2020 NFL Draft: CeeDee Lamb working way to top five pick

Oklahoma star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb appears on a mission to be the first player at his position taken in the 2020 NFL Draft, perhaps in the top five.

In Saturday’s most-watched sporting event, the Red River Showdown, the Oklahoma Sooners topped the rival Texas Longhorns in college football Week 7. That means that many eyes were finally on Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. And Lamb did not disappoint, cementing what’s been a season-long case that he’s potentially the top wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

Lamb could not be contained. Yes, the Longhorns have some injuries in the secondary but the Sooners star took full advantage by posting one of the best performances in Red River Showdown’s history. Heisman hopeful Jalen Hurts had a big day but three of his touchdowns had one thing in common: CeeDee Lamb.

After Lamb’s disappointing Week 5 performance against Kansas, he couldn’t have picked a better time to bounce back loudly. Lamb ended the Oklahoma victory over Texas with 10 catches for 171 yards and those three scores.

Two of Lamb’s three touchdowns put all of his talents on display as the wideout made Longhorns defenders look silly, taking their ankles en route to the end zone. One came on a flea-flicker that would’ve been a big play no matter what but Lamb willed into a touchdown with his after-catch ability:

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Later in the fourth quarter, Lamb continued to make fans and NFL Draft heads marvel. Not only did he make a terrific catch to pluck a Hurts throw out of the air but then came down and made three Texas defenders miss as he crossed the goal line:

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The game against Texas wasn’t Lamb’s first time taking a Texas-based university to task this season, either. In Week 4 against Texas Tech, he put on a similar performance with 185 yards and three touchdowns. Moreover, Lamb has scored in every game this season and doesn’t show signs of slowing down.

In six games, Lamb has 10 touchdowns while averaging over 21 yards per catch, on pace for over 1,400 yards and 18 scores. Those are better numbers than Jerry Jeudy of Alabama has posted, who is largely considered the top wide receiver prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. But more than the numbers, Lamb is putting on tape that he should be in the WR1 conversation.

Eyeing Lamb as a prospect, he has a lean build with long arms and a great catch radius, somewhat in the mold of A.J. Green. At the line of scrimmage, he shows quick hands and the ability to get off the jam. Due to his clean release, he excels at vertical routes. He stacks defensive backs and snaps off the top of his routes, which creates separation. Lamb has shown the ability to get open in intermediate and underneath routes as well though.

When the ball is in the air, he shows elite tracking skills and body control. He doesn’t allow many passes into his body and plucks the ball out of the air, highlighting his terrific hands. With that and his after-catch ability, Lamb is capable of making big plays despite not having elite quickness or blazing speed. He’s an assassin in the open field, making people miss with footwork and breaking tackles.

For now, Jeudy is still the top wide receiver prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft. The play of CeeDee Lamb, however, is quickly closing that gap. And if the Oklahoma star continues, he could challenge for that spot and for the right to be a top-five pick come April.