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2020 NFL Draft: Importance of Speed at WR and who’s got next

By Jacob Schyvinck

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 08: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scores a touchdown against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 08: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scores a touchdown against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 9: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to block during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 38-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 9: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to block during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 38-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Henry Ruggs III

One of (if not the best) speedsters in the 2020 NFL Draft is Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III. He’s had first round talk ever since last summer. He had similar seasons in 2018 and ’19, with just over 40 catches and a hair over 740 yards. But, his speed and ability as a route runner will find him success at the next level. Let’s look at a couple clips.

This first clip has been circulating on draft Twitter for quite some time. It’s a very simple display of the speed Ruggs brings to the table, but it’s one reason why teams will be gunning for him in the top half of round one. Here, he takes a simple slant route and outruns everyone in space. Ruggs is the ultimate eraser of angles after the catch, making him so dangerous.

This clip is a personal favorite of mine, and where the vertical threat from Ruggs shows up in other areas of his game. Ruggs gets an initial release to the outside, and the corner immediately turns and chases in man coverage. The instant that the corner turns his head around to the quarterback, Ruggs snaps his route off at the top, and creates separation. That’s how speed kills, especially if you use it to your advantage.

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