The Las Vegas Raiders made their first selection of the 2020 NFL Draft, choosing Henry Ruggs III from the University of Alabama
The Las Vegas Raiders era begins with a splash as they select Henry Ruggs III out of the University of Alabama with the 12th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Raiders struggles at wide receiver in 2019 were well documented and they have been searching for a true number one receiver since trading away Amari Cooper for a first round pick in 2018.
Ruggs is an incredible athlete who ran the 40 yard dash in 4.27 seconds at the NFL Combine, one of the fastest official times in the history of the event. He immediately gives the Raiders a weapon that can take the top off defenses and give them a weapon to worry about on the outside.
The former Alabama receiver is a touchdown machine but is by no means a one-trick pony despite his speed. He was lauded for his ability to make tough catches in traffic and has the athletic ability to outjump defensive backs for contested balls.
This pick is indicative of the Raiders commitment to get faster on offense and gives them an intimidating offensive trio of Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, and Ruggs. Ruggs also immediately improves the Raiders receiver group and gives them an element of speed that they sorely lacked in 2019.
Teams looking to move a safety into the box to stop Jacobs next season will now have to think twice, as Ruggs is a human rocket. They wanted to give Derek Carr a legitimate WR1, and they got their guy in Ruggs, though they did pass on both Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, and Ruggs’ teammate, Jerry Jeudy to do so.
The Raiders have one more selection remaining in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with rumors swirling it may be traded as they look to move back in to the second round. We will have to wait and see what Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock do with the 19th pick but we know they swung for the fences with the selection of Henry Ruggs.