The New York Jets have an opportunity to make a real impact for their offense by selecting a stud wide receiver in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The conventional wisdom for the New York Jets in the 2020 NFL Draft is to select an elite offensive tackle with the 11th overall selection. I beg to differ. While improving Gang Green’s offensive line is an important component in their future success, it’s vitally important for general manager Joe Douglas to select a wide receiver that can potentially become a true No. 1 target for Sam Darnold
Douglas has done a pretty good job so far in restructuring an offensive line that was one of the worst in the NFL in 2019. The recent additions of George Fant, Connor McGovern and Greg Van Roten along the O-line are a plus and further improvements can be made later on in the draft. Most, if not all, of the stud tackles will most likely be gone by the 11th pick in any case as well.
Even with the recent acquisition of Breshad Perriman to the wide receiver corps, the Jets still lost Robby Anderson to free agency (Carolina) and they’ll miss his breakaway speed. Jamison Crowder is a solid veteran performer from the slot but Darnold needs a young, premier wideout that he can grow with.
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When was the last time Gang Green had a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver? You have to go back to the days of Keyshawn Johnson, who was a two-time Pro Bowler with New York from 1998-99. That’s a long time ago.
With that being said, Douglas should draft one of these wide receivers (if available) when the Jets are on the clock in Round One (ranked in order).
1. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
The 6-2, 198-pounder, CeeDee Lamb was an All-American for the Sooners last year (62 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns) and is known for his quickness and outstanding YAC ability. He’s not an elite speed burner but he did average 21.4 yards per reception in 2019. Lamb has Pro Bowl potential at the next level.
2. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
The Deerfield Beach, FL native enjoyed another strong campaign for the Crimson Tide last year with a career-high 77 receptions. He averaged 15.1 yards per reception and finished with 24 touchdown receptions from 2018-19.
A former Biletnikoff Award winner as a sophomore, Jeudy is an excellent route-runner with fine top-end speed but he needs to secure more contested balls. Jeudy is still a premier talent and has a Pro Bowl ceiling as well.
3. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
You want speed? Ruggs has it in bundles — he’s probably the fastest player in the entire 2020 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 188-pounder ran a scintillating 4.27-second time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and opponents will need to provide safety help because Ruggs can take any slant or crossing pattern to the house.
He has strong hands as well. Ruggs registered just one drop all of last season but he needs work on his route running and dealing with physical, bump-and-run cornerbacks. With that being said, you can’t teach speed, right?