We know two things for certain about the 2020 NFL Draft: The wide receiver class is deep and stocked with talent, and the Raiders need a lot of help at wideout.
With five picks in the first 92, it should be a match made in heaven.
General manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden have spent all week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and Thursday they got an up-close look at the best the class has to offer.
While the class is insanely loaded, six receivers dazzled Thursday during drills and testing, no doubt shooting up the Raiders' draft board.
Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
Teams asked Claypool to work out at tight end during the combine, not knowing if he had the athleticism to play wideout at the NFL level.
At 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, the Notre Dame product was a touchdown machine in college. Any doubts about his athleticism and fit should have been put to bed Thursday with his testing.
🏈 4.42 40-yard dash
— PFF (@PFF) February 28, 2020
🏈 19 bench press reps
🏈 6'4"" 238lbs
Chase Claypool had himself a combine!pic.twitter.com/ybFfEKlyjO
Running a 4.43 at 6-foot-4 is some alien-type stuff.
In fact, only one other receiver in history has run a sub 4.45 40 at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds or more.
Calvin Johnson.
In the age of positionless football, just put Claypool on the field and let him go to work.
CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
This is going to be short. I've long believed Lamb is the best receiver in the class and the Raiders should jump at the opportunity to draft him if he's available at No. 12.
He did nothing Thursday to dispel that belief. He just spent it showcasing why he'll be highly coveted in the draft.
Release? pic.twitter.com/A3DSryGwbM
— CeeDee Lamb (@_CeeDeeThree) February 28, 2020
Another look?
Did CeeDee Lamb just solidify WR1 right here? #BoomerSooner @rivalsmike pic.twitter.com/FCUq6SZliB
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) February 28, 2020
Your WR1.
Henry Ruggs, Alabama
Much like Lamb, Ruggs only solidified his position as one of the top-three wideouts in this loaded class.
Have you ever seen a cheetah run on two legs? Here you go.
4.27 40-yard dash ⏩
— PFF (@PFF) February 28, 2020
42"" vertical ⬆️
10'11"" broad jump ➡️
Henry Ruggs turned headspic.twitter.com/44AF7WF5Z8
An effortless 4.27.
In a freaky class, Ruggs is at the top of the class.
Denzel Mims, Baylor
You want to talk stock up? Look no further than Denzel Mims.
The 6-foot-3, 207-pound receiver had the best three-cone time of the night at 6.66, he broad jumped 10' 11'', had a 38.5-inch vertical and ran a 4.38 40-yard dash.
Freaky.
He also looked fluid in pass-catching drills, showing he's not just a workout warrior.
Mims dominated the Senior Bowl and continued his rise in Indianapolis.
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Justin Jefferson, LSU
Despite Jefferson lighting the world of college football on fire this past season, Jefferson entered the combine with some questions about his speed and overall athleticism. Those now are gone.
Justin Jefferson’s 2019 resume:
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) February 28, 2020
No. 1 in NCAA in catches (111)
No. 2 in NCAA in TD (18)
No. 3 in NCAA in yards (1,540)
NFL Combine:
40: 4.43
Vertical: 37.5”
That’s the resume of a first-round pick. Huge stock up day for him.
pic.twitter.com/3iXOrj9Wq8
And since catching the football is the name of the game, he put on a show in The Gauntlet.
The gauntlet with @LSUFootball WR Justin Jefferson! @JJettas2
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/TbWtJ0yWeU— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2020
Jefferson might have had the best overall combine performance. Don't be surprised if the Raiders snatch him up at No. 19.