Is Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III this year’s top rookie wide receiver?
Yahoo Sports' Eric Edholm details how the Crimson Tide wide receiver’s determination to be the best pass catcher in this year’s NFL draft is rooted in his competitive spirit.
Video Transcript
- There he goes, Henry Ruggs for Tide touchdown.
- Time to look at what Henry Ruggs is made of, brought to you by USAA.
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EVAN DOHERTY: I'm Evan Doherty here with Yahoo Sports draft expert Eric Edholm. Eric, I should have said Henry Ruggs III. That is his government name, but some would say he is the first wide receiver that could come off the board in this draft. What do you think about him?
ERIC EDHOLM: Yeah, I mean it-- on the surface, it's easy to appreciate his raw speed. We saw it on display at the combine with the 4.27 40. We saw it with a, you know, the touchdown every four catches in Alabama. It wouldn't shock me if that's the kind of thing that vaulted him up above Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb or any of the other receivers. But to me what makes him so fascinating as a prospect, too, it's his competitive spirit. You know, he was upset about running a 4.27. He expected to do better.
And it shows up on tape, too, Evan. I mean you see the hustle plays, tracking down a guy, 60 yards downfield against Tennessee after an interception, blocking in the run game, participating in special teams. You put that with a world-class speed, and I absolutely can understand why a team would say he's our wide receiver one.
EVAN DOHERTY: Yeah, you look at some of the figures. Pro Football Focus had him ranked as the 98th percentile among wide receivers they have rated. That's pretty high. It's the highest among this year's class. You talk about these receivers. It could be just fit and scheme and what a team is wanting, so what teams do you think would want a guy like Ruggs?
ERIC EDHOLM: Yeah, I think any team that feels like it needs that sort of Tyreek Hill type of juice in their offense, right. You think about the New York Jets picking number 11. You think about the San Francisco 49ers, a couple of big plays away from winning the Super Bowl. They really lacked that kind of home run thread.
I'm sure the Raiders would love that kind of speed, too. You know, Al Davis looking down from heaven on this one. I could see him being a perfect Davis Raiders type of pick as well. So somebody in that mix feels like it could be a key candidate for Ruggs' services.
EVAN DOHERTY: They are middle of the first round will be where we will look for Ruggs to fall on draft night. Thanks so much, Eric. This look at Henry Ruggs III brought to you by USAA, proud supporter of the military community. What you're made of, we're made for.