Raiders: Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards could form dynamic duo

The Las Vegas Raiders drafted two very different wide receivers in the NFL Draft in Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards and they form a dynamic duo with differing strengths

One of the goals of the Las Vegas Raiders coming in to the 2019 offseason was to improve the WR group and provide QB Derek Carr with some intriguing options on the outside. With the selections of Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III and South Carolina’s Bryan Edwards, along with Lynn Bowden, Jr. of course, they certainly did that.

Aside from their obvious talent the most intriguing aspect of Edwards and Ruggs is the different things they bring to the position based on their athleticism and body type. The svelte Ruggs measured in at 5’11” and 188lbs at the NFL Combine and blew scouts away with his blazing speed when he posted a 4.2 40. Edwards on the other hand came in at 6’3” and 212lbs though he is no slouch in the speed department and has reportedly run a 4.45 in the past.

Ruggs was known for his explosive ability to turn short yardage routes like slants or bubble screens in to huge gains or scores as displayed by his remarkable touchdown rate. Of Ruggs’ 98 catches at Alabama, a whopping 24 of them were touchdowns.

Ruggs regularly scored touchdowns of more than 40 yards and as you can see from some of his highlights, many of them were the result of his incredible ability after the catch.

His average yards per reception of 17.5 in his three years at Alabama was better than other renowned deep threats like DeSean Jackson, Ted Ginn, and TY Hilton which further displays his explosive ability. As GM Mike Mayock has stated, the Raiders plan to manufacture touches for Ruggs to take advantage of his YAC ability and get him in to open space. He is just as likely to beat defenders over the top as he is to run past them, turning a 5-yard slant in to a 75-yard touchdown.