2020 Wide Receivers
I keep hearing this is some sort of great receiver class. Is that really the case? Why did the Bills trade a 1st round pick and some extras for the right to pay Stefon Diggs? Maybe it’s because NFL decision makers aren’t nearly as jazzed on this class as the media wants you to believe. Now how about the DeAndre Hopkins deal? I know, it seems like the Texans got hosed. I think they got fleeced simply by confusing David Johnson for an asset. I would view David Johnson and his contract as a negative (i.e. Brock Osweiler) not a positive. But remember what we learned about the Texans offense last year? They were among the league’s best when Will Fuller suited up, and very pedestrian without him. DeAndre Hopkins was on the field the entire time. I have a history of being skeptical of Hopkins because he doesn’t separate, but I came around in the last two years because his ball skills are that good. Last year I started to compare him to Larry Fitzgerald which is ironic because he’ll now become Larry Fitz’s successor in the desert. The bottomline is, he’s a great player, he’s the best 3rd and 4th down receiver in the game to me, but in order to make the offense work he needs a receiver to take the safety. And those guys aren’t cheap or easy to come by, just ask the Bills. This draft class has a lot of #2 receivers, pretty light on top flight talent.
CeeDee Lamb-WR-Oklahoma-6’2”-198-Top 20-97
I thought he was gonna be a top ten pick after 2018. Working with Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, this guy was absolutely uncoverable. And then he topped that in 2019 with the worst passer of the three in Jalen Hurts. But what really hurt his stock is that 40 time. He doesn’t play like a burner, but he doesn’t exactly have the size to justify that 4.5 in the forty. Guess what, not a problem for me. Watch him run routes, this guy’s body control is off the charts. He’s got a knack for separating, has terrific hands, and works the sideline like a ballerina. That doesn’t even mention what he does after the catch which bumps him into the top half of round 1 for me. I love the dude, it’s not even close between CeeDee and the rest of the receivers for me.
Tee Higgins-WR-Clemson-6’4”-216-1st Round-95
Big long player who possesses 34” arms and can use them. In the college football playoffs his momentary absence changed the complexion of the game proving his importance. I was all ready to criticize Higgins because I don’t usually like these leggy strider types. And I’m really protective of A.J. Green comparisons. But I have to say, I totally see it. Coming out of high school Tee was a top 20 recruit after being a two time defending Mr. Football in Tennessee as well as a highly regarded basketball player. Then he goes to Clemson and goes to two National Championship games and collects 27 touchdown receptions, good enough to tie for the school record previously set by DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins. Good company. I know he was catching passes from Trevor Lawrence, who at this point may be ahead of Andrew Luck for greatest prospect I’ve ever seen, but that doesn’t mean Tee Higgins isn’t a goddamn stud. A.J. Green is really the best comparison as much as I wish I never had to compare anyone to him.
Justin Jefferson-WR-LSU-6’1”-202-2nd Round-91
Fell in love with this kid last fall, how could you not? This prospect forces teams to determine how they value particular roles. Because anyone will spend a 1st round pick on a downfield receiving threat who can make plays outside the numbers. But how do teams value a superb underneath receiver who can move the chains? The Julian Edelman’s of the world. Justin Jefferson is the cream of the crop for that type of receiving prospect. This guy can beat man, or zone, make a tough catch with contact, and most importantly, he makes plays after the catch. Jefferson is a plug-in stud, but is it at the number 3 receiver position? Depends on the team. So I’m super interested in where he gets selected. I think it’ll be the top of round 2 to Carolina, but I like him earlier. This comp is a bit of a cop out, but it's Odell Beckham without the runaway wheels.
Jerry Jeudy-WR-Alabama-6’1”-193-Top 15-88
People have him neck in neck with CeeDee Lamb, can’t say I’m one of those people. Tremendously productive at Bama including a Biletnikoff award as a sophomore. I think his draft stock took a hit because he’s known as a burner, yet he clocked in with a 4.45. The thing I see in his game is straight line ability. Almost no lateral skillset. Reminds me of Brandin Cooks in that way. I know Cookie ran in the 4.3’s but I also think Jeudy played faster than he tested. There are highlight clips of Jeudy juking people but he has to slow down basically to a stop in order to shake someone. At the next level he’ll never be able to dodge multiple people, which is the basically the entire difference between Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. Can someone tell me why Jeudy is a better prospect than Calvin Ridley? Cause I don’t see it. I think he runs like Terrance Williams. Plus Jeudy has floppy knees and without having any proof, I think he’s gonna be injury prone.
