USA TODAY Sports
The Raiders have a history of embracing really fast receivers. They made the fastest receiver (and player) in the 2020 concept where the first receiver was chosen.
Alabama’s Henry Ruggs, generally ranked twelfth, becomes the last speedster in a tradition dating back to James Jett and Cliff Branch.
“He’s fast,” Darren Waller told reporters on Friday. “It simply came to our notice then. It looks difficult. I know it is not, but I mean I have not seen anything of it yet. ”
Waller also said that although Ruggs looked at a 4.27-second 40-yard dash on the Scouting Combine, a friend said Ruggs’ speed was an equal roach [you put] turn on the lights. ”
Speed definitely makes a big difference, especially since it relates to stretching a defense, forcing the secondary to cover the entire field, and opening the underdogs for other potential passers-by. But speed alone will not get it at the NFL level. Ruggs will need to show that he can get away from strong, capable angles that will pity Ruggs on the line of scrimmage, slow him down, disrupt the timing of his route, and / or divert his path. He will also need to show that he can make a catch with an NFL caliber safety ready to deliver a big hit, even if receivers are less susceptible to an enormous hit while in the process of catching one make as before.
However, enough things about the receiving position can be acquired or learned. One thing can not: the ability to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible. Ruggs has that.
