that role last season and Byrd had success. But his talent level is on a completely different level than Ruggs.
He would fit what the Cardinals need.
“He’s just by them and it’s over,” Jeremiah said. “You can use him on the jet sweep stuff. You can use him on kickoff return. I love watching him as a gunner on punt. Shows just how tough he is.”
He was productive in a group of Alabama receivers that features four likely first-round picks when all is said and done.
“Some of the production doesn’t blow you away, but Ruggs only dropped one
ball,” he said. “A lot of times, when you get these speed guys, you get inconsistent hands. This kid’s got great hands and he can fly. Now, he’s not nearly as polished when you’re talking about his teammate Jerry Jeudy as a route runner. I am willing to bet if you went and polled the 32 defensive coordinators in the NFL, gave them the video of the top three receivers, said which of these guys do you not want in your division, I would be willing to bet a lot of money that Henry Ruggs would get the most votes. That’s the guy you do not want to face. That’s why I believe it’s not over who will be the first receiver. It’s not a two-man race; it’s a three-man race.”
Jeudy is the most polished and he can run. Lamb has a connection to Kyler Murray and has been the No. 1 weapon on a team and has still put up crazy numbers despite being the focal point of opposing defenses.
But Ruggs might be the wild card.
If the Cardinals decide to draft a receiver with the eighth overall pick, could Ruggs be the guy?
It is early, but no one should count him out.
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Ep. 258
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Ep. 257
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