Brandon Aiyuk-WR-Arizona State-6’0”-205-2nd Round-88
This kid plays bigger than his size and his open field ability shows up big time. Very fluid athlete that makes strong cuts and will continue to get open even against double coverage. Has the skills to be a number 1 receiver at the next level. Flying a bit under the radar but will likely go in the top 40 picks because he can win battles inside and out. He was a top 5 receiver recruit out of high school and after 4 years in college comes out as a polished receiving prospect with upside to boot.
K.J. Hill-WR-Ohio State-6’0”-196-3rd Round-82
This guy has been on my list for 2 years now. It’s funny, because you can make a solid argument that he’s never been the best receiver on his team. Not saying that really matters, but I think his game translates better to the NFL than any of his fellow Buckeye receivers. Look, he’s not the biggest, he’s not the fastest, and unfortunately he’s also not the quickest. But he is simply outstanding with the ball in his hands. He runs with vision, power, and can allude and break away from people. Plus he’s got terrific hands and receiving instincts. I think he’s a player, and a gamer, and all those gritty things. But I’m not convinced he beats man coverage. I want to call him Deebo Samuel and Golden Tate, but he’s just a step off them, and that puts him at the end of round 2 for me.
Henry Ruggs-WR-Alabama-5’11”-188-1st Round-81
Umm he’s pretty fast. Top 3 all time in the 40 yard dash among non-mythical performances (Deion, Bo Jackson) at 4.27 seconds. He plays stronger than your typical speedster, regularly breaking tackles, lowering his shoulder, and maintaining balance through contact. I like to compare him to Marquise Hollywood Brown from last year. Hollywood is like 165 pounds soaking wet and does two things well: running straight and sliding. Ruggs is more versatile. He can carry the rock on jet sweeps, block out in front, return kicks, and step foot between the numbers. The problem is, I don’t see the playmaking ability in Ruggs. He’ll run his route, sometimes get turned loose, and if there’s open space he’ll exploit it as fast as anyone. But Hollywood has that weird Brown gene where he gets great position down the field and makes plays on the ball. I think Ruggs can be useful in an offense but really as a third option. Here’s the comp: Hollywood is DeSean Jackson/Will Fuller, Henry Ruggs is Mecole Hardman/Philip Dorsett.
KJ Hamler-WR-Penn State-5’9”-178-2nd Round-79
Burners, absolute burners. At that size he needs them. Usually for a guy like him it’s: run straight or run stop routes, maybe an end around. But Hamler runs routes like a big boy and makes vicious cuts. Definitely the go to guy for the Nittany Lions, Hamler tallied nearly 1000 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore. You have to worry about the durability of a guy this small, and his usage will have to keep that in mind which lowers his value. He lost his senior season in high school and redshirted his first year in college due to injury. But I love the way he plays, certainly an elite athlete. Could be a sleeper of this receiver class, but how he can hold up is my major concern.
Devin Duvernay-WR-Texas-5’10”-200-3rd Day-65
Speedy guy with a solid build. Definitely will play on the inside and got to like his plus blocking ability. I just don’t see a lot of route diversity and think he’ll need to gain that to make an impact. His kick return skills may be his biggest strength as he acquires more receiving skills. Looks like Kendall Wright and that’s not exactly a pro career that panned out.
Michael Pittman-WR-USC-6’4”-223-2nd Round-64
I wasn’t planning to analyze this kid, but when I saw Michael Pittman I’m like how could I not? His Dad had some of the best style points going. Huge arms, I mean huuuuge arms. Like he made Thomas Jones look like he needed to double up his arm days. Big time production as a senior getting into the Biletnikoff discussion with 100 catches for nearly 1300 yards. Tall rangy guy that ran a solid 4.52 at the combine, but doesn’t play to that speed. He can be a number two target if he has a top notch speedy #1 opposite him. Some jump ball game but not as much as you’d like to see in contested catches. He reminds me a lot of some of those tall Ohio State receivers from yesteryear like Brian Robiskie and Michael Jenkins. At the end of the day I don’t think he’s a difference maker on offense, ceiling close to Devin Funchess, but Pittman is a hell of a special teamer and if he wants to he can be Kelly Washington.