by Michael Stewart @golferbad
Introduction: The 2020 NFL draft will be upon us in no time and this year’s group of wide receivers are possibly the best to come out in a very long time. The Giants are certainly looking to improve the wide receiver position and if that’s the case; this year’s draft has plenty to choose from.
- Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) 6’1/192: Jeudy has been rated the best wide receiver on many draft boards thus far and with good reasons. Jeudy is very well rounded with exceptional speed, great hands, great route runner and a hard worker. Jeudy will be the first wide receiver selected in this year’s draft.
- CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma) 6’2/198: Lamb is an excellent route runner and can catch the ball away from his body. Lamb may not have elite top-end speed, but he makes up for the overall attributes you find in a wide receiver.
- Tee Higgins (Clemson) 6’4/200: Higgins combination of size and speed makes him a very appealing prospect on draft day. Higgins versatility, along with his ability to create separation before and after the catch is a unique quality to have.
- Laviska Shenault (Colorado) 6’2/220: Shenault Jr. is a powerfully built receiver who combines that with speed and size. Shenault Jr. can create separation and catches everything within reach.
- Henry Ruggs III (Alabama) 6’0/183: Ruggs might play in the shadows of Jerry Jeudy, but opposing teams are well aware of where he is on the field. Ruggs has superb burst off the line of scrimmage and is already an established route runner. Soft hands and good body control in traffic makes him an appealing option on draft day.
- Antonio Gandy-Golden (Liberty) 6’4/220: Gandy-Golden may not have the separation speed NFL teams covert, but this kid has game. Gandy-Golden has size, strength and the ability to win one on one battles for the ball.
- Michael Pittman (USC) 6’4/220: Quintessential post up, box out, jump ball receiver in the draft. Has a rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism that makes him extremely effective at the point of the catch. Possesses excellent body control and with his large catch radius and soft hands.
- Denzel Mims (Baylor) 6’2/215: Mims gets overlooked as an elite wide receiver in the draft, but when you look at his film; there’s nothing you don’t like. Mims is big, strong and runs crisp routes with a wide catch radius. Mims blocks extremely well and takes pride in doing so.
- Jalen Reagor (TCU) 5’11/195: Vertical, primarily outside receiver that uses his open field, straight-line speed to force defenses to cover deep zones. At this point, he has done most of his damage with deep go-routes. Able to easily get separation one-on-one and cannot be caught once he gets by a defender.
- Justin Jefferson (LSU) 6’2/203: Excellent on inside routes and excels in zone coverage, creating opportunities at the short and intermediate ranges. Good leaping ability and seems to always come away with contested balls. Jefferson’s performance thus far in the playoffs has propelled him into the top 10.
Final Thoughts:
The 2020 NFL draft is arguably the deepest draft for wide receivers over the last several seasons and could be the deepest position in this year’s draft. The Giants have been linked to drafting a wide receiver with reports that perhaps they could go with Jerry Jeudy in the 1st round. There’s still lots of time from now until the draft for this list to change as the combine is just around the corner.