Henry Ruggs and the Raiders are an Al Davis fever dream
By John Buhler
If Al Davis was still alive, he would be all about Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, who tore it up at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The late Al Davis would have made Henry Ruggs III an Oakland Raider. So much speed.
The Raiders may call Las Vegas home these days, but it doesn’t mean we can’t touch on how much of a Davis fever dream it would be to have the Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver dressed in Silver and Black. What Ruggs did at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis would have had the late Raiders owner pounding his fist on the table to take him No. 12 overall, if not higher.
Though Ruggs never had a 1,000-yard season during his time in Tuscaloosa, nor is he even the best pro prospect out of the Alabama wide receiver corps in this year’s draft (that would be Jerry Jeudy), you can’t deny the impact Ruggs’ 4.27 40-yard dash time and 42-inch vertical leap would have had on Davis’ draft board. He sure loved himself some track stars on his NFL team, didn’t he?
Overall, Ruggs projects as a first-round receiver in the upcoming draft. He may not be a superstar, but he can be an impactful player immediately. Fortunately, Raiders owner Mark Davis’ team can still take Ruggs with either of their first-round picks this spring, as he’s expected to be available for them to pick in the teens.
If the Raiders were to use their own No. 12 pick on Ruggs when Jeudy is still on the board, it would be so Al Davis “Just Win, Baby” Raiders. Get the guy who can fly above all else. Better yet, Ruggs could be a great value pick for the at No. 19 overall, the first-round pick coming the Raiders’ way from the Khalil Mack trade made with the Chicago Bears two years ago.
Taking Ruggs in the top 20 will make the Raiders’ receiving corps better, but he doesn’t project as the No. 1 wideout the Silver and Black in everyone’s else. In short, there’s risk but major reward.
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While it remains to be seen what general manager Mike Mayock wants to do with his eight draft picks this year, don’t be shocked if the Raiders go with a wide receiver their late owner would have loved.
Ruggs could be a good pick for them at No. 12 and maybe even a great pick for Las Vegas at No. 19.