NFL Draft 2020 – Jeudy, Lamb and Ruggs Top Bumper Crop Wide Receiver Class

Frank Coyle/ Publisher

Wide Receivers – Grade: A

NFL Teams in need:
1. Jets 5. Redskins
2. Eagles 6. Raiders
3. Vikings 7. Texans
4. Bengals 8. Panthers

Positional Overview: This year’s group of receivers is a high-quality class which may rival the great class of 1996 as impact pro playmakers. This is a both a top heavy and very deep class with many blue and red chip prospects. It does surpass recent groups over the past decade with the talent and depth at the position to be the bumper crop class in recent memory. This position will provide many NFL starters and playmakers with as many as seven first round draft choices. The addition of numerous underclassmen enhances this class significantly with many of the top 15 players being selected in the top 100 overall picks. This class should produce solid starters into the 3rd day of the NFL Draft. Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb are blue chip prospects who probably come off the board in the top ten thru the middle of the 1st round. They should begin a run of at least 12 prospects chosen in the top 100 overall choices. Henry Ruggs and Justin Jefferson could hear his name called from the middle of the 1st round. Laviska Shenault and Tee Higgins had some late injury and workout concerns which may affect their final grades, though definitely first round talents. Brandon Aiyuk, Chase Claypool and Denzel Mims are rising players who could land at the end of the first round. Jalen Reagor, Michael Pittman and K.J. Hamler are developed playmakers with early grades. Possession receivers, Antonio Gandy-Golden, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Van Jefferson and Collin Johnson are potential NFL starters with average type speed, though developed skills. Possibly 25 receivers could go in the top 200 overall picks. The underclassmen will once again play a huge factor here. There are a few fast-rising prospects like Ruggs, Claypool and Mims who are moving up quickly off impressive postseasons. Highly regarded playmakers like Gabriel Davis and K.J. Hamler will probably go early, though could slide in this incredible class. There will probably be at least 35-40 chosen over the event with many rookie free agents carrying make it grades in camp.

Frank Coyle – Publisher Draft Insiders’ Digest for 29 years –
NFL Draft Yearbook 2020 & NFL Team Report (40 pgs ) – Available now –
www.draftinsiders.com – Publication and Web Site

Wide Receiver Rankings

NFL Premier Player
Julio Jones

Blue Chip – Jerry Jeudy
Blue Chip – CeeDee Lamb
Blue Chip – Henry Ruggs
Rising – Justin Jefferson
Falling – Collin Johnson
Underrated – Gabriel Davis
Overrated – Donovan Peoples-Jones
Sleeper – Van Jefferson
Boom/Bust – K.J. Hamler
Long term Gem – Antonio Gandy-Golden

Positional Traits
Best Athlete – Henry Ruggs
Best Hands – Tee Higgins
Fastest – Henry Ruggs
Quickest – Jalen Reagor
Run After Catch – Henry Ruggs
Route Runner – Jerry Jeudy
Deep Threat – Henry Ruggs
Catch In Traffic – Chase Claypool
Blocker – Laviska Shenault
Adjustments /Routes – Justin Jefferson
Hidden Gem – Joe Reed

Wide Receiver Rankings

1 * Jerry Jeudy – Alabama
2 * CeeDee Lamb – Oklahoma
3 * Henry Ruggs – Alabama
4 * Justin Jefferson – LSU
5 * Laviska Shenault – Colorado
6 * Tee Higgins – Clemson
7 Brandon Aiyuk – Arizona State
8 Chase Claypool – Notre Dame
9 * Jalen Reagor – TCU
10 * K.J. Hamler – Penn State
11 Denzel Mims – Baylor
12 Michael Pittman – Southern California
13 * Gabriel Davis – Central Florida
14 * Donovan Peoples-Jones – Michigan
15 Van Jefferson – Florida
16 Antonio Gandy-Golden – Liberty
17 James Proche – Southern Methodist
18 Devin Duvernay – Texas
19 Collin Johnson – Texas
20 John Hightower – Boise State

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Biletnikoff, Thorpe, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites./