Who is the better wide receiver, Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs III? It’s a question that many asked last season, leading up to the NFL Draft, and seem to continue to be a question still being asked today. And according to Nick Saban, it’s a question with no definite answer.
“I think it’s a matter of personal preference, choice, whatever you want to call it,” Saban told NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano Wednesday on NFL Now. “I think receivers are a little bit like a basketball team, you got a point guard, you got a two-guard, you got a swing forward, you got a power forward, they’re all different but they’re all very critical to being successful as a team.”
So, if your personal preference was to have a speed receiver then Henry Ruggs is probably as good as it gets. If you wanted somebody whose a little more of a finesse type player, great slot receiver, good option route runner than you probably would favor Jerry Jeudy.”
Statistically, both shined at Alabama, especially last season.
Last season, Ruggs recorded an impressive 40 receptions for 746 yards and 7 TDs. In his career at Alabama, he had 98 receptions for 1,716 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Jeudy also recorded impressive stats for the Crimson Tide. Last season, he recorded 77 receptions for 1,163 yards and 10 TDs. In his career, he finished with 159 receptions for 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, Ruggs was drafted as the 12th overall pick by the Oakland Raiders. Just 3 picks later, Jeudy was drafted by the Denver Broncos as the 15th overall pick.
Leading up to the draft, many thought Jeudy would be the first off the board, but, Ruggs was who the Raiders needed more. Saban said it best:
“In their own style of play, both guys are exceptional so it really was just a matter of personal choice in terms of what somebody was really looking for. I think both guys are really, really good players and I think they’ll have great careers.”
There’s no doubt about it, Jeudy and Ruggs will both have incredible NFL careers.
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