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2020 NFL Combine recap: Loaded wide receiver class puts on a show

By Evan Groat

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 28: CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners rushes with the ball during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the LSU Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 28: CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners rushes with the ball during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the LSU Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 21: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a 45-yard touchdown in the first quarter after catching a pass behind D.Q. Thomas #12 of the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 21: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a 45-yard touchdown in the first quarter after catching a pass behind D.Q. Thomas #12 of the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

40-yard dash

Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, we all knew that Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III was a burner, and he blew away his competition in the 40-yard dash on Thursday. While straight line speed has not equated to definite success at the NFL level, Ruggs is special, and his efforts in Day 1 of the on-field workouts cemented his place in the first round of the 2020 draft.

Overall, the top-ten in this category put showed incredible speed, but one player in particular who really stood out was Chase Claypool from Notre Dame.  This is a kid who played tight end for the Fighting Irish, and based on his size, and speed, he could creep into the first round as well in April.

Speed Kills, and for the 2020 NFL Draft class, they have plenty of it at the wide receiver position.

  1. Ruggs II, Henry, Alabama, 4.27
  2. Watkins, Quez, Southern Miss, 4.35
  3. Mims, Denzel, Baylor, 4.38
  4. Mooney, Darnell, Tulane, 4.38
  5. Duvernay, Devin, Texas, 4.39
  6. Gibson, Antonio, Memphis, 4.39
  7. Claypool, Chase, Notre Dame, 4.42
  8. Hightower, John, Boise St., 4.43
  9. Jefferson, Justin, LSU, 4.43
  10. Coulter, Isaiah, Rhode Island, 4.45

Vertical Jump (Height/Inches)

At the NFL level, it is so important for wide receivers to be able to go up and get the ball, as the vertical game can really change the way offenses approach things on Sundays. Donovan Peoples-Jones showed he could jump out the building on Thursday, beating his competition by 2.5 inches, which is a big margin in this category.

  1. Peoples-Jones, Donovan, Michigan, 44.5
  2. Reagor, Jalen, TCU, 42.0
  3. Ruggs III, Henry, Alabama, 42.0
  4. Claypool, Chase, Notre Dame, 40.5
  5. Aiyuk, Brandon, Arizona St., 40.0
  6. Finke, Chris, Notre Dame, 40.0
  7. Cleveland, Tyrie, Florida, 39.5
  8. Cephus, Quintez, Wisconsin, 38.5
  9. Hightower, John, Boise St., 38.5
  10. Mims, Denzel, Baylor, 38.5

Broad Jump (Distance/Inches)

Whether vertical, or broad jump, the man of the night was Donovan Peoples-Jones, who displayed the kind of athleticism that should lead to him moving up the draft boards in a hurry. He hauled in 14 touchdowns over the last two seasons for Michigan, and at the next level, he would be a perfect guy to put on the outside and let eat.

  1. Peoples-Jones, Donovan, Michigan, 139.0
  2. Reagor, Jalen, TCU, 138.0
  3. Patmon, Dezmon, Washington St., 132.0
  4. Mims, Denzel, Baylor, 131.0
  5. Ruggs III, Henry, Alabama, 131.0
  6. Aiyuk, Brandon, Arizona St., 128.0
  7. Victor, Ben, Ohio St., 128.0
  8. Gandy-Golden, Antonio, Liberty, 127.0
  9. Lipscomb, Kalija, Vanderbilt, 127.0
  10. Callaway, Marquez, Tennessee, 126.0

Next. Las Vegas Raiders: The Athletic mock draft predicts Raiders selections. dark

During his interview at the Combine, Raiders general manager Mike Mayock stated that players have a hard time going from the college level to the NFL level and performing at a high level. However, this class is on another level than anything we have seen in recent years, and for an organization starving for a true WR1, the Silver and Black just may be able to get their man early in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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