2020 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings – Top 5 WR Prospects: Free agency is in full swing, and while it remains to be seen how the 2020 NFL Draft will have to be modified as the world deals with the coronavirus, the plan remains for the draft to be held in April in some capacity. While most of the sporting world is on hiatus, I’ve been breaking down the top prospects at each position. Up next, I take a look at the best wide receivers in this year’s class. The position is not only as deep as it has ever been, but there are also several players who look like future No. 1 options for an NFL offense. Don’t be surprised when more than a couple of rookie receivers provide a big boost to their team’s in Year 1.
2020 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings: Top 5 WR Prospects
1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama Crimson Tide
Arguably the best all-round prospect and most NFL-ready receiver in this year’s class, Jeudy does it all on the field. After finishing with 68 catches for 1,315 yards and 14 scores for the Crimson Tide in 2018, Jeudy caught 77 passes for 1,163 yards and 10 scores this past season. He’s not the most physically imposing receiver, but at 6-1, he has more than enough size to bring down passes in traffics. Jeudy also has high-end speed, great hands and an extensive route tree. More importantly, there isn’t a better receiver in this class in terms of creating separation. He is the frontrunner to be the first receiver taken in the draft, and he should become his quarterback’s best friend in short order. This guy is the total package.
2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma Sooners
Blessed with a rare combination of size and skill, Lamb racked up 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns last year for the Sooners while averaging 21.4 yards per catch. At 6-2, he has the size to win 50-50 balls and run over smaller defensive backs, but he also has the speed to burn defenses deep. In fact, there might not be a more dangerous player after the catch in this draft. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Lamb is the first receiver to hear his name called in the NFL Draft, and he there is no reason he shouldn’t be the future cornerstone of an NFL passing attack.
3. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama Crimson Tide
With 40 catches for 746 yard and seven touchdowns last year, Ruggs doesn’t have the gawdy stats of some of the other top prospects. Of course, Alabama’s loaded receiving corps had something to do with the lack of paper stats, More importantly, Ruggs possesses something that you just can’t teach, elite-level speed. He came up just short of setting the 40-yard dash record at the Scouting Combine, but his effortless speed was obvious. Ruggs can take the top off any defense, and his presence on the field alone will make everyone around him better. He is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball, and he could end up being a Tyreek Hill-type playmaker for an NFL offense.
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4. Justin Jefferson, LSU Tigers
Jefferson had a monster season at LSU, piling up 111 catches for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was particularly huge down the stretch, topping 100 yards in the SEC Championship Game and in both rounds of the College Football Playoff. Yes, Jefferson benefitted from being a main weapon LSU’s overpowering offense, but a blazing 40 time at the NFL Scouting Combine left no doubt that he has the physical tools to duplicate the production at the next level. There’s probably a slight gap between Jefferson and the top-three receiver prospects, but he could still develop into a go-to option for an offense.
5. Tee Higgins, Clemson Tigers
Standing 6-4, Higgins is a massive receiver, and he uses his size to create big plays down the field and cause matchup problems in the red zone. He hauled in 25 touchdowns over the past two seasons, including 13 last year. Higgins isn’t a burner, but he’s fast enough for his size. More importantly, he has strong hands and knows how to use his body to make contested catches. Higgins certainly has the upside to become a No. 1 receiver at the NFL level, but it remains to be seen if he can create consistent separation on enough routes to be an every-down force. At worst, he should be a big-play weapon and a nightmare in the red zone.
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