Is CeeDee Lamb the next DeAndre Hopkins?
Yahoo Sports’ Michelle Gingras caught up with the Oklahoma wide receiver. Lamb explained how he’s been navigating the virtual draft process, what catching passes from three Heisman Trophy Finalists taught him, and how he plans to spend his draft night. The soon-to-be first round pick joined Yahoo Sports thanks to Sleep Number. Lamb credits his Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed for enabling his body to rest and recover.
Video Transcript
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MICHELLE GINGRAS: Welcome inside Yahoo Sports. I'm Michelle Gingras joined now by Oklahoma wide receiver Ceedee Lamb joining us on behalf of Sleep Number, which we will get to in a couple of moments. But first, some players have said that the virtual component of this draft can make it really difficult to form authentic relationships with teams. This is a new challenge that obviously both the teams and you guys are not used to. So what does this experience been like for you?
CEEDEE LAMB: Yeah, it's very difficult to try to kind of get a feel for a team or trying to feel a vibe from a coach obviously because it's being virtual and not face to face. But a lot of us prefer physical contact rather than, obviously, over the internet.
But this is what we have, and we're going to have to make the best of what we have and the opportunity. And I think we've done a great job up to this point as far as just being consistent with what the cause and just trying to make sure that we're as close as possible via Skype, or Zoom, or the app [INAUDIBLE]. Just however we can virtually communicate face to face.
MICHELLE GINGRAS: You're one of the top receivers in this year's draft class, which is incredible in itself. But what sets you apart from the others?
CEEDEE LAMB: Just I feel like my work ethic and just the amount of rest that I apply on my body. I feel like recovery is a big part. And then I love to sleep also. And that kind of brings us into this conversation that we are now. My Sleep Number bed helps me a lot.
It helps my body as far as recovery-wise if I'm sore, I can kind of adjust it to wherever I need. And if not, if I just want to rest on a cloud, I can definitely do that. But sleep definitely helps me a lot and just kind of being consistent. Just maintaining the same habits and just letting my body just adapt.
MICHELLE GINGRAS: You've been compared to a lot to be DeAndre Hopkins. Are you all right with that, that comparison? That's not too bad.
CEEDEE LAMB: Oh, yeah. That's great company if you ask me.
MICHELLE GINGRAS: What similarities do you see between the two of you?
CEEDEE LAMB: At the catch point. De-Hop does a great job of just being aggressive, and he's always open even if he's covered. So just kind of watching a guy like that and a lot of people see a lot of my game resembles him, and that's huge honor on my end. Because DeAndre Hopkins is like one of the top 35 receivers in the league right now.
MICHELLE GINGRAS: You caught passes at Oklahoma from Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts. Do you think playing alongside three NFL-caliber quarterbacks has kind of helped you prepare for the next level?
CEEDEE LAMB: In college, you know, a lot of people don't get three Heisman finalists back to back. So I definitely got blessed with that one. And I just being with them guys-- it definitely taught me a lot just simply because they have a year ahead of me. And I saw how they produced in the league, and they look real good.
And just seeing them guys work day in and day out and just seeing how they progressed as quarterbacks and as rookies, just the way they carry themselves. And then just how productive they've been out in the field. So it's definitely an energy boost to it.
MICHELLE GINGRAS: All right, so the draft obviously coming up. Do you have any special plans for how you plan on watching it, or are you going to wear a suit?
CEEDEE LAMB: Yeah, I'm going to wear a suit for sure.
MICHELLE GINGRAS: Good.
CEEDEE LAMB: I'm definitely going to have to just kind of envision myself in Vegas and confidently meet Roger Goodell. But I'm definitely wearing a suit for sure.
MICHELLE GINGRAS: All right. Well, good luck to you. We can't wait to see where you end up. For all things NFL, make sure you keep it locked right here on Yahoo Sports.
