Most rookie receivers are eased onto the field by their respective teams. Often, they aren’t asked to be anything more than the No. 3 or No. 4 receiver on their team as they get up to the speed of the NFL. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that Henry Ruggs III will have that luxury with the Raiders.
Instead, look for the No. 12 pick in the 2020 draft to open the season as the team’s “X” receiver, opposite of Tyrell Williams. Ruggs will be a big part of the team’s offense this season and very well could lead all wide receivers in targets. But just how productive can the former Alabama receiver be in his first season in the NFL?
On ESPN, senior writer Mike Clay predicted Ruggs’ stat line for the 2020 season and the numbers were somewhat surprising. He has Ruggs catching 59 passes for 788 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 24 rushing yards. Here is a snippet of what he had to say about Ruggs entering the season:
The Raiders have a history of targeting speed at wide receivers, so it was no surprise when they selected Ruggs (4.27 40-yard dash) with the 12th pick of April’s draft. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound playmaker has great hands, ball skills and is exceptional after the catch. The Alabama product was limited to 55 targets in 2019, but his 13.6 YPT and 10.5 RAC were both top four in this year’s rookie class. Ruggs figures to operate as a perimeter lid-lifter and returner in the pros, which would be good news in the explosive-play department, but it could cap his target upside. That said, the Raiders have such a severe need at wideout that Ruggs is very likely to step right into an every-down role.
If Ruggs is able to come close or exceed that projection by Clay, that would be quite an impressive rookie season for the team’s new star receiver. Of all the receivers to be drafted in the first-round since 2010, only 10 players have reached 800 yards from scrimmage.
Expect Ruggs to be inconsistent from game to game, but for the rookie to have some bright moments and explosive plays. Given all of the opportunities he will receive with the Raiders this season, don’t be surprised if he leads all rookies in receptions, yards and touchdowns this year.
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