Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell compares NFL draft wide receiver prospects to vaunted class of 2014
Henry Ruggs III is a dynamic player with game-breaking skills and exceptional breakaway speed.
He was the fastest wide receiver prospect at the NFL Scouting Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds. At Alabama last season, Ruggs averaged 18.7 yards a catch and scored seven touchdowns.
But this year’s wide receivers draft class is so deep that Ruggs is not considered the No. 1 prospect. Jerry Jeudy, Ruggs’ Alabama teammate, and Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb are both rated ahead of Ruggs and projected to be selected higher in next week’s virtual NFL draft.
Jeudy, an exceptional route runner, and Lamb are expected to be selected among the top 13 picks. Ruggs could go in the mid-first round. In Paste BN Sports' latest mock draft, Ruggs is projected to be selected by the Denver Broncos at No. 15.
"Wherever I end up, I have to make myself comfortable and develop that trust in the coaching staff and players," Ruggs said. "I have to grow a lot, but I’m excited about the process."
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Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell compared this year’s wide receivers to the vaunted class of 2014, when Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks and Kelvin Benjamin were first-round selections.
"It’s very deep, and I think you will see some (wide receivers) that go undrafted and have really good careers, and you’ll see some players in the later rounds that will come in and make an immediate impact," Caldwell said. "Definitely top-heavy in the first round, and then you have four or five guys in each round that you will feel good about drafting."
Six receivers are projected to be first-round picks, including LSU’s Justin Jefferson, Baylor’s Denzel Mims and Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk.
Jeudy became only the second Crimson Tide wide receiver in school history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and finished with 26 career touchdowns.
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah has Lamb ahead of Jeudy in his rankings. He projects Lamb going to the New York Jets at No. 11 and Jeudy to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 12. Paste BN Sports projects Lamb to the Raiders at No. 12 and Jeudy to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 13.
"Jeudy is the best route runner in the draft, and that’s very important," Jeremiah said. "He does a lot of his work in the slot. I think that’s where he’s best suited to the next level.
"I have CeeDee Lamb as my top guy because of everything he can do. He can line up outside. He can win vs. press coverage with his physicality. It’s a 31-flavors receiver group this year. You can like a lot of them, but it’s just different flavors."
Lamb had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and averaged 21.4 yards per catch last year for the Sooners.
"I’m willing to put my body on the line every day at practice," Lamb said at the combine in February. "For any organization, I’m ready to give my all. I’m working to always be the best."
As many as six receivers could be picked in the second round, including Clemson's Tee Higgins, Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool, Penn State’s K.J. Humbler, TCU’s Jalen Reagor, USC’s Michael Pittman Jr. and Texas’ Devin Duvernay.
Jaguars coach Doug Marrone echoed GM Caldwell's thoughts on the wide receiver class. Coming off a 6-10 season, Jacksonville needs more playmakers on the roster and could potentially be in line to draft a receiver with the No. 20 pick in the first round.
"It’s like chocolate chip cookies," Marrone said earlier this month. "There’s never enough in the house for me."
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