Raiders 2020 Rookie of the Year: Henry Ruggs III
Just like the Defensive Player of the Year award, I don’t feel right handing this one out. In terms of production on the football field, this may have been one of the worst drafts in recent memory for this franchise, and as many fans know the Raiders have had some terrible drafts. Recently on a Q & A on Instagram Ruggs graded his own rookie season as a D – and I agree with that.
The only problem is every other rookie would be graded as equal or worse to that, but Ruggs did have the most production out of this rookie class for the Raiders, so he gets the win. He did have some outstanding moments, like on the road against Kansas City, and his last-second touchdown against the New York Jets, but the franchise needs a lot more out of him in Year 2.
Looking at this draft class as a whole, Damon Arnette struggled to stay on the field and then struggled when he was on it. Tanner Muse was injured the whole season, Lynn Bowden Jr. was traded, and Bryan Edwards was a guy who flashed early, but was bitten by the injury bug as well.
Ruggs has the talent to be an explosive player in this league, and his development this summer is going to be crucial.
Runner up: None