Teams that Feel the Need for Speed

The NFL Draft will be here before you know it and it’s sorely needed in the midst of the global pandemic that has paralyzed professional sports and crippled economies throughout the world. This year boasts a treasure trove of top-tier wide receivers and there will be several teams salivating at the prospect of selecting one of these speed merchants to provide a lethal weapon for its respective quarterback. There could very well be as many as seven wideouts selected in the opening round but we will take a look at five of the best in the 2020 NFL Draft and predict where they might be playing when the season commences.

1. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma (6’2”, 191 pounds – No. 12 Las Vegas Raiders) – The Oklahoma pass-catcher is graded as the best on the board in a class of blue-ribbon prospects. He ended the 2019 campaign with 1,327 receiving yards, 14 receiving TD’s, and one rushing touchdown. He has improved every year since his freshman season and will be leaving Oklahoma a year early to pursue his dreams at the highest level. Assuming there are no trades and the draft order remains the same we could very well see Lamb slip to the Raiders at No. 12 as the first wide receiver chosen.
2. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama (6’1, 192 pounds – No. 13 San Francisco 49ers) – There is a legitimate debate as to whether Lamb or Jeudy will go first but the fact that Jeudy’s senior season saw him regress slightly from the 14 touchdowns catches and 1,315 receiving yards in his sophomore season to 10 TD receptions and 1,163 yards in his junior campaign might influence some to prefer Ceedee Lamb. However, it should be noted that Jeudy was one of three elite receivers on the Alabama squad with DeVonta Smith (returning to Bama for his senior season and not entering this year’s draft) and Henry Ruggs (see below) stealing receptions from Jeudy. The pundits believe Jeudy has the highest floor of any receiver in the draft and ready to make an immediate impact.

I got u lil sis 🙏🏾 https://t.co/yC06uHfUk0

— Jerry Jeudy⁴ (@jerryjeudy) April 17, 2020

3.Henry Ruggs, Alabama (6’0, 190 pounds – No. 15 Denver Broncos) – Ruggs has been climbing up everyone’s draft boards and the only reason the Broncos would not want a major talent like Ruggs lining up across the gridiron from Courtland Sutton is that they could get a comparable receiver in the second round. However, comparable is a relative term and the uber-talented Ruggs could be too tempting to ignore at this spot.

4Justin Jefferson, LSU (6’3”, 192 pounds – No. 21 Philadelphia Eagles) – Jefferson was the first choice for LSU’s Heisman Trophy Award-winning quarterback, Joe Burrow, and he responded with 111 catches, 1,540 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns. He is one of the tallest upper-echelon receivers in the draft and can play outside using his 4.43 speed in the 40-yard dash or can muscle passes from covering linebackers as a big slot receiver much like he did in the Tigers’ offense. Some believe he lacks the immediate explosiveness off the blocks which could hinder him at the next level but others are convinced he is the best playmaker in the draft. If he does slip to No. 21, it would be impossible for the Eagles to turn their attention to another position because they have a dearth of quality wideouts and quarterback Carson Wentz desperately needs a bigtime target.

4Denzel Mims (6’3, 215 pounds, No. 32 Kansas City Chiefs) –The Chiefs are still the favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions as evidenced by the odds being dealt at all of the best online sportsbooks found over at Sportsbook Review. However, Kansas City’s GM Brett Veach stated that his team is not content to win only this year but seeks to build a dynasty at Arrowhead. If that is indeed the case, then consider that two of their wide receivers, Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson, have one year left in KC and will likely move on after this season. Chances are that the Chiefs will not get another opportunity to pluck a superstar caliber receiver this low in the first round which means Denzel Mims of Baylor could be the man opposite Tyreek Hill for years to come.

Round 2 is underway! @Headshoulders pic.twitter.com/3hl6DQ8rP8

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 21, 2020