2020 NFL Draft: 5 players Eagles could take in Round 1

Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers runs with the ball after a 56-yard pass from Joe Burrow during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

2. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama receiver

DeSean Jackson can’t operate as the Eagles’ speed guy at wide receiver forever. Drafting Ruggs in Round 1 would give Philadelphia’s offense another track star to work with on the outside or in the slot.

The downside to taking Ruggs in the short-term is that he’s too similar to Jackson. Crafting routes that feature both guys on the field at the same time would be a bit of a challenge for Pederson and his coaching staff. That’s not a reason for the Eagles to dismiss the idea of drafting Ruggs entirely.

In the long run, Ruggs is a terrific compliment for Alshon Jeffery. He didn’t reach his goal of setting a new 40-yard dash time at the Combine, but he’s still got world-class wheels. He ran away from high-quality SEC defensive backs on a regular basis during his time at Alabama.

Ruggs isn’t going to walk into the NFL as a finished product, but his speed is going to get him selected in Round 1. He’d be an excellent choice for the Eagles, but he’s too similar to Jackson to be their ideal selection. That honor goes to the last guy on this list.

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