Here we are, T-minus 59 days until the 2020 NFL draft kicks off. There is a lot to be excited about as the Las Vegas Raiders have two first round picks at their disposal. You can bet that one of those picks, if not both of them (12, 19), will be used a true number one wide receiver.
It’s been a few years since we have seen a wide receiver class with this many prospects possibly being taken in the first round. You would have to go back to 2004, when Larry Fitzgerald heard his name called as did six others and they broke a draft record. The 2020 class has a chance to break that number and I believe they will. As far as talent, it remains to be seen if this group is better than the 2014 one. Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans and Odell Beckham are now household names. Still, I believe the 2020 class will be better than that.
Here are the top wide receiver prospects who I think Las Vegas Raiders should draft with the 12th overall pick:
Jalen Reagor WR (TCU) height 5’11’, Weight 195
I was tempted to put Tee Higgins here, but i felt like Reagor has a lot of upside to offer. The Horned Frogs receiver notched 43 catches for 611 yards and five touchdowns, he also did it all on special teams, which is a plus in today’s NFL. He has the speed to burn cornerbacks deep down the field and he constantly did so this past season at TCU. He would’ve had more touchdowns but his college program had some quarterback issues. He has that “home run” speed that can stretch the field and open plays. Head coach Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock both said they need to thrown more down field more often next year. Reagor needs help with route running but he has potential.
Related: PFF Predicts Two Major Pickups For Raiders
CeeDee Lamb – (Oklahoma) Height 6’2′, Weight 189
Go ahead and applaud, Raider Nation. This is your guy! Lamb made the most out of his opportunities in 2019 in spite of not getting a ton of targets thrown his way. He showed excellent route running, good hands while using his size, strength, and pure run after catch skills that’ll make you think we were playing backyard ball. He’s not gonna stunt you with speed but he can be a featured receiver in the league. Last year, he had 62 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Raiders are hoping he falls to 12 and I believe he will be there and what better way to kick off Las Vegas era by giving Derek Carr a true number one with good feet and good hands.
Henry Ruggs III – (Alabama) Height 6’0′, Weight 190
If speed had a name, it would be named Henry Ruggs III. I know Tyreek Hill is the fastest wide receiver in the game, but Ruggs may give him a run for his money. Nonetheless, he isn’t just a speed guy as he can run routes, has body control and the footwork to confuse a defender using his speed to get open. The former Crimson Tide is going to be a top 15 pick and the team that drafts Ruggs *coughs Raiders* will be able to use him much like how the Chiefs use Hill. He will be successful in the open field on cross routes, which in one-on-one situations, is something Gruden needs bad. All in all, Ruggs had 40 catches for 745 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019.
Jerry Jeudy – (Alabama) Height 6’1′, Weight 192
Jeudy totaled 77 receptions for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. One thing that stuck out when I watched him was his ability to block down field. The receiver has good big-play speed, and is a fantastic route runner. He has better hands than Amari Cooper and he is someone who can run by double coverage and score from anywhere on the field. He is a vertical threat and will be very hard to stop on third downs. The most talented wide out in a loaded class, he is second to none when you need someone in pressure situations. If he is still there at 12, Gruden must not hesitate to pull the trigger.
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