2020 NFL Draft: The year of the wide receiver
By Ryan Roberts
Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
Despite Jeudy’s breathtaking deep speed, he does not hold claim as the fastest of the Alabama wide receivers. That claim goes to fellow classmate Henry Ruggs III. Frequently and constantly timed in the 4.2s in the 40-yard dash during his time at Alabama, Ruggs presents himself as a tantalizing deep threat at the NFL level.
He has shown the ability to get on top of any defensive back, frequently eating away cushion without issue. He has even shown the ability to turn short throws into big gains, with extraordinary short area acceleration.
More of a linear athlete than lateral, Ruggs prefers to stay on a vertical plane. There, he can allow his deep play ability to set up in breaking routes, feasting on relatively passive safety alignments (a.k.a. they are just going to keep backing up so he doesn’t run by them).
Perhaps the most surprising element of Ruggs’ game is the physicality he plays with through the catch point. Multiple times on film, Ruggs exhibited a great ability to win in contested catch situations. Even through excessive contact, he was able to show strong hands throughout the catch point.
When you combine the god-given athleticism, hands and ability to win within contested catch situations, I’m left to ponder just how high the upside with Ruggs may be. Now used more within a complementary role, he possesses a lot of alpha traits that may mean his best football is still ahead of him.
With an expanded role, it is more than reasonable to believe that the best two overall receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft class may both reside in Tuscaloosa.