2020 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings: Pro comparisons for top 10 receivers

Pro comparisons for the top 10 wide receiver prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, including CeeDee Lamb who looks like the next Deandre Hopkins.

If your favorite NFL team is in need of a new wide receiver, the 2020 NFL Draft is the place to find one. This is perhaps the deeper wide receiver class we’ve ever seen. There could be between five and eight players picked in the first round and as many as 20 receivers taken in the first three rounds. It’s absolutely stacked with great talent and all kinds of versatile body types and prospects to do all sorts of various things asked of the position.

The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 23 and while it’ll be a little different look with it taking place virtually, the same concept of drafting prospects and hoping they hit on the best-case scenario is always the same.

Below are my top 10 wide receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft and the pro comparisons for each prospect.

2020 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings and pro comparisons

1. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

The 6-foot-2, 198-pound CeeDee Lamb caught anything that was remotely near him during his time at Oklahoma where he was on the receiving end of passes from Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield. He helped them become Heisman winners/finalists as much as they helped him rack up monster numbers. Lamb ran a 4.5 at the combine but uses his game speed and acceleration to create separation. He was a big-play threat for Oklahoma, one of the most explosive units in college the last few years, and should be a Day 1 starter in the NFL. He’s the second coming of Deandre Hopkins and will make a series of one-handed catches throughout his career.

Pro comparison: Deandre Hopkins

2. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound Jerry Jeudy was the leading receiver at Alabama over the last two years. At one time, Jeudy was looked at as the potential No. 1 prospect in the draft due to his otherworldly route-running ability, top-end speed and his elite production in the SEC. Jeudy ran a 4.45 40 at the combine and has some positional versatility where he can line up at any of the receiver positions. Alabama has sent Julio Jones, Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley to the NFL and Jeudy most closely resembles fellow Biletnikoff winner, Cooper.

Pro comparison: Amari Cooper

3. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama

Alabama’s wide receiver room was absolutely loaded the last couple of years with Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. Ruggs may have been the alpha dog in the room. Blessed with 4.27 speed, Ruggs is the fastest prospect in the entire draft and brings rare speed that needs to be accounted for on every play. Ruggs can also help out in special teams. He won’t be a high volume receiver, but he’ll take one target and turn it into an 80-yard touchdown in nine seconds.

Pro comparison: Tyreek Hill

4. Justin Jefferson, LSU

The 6-1, 202-pound Justin Jefferson was one of the top targets for Joe Burrow last season for the national champions. Jefferson answered some questions about his straight-line speed when he ran a 4.43 40 at the combine. Jefferson can play on the perimeter but he can also line up in the slot and use his sudden initial burst to create separation in space. He’ll be a dependable target for whoever his quarterback ends up being.

Pro comparison: Reggie Wayne

5. KJ Hamler, Penn State

KJ Hamler is on the smaller side at only 5-foot-9 and 178 pounds but he can absolutely fly. He didn’t run at the combine but he likely would have been among the fastest prospects at the position outside of Ruggs. Hamler can run in the 4.3 range and that type of speed from the slot makes him a dangerous matchup. He excelled in all phases in the return game and can be used in the run game to get the ball in his hands in space. He won’t be a fit for every system because of his size limitations but the speed is a great equalizer.

Pro comparison: Tavon Austin