2020 NFL Draft: Creating the perfect spread offense from prospects

Wide Receiver: Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

In this offensive scheme, I am going to manufacture a ton of space for pass catchers by manipulating splits and forcing isolation off of different variations of motions. There is no better wide receiver in space in college football than Jerry Jeudy — and maybe just overall player for that matter.

Jeudy has shown the ability to threaten defenders vertically. His smooth breaks and transitions force defensive backs into some not-ideal positions. The smoothness he plays with is what really sets him apart. There is no wasted motion getting in and out of breaks. His transitions are pristine and effortless.

Then there’s what he can do in the open field. My goodness, folks, the kid is untouchable. His highlight tape is littered with defenders grasping for air in some questionable body positioning. It’s not often that wide receivers are discussed on top of a draft class, but Jeudy is deserving of the hype. He stands as one of the elite prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

Others considered: Henry Ruggs III (Alabama), Tyler Johnson (Minnesota), Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State)

Wide Receiver: CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

Now that we have Jerry Jeudy serving as our big-play threat, it is time to find his battery mate that possesses the physical traits to win at the catch point and in contested catch situations. I wouldn’t call Lamb the most dynamic athlete at his position, but he is more than fluid enough to create instant separation out of his breaks.

Slightly overshadowed by big-play threat Marquise Brown, Lamb is ready to take over the top spot as the most dynamic playmaker in the Big 12. He is not a scheme-dependent player and would have been a great fit in a multitude of different offensive philosophies. The sell for me here is his experience in the spread at Oklahoma, demonstrating reps outside the numbers and in the slot.

The versatility is a huge bonus but I’m interested in leaving him outside the numbers as often as possible. There his natural ball skills have the opportunity to take over. On an offense with players like Jeudy and Swift, this will present a ton of one-on-one opportunities for Lamb. Those types of odds are firmly in Lamb’s favor.

Others considered: Laviska Shenault Jr. (Colorado), Bryan Edwards (South Carolina), Denzel Mims (Baylor)