With only a few weeks left until the 2020 NFL Draft, it seems like a lock that the Raiders will select a receiver with the No. 12 pick. However, guessing which receiver they could select is anyone’s guess.
In Matt Miller’s latest mock draft at Bleacher Report, the Raiders selected Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III at pick No. 12 despite CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy both still being on the board. Take a look at why Miller believes this would be the ideal fit for the Raiders and Ruggs:
Ruggs gets classified as a speed receiver—and he is with that 4.27 40-yard-dash time—but he’s also a polished route-runner and an all-around threat. Get him the football, and beautiful things happen. And maybe you’re surprised he’s the first receiver off the board, but you shouldn’t be. NFL teams covet speed over polish.
The Las Vegas Raiders could consider a quarterback here—it seems like head coach Jon Gruden is always considering one—but their strategy in free agency points to a wide receiver at No. 12 overall.
While it may seem like a reach to take Ruggs over the likes of Jeudy or Lamb, it’s tough to find 4.27 speed at receiver. And given the depth of this receiver class, it’s not impossible that the Raiders could select a more traditional outside receiver sometime on Day 2 and find value.
Ruggs may not be as polished as some of the other receivers in this class, but don’t be surprised if he’s the first receiver drafted due to his upside. And look for the Raiders to be a possible fit at pick No. 12.
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