Ranking the top 10 wide receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft following the Combine

With the 2020 NFL Combine in the rearview mirror, we basically now have full pictures of what draft prospects have to offer. With this information in hand, I will be ranking the top ten players at each draft position over the next few weeks.

This wide receiver class is potentially historic in terms of depth and top end talent. This is good for an Eagles team that desperately needs help at the position. All types of wide receivers can be found in this class: Deep threats, red zone targets, route running extraordinaires, YAC-able receivers and many more. Here are the ten best in the 2020 NFL Draft.

10. Justin Jefferson, LSU: In any other draft class, Justin Jefferson would be a surefire top 40 player. Jefferson is a cerebral receiver who attacks the middle of the field with great confidence and awareness. He knows how to get open against zone defenses and is sure handed over the middle of the field. Despite being a big receiver, he is hardly just a possession receiver. He has great speed at his size and does a great job running hard after the catch. Jefferson is a true mismatch as a slot receiver.

9. Brandon Aiyuk, ASU: One of the best deep threats in this class. Brandon Aiyuk wins at the line with savvy moves and does a good job winning late in the route to make big catches. Aiyuk’s combination of ball skills and route running help him win down the field and make a difference as a big play target.

8. KJ Hamler, Penn State: Hamler will get knocked for being slightly smaller, but his combination of speed, quickness and route running make him an intriguing weapon in this draft class. Hamler was dangerous at Penn State and his upside is enough to assuage fears about size or inconsistent hands.

7. Denzel Mims, Baylor: Mims had a productive final season at Baylor and proceeded to have an outstanding offseason; shining at the Senior Bowl and the Combine. Mims is highly athletic and wins above the rim as a receiver. He is far from the most polished receiver in the class, but his upside means teams could target him highly.

6. Jalen Reagor, TCU: Jalen Reagor is not only a freakish athlete, but he is one of the most dangerous players in the draft with the ball in his hands. He is as explosive as anyone. Reagor needs to improve against more physical defensive backs, but he is the type of player who can be creatively deployed to get him the ball early in his career while he improves as a pure receiver.

5. Laviska Shenault Junior, Colorado: Despite not having a great combine, I refuse to hop off the Laviska Shenault hype train. Shenault’s biggest concerns for me are still his health, but on the field he is an impact player. At 6’1” and 227 pounds, Shenault has running back qualities when he is running after the catch. He runs hard and has great vision. Shenault’s health will be the X-Factor in his draft stock, but there is no doubt about what he can do on the field.

4. Tee Higgins, Clemson: Higgins has been overthought this offseason. Just because he isn’t a burner like some of his contemporaries doesn’t mean he’s bad or even just okay. Higgins has been a dominant receiver for the last two years at Clemson. He is a smooth athlete with great size and phenomenal ball skills. Despite being seen as a possession receiver, Higgins was still a major factor down the field for Clemson during his career. His long striding speed makes him dangerous all over the field. Higgins will be an immediate impact player in the NFL.

3. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama: The draft darling of Philadelphia has done nothing this draft cycle to throw cold water on his own hype. Ruggs was a dynamic speedster at Alabama and tested like one. Ruggs is an “angle destroyer” where his speed is almost impossible to mitigate once he’s going.

2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma: CeeDee Lamb was used in a variety of ways at Oklahoma and thrive in every role. The 6’2” receiver is deceptively quick and outstanding after the catch. He can win deep, on short passes and in tight coverage. He is a do it all receiver with the production to back it up.

1 . Jerry Jeudy, Alabama: Despite Alabama being stacked with receivers, Jerry Jeudy was still there top target the last two years. Jeudy is a very good athlete who wins primarily on how savvy he is. Not only is he a great route runner but he has great awareness in his routes. Jeudy plays above the rim for a 6’1” receiver and can win on deep routes as well. It is hard to separate yourself in such a talented draft class; but Jeudy seemingly has the combination of size, skill, production and athleticism.

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