NFL Draft 2020: 13 Biggest Picks You NEED To Know
9. Wide Receiver - Henry Ruggs III
Round 1: Pick 12
The 2020 draft class was considered one of the best for wide receivers in recent memory. Six pass catchers were taken in the first round. The first one off the board was Alabama's Henry Ruggs III to the Las Vegas Raiders. He also receives the distinction of being the first ever pick for Las Vegas. He was the talk of the draft when he was shown in the style and comfort of a bathrobe when his name was called. His partnership with Old Spice netted a $320,000 donation for the United Way.
Draft analyst turned GM Mike Mayock set the stage in 2019 with his surprising yet solid draft picks in his first year with the Raider organization. So it should have been no shock that he and Coach Gruden went against expectations again by taking Ruggs over Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb and his own Alabama teammate, Jerry Jeudy.
Lamb and Jeudy with the prototypical receiver size and skills were generally considered the top two at their position. However, with a pick that would make the late Al Davis proud, the Raiders went with speed. The 5'11" Ruggs will immediately compete to be QB David Carr's favorite weapon in an offense that features Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller returning. Jason Witten and Nelson Agholor were recently acquired this offseason along with two more receivers taken in the third round.
As the first receiver taken, Ruggs will now be faced with immense pressure as his production will be compared to the 36 WR's taken after him.