When the Las Vegas Raiders selected wide receiver Henry Ruggs III with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, everyone knew it was an excellent pick. Ruggs saw his draft stock rise steadily throughout the entire draft process and has legitimate superstar potential for the future.
Jon Gruden and company have been searching for more playmaking and speed at the wide receiver. If there is one word that would describe Ruggs, it would be speed. In fact, he seems ready to take over the role that Antonio Brown was supposed to play.
Everyone remembers the big trade the Raiders made to acquire Brown. They also remember the absolute headache that Brown brought to the franchise. He ended up being released without playing a single game with the Raiders.
However, Ruggs is a different story. He is coming in to put in work and make the Raiders a better football team. One Raiders source has opened up about the role that Ruggs is going to play as a rookie.
“Ruggs is going to pick up what AB was supposed to do last season,” one Raiders source said. “This is a mature bunch of young receivers, but they’re attacking camp like pros. Carr loves them already.”
There is no question that Ruggs has the kind of skill-set that could be similar to that of Brown. He has great speed, excellent route-running, top-notch hands, and the drive to be great. Ruggs just happens to come without the off-the-field drama that has followed Brown since he left the Steelers.
The Raiders are going to be a very intriguing team to keep an eye on this season. Gruden and Mike Mayock have been building the roster the right way. They took a step forward last season and are expected to do the same in 2020.
Offensively, Derek Carr has to love what he sees being built around him. If he can step up this season, the Raiders could be a Wild Card threat.
Around Carr, the Raiders have brought in plenty of weapons. Josh Jacobs was drafted in the first round last year, Tyrell Williams was signed in free agency, Hunter Renfrow was also drafted last year, and Darren Waller emerged as a legitimate star tight end.
With Henry Ruggs III now in the mix, this offense is going to be fun to watch. The Raiders are going to enjoy seeing him fulfill the role that Antonio Brown was supposed to have and he might just do it even better.
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