The Las Vegas Raiders brought in some new players in the 2020 Draft. I discuss the value of the picks and predict how they may be used next season.
The 2020 NFL Draft, once scheduled to be an introduction to the Las Vegas market, was completed remotely due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. As the world adjusts to a new normal, the NFL and the Las Vegas Raiders continued preparation for a new season. Going into the draft, the Raiders had needs at WR and in the secondary. They finished with seven new players.
Round 1 - #12 - Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
The Raiders took the first receiver off the board with Henry Ruggs III. He was drafted in front of fan-favorite CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma and consensus top-selection teammate Jerry Jeudy. In truth, it is a very "Raiders" pick. Ruggs is the fastest receiver in the draft, having run a blazing 4.27 at the NFL Combine. His speed was evident in his game tape as well. Ruggs was not used as heavily as teammate Jeudy in terms of volume, but was explosive when he did touch the football. At just around 6'0, Ruggs does not possess ideal height, but is an excellent jumper and does well going up to get the ball. He projects as a good fit with Derek Carr in Jon Gruden's offense. The consensus was that the Raiders' biggest need was at this position - the question of whether they selected the right player can only be answered in time.
Round 1 - #19 - Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio St.
Arnette's selection was the surprise of the draft for many. Some projected him as a 2nd or 3rd round pick, but GM Mike Mayock and Coach Jon Gruden opted to select him with their second selection in the first round. Together with RB Josh Jacobs, Arnette forms the bulk of the return in the Khalil Mack trade. He is a physical, in-your-face, type of corner. From GM Mayock: "He played last year hurt with a broken right wrist. I think he is the best tackler in this draft. I think he is an old-school bump-and-run Raiders cornerback that’s physical and nasty.” Arnette will likely start alongside 2019 second rounder Trayvon Mullen to form a very young CB partnership.
Round 3 - #80 - Lynn Bowden Jr., RB/ATH, Kentucky
In Lynn Bowden, the Raiders select one of the most versatile players in the 2020 NFL Draft. In his junior season for Kentucky, Bowden won the Hornung Award for the nation's most versatile player. He was used primarily as an athlete/slot WR option before injuries forced him to start at quarterback for the Wildcats. He rushed for nearly 1500 yards and 13 TDs. Bowden projects as a playmaker at the next level - but from which position remains to be seen. He was announced as a running back during the draft, and given the Raiders need for depth at the position that makes sense. But Bowden will also likely return kicks, play QB in wildcat formations and line up as a receiver. He is a unique addition to the Raiders offense and I am interested to see how he will ultimately be used.
Round 3 - #81 - Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
The Raiders double (or perhaps triple) dipped at this position in the 2020 Draft. Edwards finished his career at South Carolina as the all-time leader for receiving yards at South Carolina, eclipsing names like Alshon Jeffery and Sterling Sharpe. At 6'3 with a big frame, Edwards projects as a possession receiver in the Raiders' offense, potentially as the successor to veteran Tyrell Williams. In 2020, Edwards will compete in a suddenly crowded receiver room with Williams, Hunter Renfrow, veterans Nelson Agholor and Zay Jones, and fellow rookie Henry Ruggs.
Round 3 - #100 - Tanner Muse, S/LB, Clemson
Mike Mayock literally cannot stop drafting Clemson players. Muse is a hybrid safety/linebacker. He started every game during Clemson's 2018 national championship run and had an even more productive senior season (4 INT, 2 sacks, 6 TFL). At the next level, he will initially start as a special teamer as he looks to add more weight to his frame and likely transition to full-time linebacker. Muse's ability to cover TE's was likely a consideration in a division where Travis Kelce consistently punishes the Raiders.
Round 4 - #109 - John Simpson, G, Clemson
What if I told you that Mike Mayock would select yet another Clemson player? Simpson's selection addresses depth and a potential future starter along the O-line. Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson are penciled in as starters in 2020. Denzelle Good was also retained and performed well filling in for an injured Jackson in 2019. Simpson has prototypical size and strength for the position, although there are questions about his abilities to pass protect. With Gabe Jackson the target of frequent trade rumors, might Simpson be in line to start sooner rather than later?
Round 5 - #139 - Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
Robertson projects as a slot corner in the NFL. He is smaller (around 5'9) but is very physical for his size. He was very productive in Conference USA, tallying 14 career interceptions. In his senior season, he tied for the lead in the nation by forcing 16 pass breakups. His strength is playing press coverage and Robertson plays with a visible swagger. Robertson will likely compete with veteran Lamarcus Joyner in 2020 to start at nickel CB.
