Las Vegas Raiders: 3 bold, early offensive predictions for 2021
No. 1: Henry Ruggs III goes for over 1,000 receiving yards
We start our early, bold predictions with the Raiders’ first-ever draft pick as the Las Vegas Raiders. With the No. 12 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Las Vegas selected Henry Ruggs III, choosing the Alabama speedster over every wide receiver that was available in that draft class.
While some rookies shined at the position in 2020, including Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Tee Higgins, Ruggs struggled to play consistent football. Whether it was injuries, or just getting used to the NFL game, he appeared in 13 games, starting 12, and while he had a few moments, he just was not the WR1 that he was expected to be.
Sure, the catch against the New York Jets to win the game was great, as was his effort on the road against Kansas City, but the Raiders need much more from him in 2021. He finished his rookie season with only 26 catches for a little over 450 yards and two touchdowns, as Nelson Agholor became the top option at the position.
In 2021, Ruggs has to take over as the WR1, and I believe that in that role, he is going to more than double his yardage total from last year. In fact, I believe Ruggs goes over 1,000 yards in Year 2, becoming a legitimate threat on the outside for Derek Carr.