Raiders’ best and worst from 2020
If 2019 is contested, what can we say about 2020? The problem with grading the 2020 class is that it’s far too soon to label anyone a bust. Also, these players played in a season altered by a pandemic where their rookie transitions were vastly different than most. Nevertheless, the highest-graded player according to Hill was wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, who received a B-minus after his debut year.
The wide receiver debate regarding that year’s class will be analyzed for years to come when you see how much talent came out of it. The problem too, whether anyone likes it or not, is that Ruggs will be measured against the likes of CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson. His ability to stretch the field, however, will be invaluable moving forward for Gruden’s offense. Perhaps we can all grade this one more accurately in a couple of years.
The one grade that can’t be argued is Lynn Bowden’s awful ‘F’ that was bestowed upon him. There’s plenty of blame to go around on this one whether it’s on Gruden or Mayock. You can blame the coaches for trying to make Bowden into something he wasn’t or them not doing their homework. Also, off-field issues certainly played a role in his trade before he ever played a down in Las Vegas.
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