The 2020 NFL Draft, once scheduled to be an introduction to the Las Vegas market, was completed remotely due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. As the world adjusts to a new normal, the NFL and the Las Vegas Raiders continued preparation for a new season. Going into the draft, the Raiders had needs at WR and in the secondary. They finished with seven new players.
Round 1 - #12 - Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
The Raiders took the first receiver off the board with Henry Ruggs III. He was drafted in front of fan-favorite CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma and consensus top-selection teammate Jerry Jeudy. In truth, it is a very "Raiders" pick. Ruggs is the fastest receiver in the draft, having run a blazing 4.27 at the NFL Combine. His speed was evident in his game tape as well. Ruggs was not used as heavily as teammate Jeudy in terms of volume, but was explosive when he did touch the football. At just around 6'0, Ruggs does not possess ideal height, but is an excellent jumper and does well going up to get the ball. He projects as a good fit with Derek Carr in Jon Gruden's offense. The consensus was that the Raiders' biggest need was at this position - the question of whether they selected the right player can only be answered in time.
Round 1 - #19 - Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio St.
Arnette's selection was the surprise of the draft for many. Some projected him as a 2nd or 3rd round pick, but GM Mike Mayock and Coach Jon Gruden opted to select him with their second selection in the first round. Together with RB Josh Jacobs, Arnette forms the bulk of the return in the Khalil Mack trade. He is a physical, in-your-face, type of corner. From GM Mayock: "He played last year hurt with a broken right wrist. I think he is the best tackler in this draft. I think he is an old-school bump-and-run Raiders cornerback that’s physical and nasty.” Arnette will likely start alongside 2019 second rounder Trayvon Mullen to form a very young CB partnership.
Round 3 - #80 - Lynn Bowden Jr., RB/ATH, Kentucky
In Lynn Bowden, the Raiders select one of the most versatile players in the 2020 NFL Draft. In his junior season for Kentucky, Bowden won the Hornung Award for the nation's most versatile player. He was used primarily as an athlete/slot WR option before injuries forced him to start at quarterback for the Wildcats. He rushed for nearly 1500 yards and 13 TDs. Bowden projects as a playmaker at the next level - but from which position remains to be seen. He was announced as a running back during the draft, and given the Raiders need for depth at the position that makes sense. But Bowden will also likely return kicks, play QB in wildcat formations and line up as a receiver. He is a unique addition to the Raiders offense and I am interested to see how he will ultimately be used.
Round 3 - #81 - Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
The Raiders double (or perhaps triple) dipped at this position in the 2020 Draft. Edwards finished his career at South Carolina as the all-time leader for receiving yards at South Carolina, eclipsing names like Alshon Jeffery and Sterling Sharpe. At 6'3 with a big frame, Edwards projects as a possession receiver in the Raiders' offense, potentially as the successor to veteran Tyrell Williams. In 2020, Edwards will compete in a suddenly crowded receiver room with Williams, Hunter Renfrow, veterans Nelson Agholor and Zay Jones, and fellow rookie Henry Ruggs.
Round 3 - #100 - Tanner Muse, S/LB, Clemson
Mike Mayock literally cannot stop drafting Clemson players. Muse is a hybrid safety/linebacker. He started every game during Clemson's 2018 national championship run and had an even more productive senior season (4 INT, 2 sacks, 6 TFL). At the next level, he will initially start as a special teamer as he looks to add more weight to his frame and likely transition to full-time linebacker. Muse's ability to cover TE's was likely a consideration in a division where Travis Kelce consistently punishes the Raiders.
Round 4 - #109 - John Simpson, G, Clemson
What if I told you that Mike Mayock would select yet another Clemson player? Simpson's selection addresses depth and a potential future starter along the O-line. Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson are penciled in as starters in 2020. Denzelle Good was also retained and performed well filling in for an injured Jackson in 2019. Simpson has prototypical size and strength for the position, although there are questions about his abilities to pass protect. With Gabe Jackson the target of frequent trade rumors, might Simpson be in line to start sooner rather than later?
Round 5 - #139 - Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
Robertson projects as a slot corner in the NFL. He is smaller (around 5'9) but is very physical for his size. He was very productive in Conference USA, tallying 14 career interceptions. In his senior season, he tied for the lead in the nation by forcing 16 pass breakups. His strength is playing press coverage and Robertson plays with a visible swagger. Robertson will likely compete with veteran Lamarcus Joyner in 2020 to start at nickel CB.
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