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‘Why Henry Ruggs III’
He is undoubtedly the most controversial player in this deep & talented 2020 class.
Henry Ruggs III's world-class athleticism was on full display at the NFL Combine, but why else are NFL evaluators enamored with him besides the physical traits?
Enjoy!
He is undoubtedly the most controversial player in this deep & talented 2020 class.
Henry Ruggs III's world-class athleticism was on full display at the NFL Combine, but why else are NFL evaluators enamored with him besides the physical traits?
Enjoy!
'Versatility through contact’
What stands out with Ruggs is his willingness to initiate contact. For a player less than 190lbs, he boasts high levels of functional strength.
His acceleration capabilities are an aid during collisions, especially once he gets a head of steam.
What stands out with Ruggs is his willingness to initiate contact. For a player less than 190lbs, he boasts high levels of functional strength.
His acceleration capabilities are an aid during collisions, especially once he gets a head of steam.
‘Versatility through contact’
While I do not believe Ruggs will be running through defenders at the next level, he consistently displays an understanding of how to navigate contact types.
This is especially important if an NFL team plans on deploying Ruggs over the middle.
While I do not believe Ruggs will be running through defenders at the next level, he consistently displays an understanding of how to navigate contact types.
This is especially important if an NFL team plans on deploying Ruggs over the middle.
‘Versatility through contact’
There is a fluid, controlled nature to Ruggs’ game that even shows up during collisions.
Ruggs is instinctive & intelligent as a ball-carrier and fights for extra yards consistently.
There is a fluid, controlled nature to Ruggs’ game that even shows up during collisions.
Ruggs is instinctive & intelligent as a ball-carrier and fights for extra yards consistently.
‘Manufactured touches’
At the NFL level, the ‘threat’ of Ruggs as a downfield presence can lead to opportunities to manufacture touches for him around the LOS.
Ruggs is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
At the NFL level, the ‘threat’ of Ruggs as a downfield presence can lead to opportunities to manufacture touches for him around the LOS.
Ruggs is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
‘Manufactured touches’
Ruggs doesn't have the dynamic lateral skillset of his teammate, Jerry Jeudy. However, he is an efficient mover who has excellent field vision that helps him navigate through traffic as a ball-carrier.
It also helps when Josh Jacobs is your lead blocker.
Ruggs doesn't have the dynamic lateral skillset of his teammate, Jerry Jeudy. However, he is an efficient mover who has excellent field vision that helps him navigate through traffic as a ball-carrier.
It also helps when Josh Jacobs is your lead blocker.
’Game speed’
Ruggs has a 'calmness’ to his sprint mechanics that makes it incredibly difficult to gauge proper pursuit angles.
Historically, when it comes to true game speed Ruggs is part of a short list of ball-carriers.
He's in a conversation with names like Johnson & Hill.
Ruggs has a 'calmness’ to his sprint mechanics that makes it incredibly difficult to gauge proper pursuit angles.
Historically, when it comes to true game speed Ruggs is part of a short list of ball-carriers.
He's in a conversation with names like Johnson & Hill.
'Game speed’
NFL defenses will have to respect Ruggs’ top-end speed & acceleration capabilities by giving their corners the necessary cushion to prevent them from getting beat vertically.
Alabama's analytics department had him at 24.3 mph on this play.
Unfathomable, if true.
NFL defenses will have to respect Ruggs’ top-end speed & acceleration capabilities by giving their corners the necessary cushion to prevent them from getting beat vertically.
Alabama's analytics department had him at 24.3 mph on this play.
Unfathomable, if true.
‘In-air athleticism’
Ruggs is an explosive leaper, and has the body-control to win in situations similar to these.
He can control, contort & extend away from his body to make catches that present a high degree of difficulty.
Surprisingly capable 'in-air athlete'
Ruggs is an explosive leaper, and has the body-control to win in situations similar to these.
He can control, contort & extend away from his body to make catches that present a high degree of difficulty.
Surprisingly capable 'in-air athlete'
‘In-air athleticism’
We see flashes of Henry Ruggs the ‘acrobat’ from time to time, and it’s extremely fun to watch.
Ruggs combines his explosive athleticism with unique ‘in-air’ abilities that will allow him to make adjustments to balls that would otherwise be uncatchable.
We see flashes of Henry Ruggs the ‘acrobat’ from time to time, and it’s extremely fun to watch.
Ruggs combines his explosive athleticism with unique ‘in-air’ abilities that will allow him to make adjustments to balls that would otherwise be uncatchable.
‘Contested catch situations’
Often times we view players with similar athletic traits as having a questionable hands and lacking capabilities in contested catch situations.
Ruggs presents a sure-handed target for his quarterback and a willingness to fight through contact.
Often times we view players with similar athletic traits as having a questionable hands and lacking capabilities in contested catch situations.
Ruggs presents a sure-handed target for his quarterback and a willingness to fight through contact.
'Contested catch situations’
Again, Ruggs has field-stretching capabilities, but has a wide-ranging skillset that is more advanced than first glance provides.
It is clear that Ruggs was trusted to make plays at all three levels of the field & can become a red-zone presence.
Again, Ruggs has field-stretching capabilities, but has a wide-ranging skillset that is more advanced than first glance provides.
It is clear that Ruggs was trusted to make plays at all three levels of the field & can become a red-zone presence.
‘Efficiency during outside releases’
Ruggs appears more comfortable when working his releases towards the boundary.
He does a nice job transitioning out of the top of his routes to work back towards the middle of the field.
Ruggs is more 'subtle' than 'sudden'
Ruggs appears more comfortable when working his releases towards the boundary.
He does a nice job transitioning out of the top of his routes to work back towards the middle of the field.
Ruggs is more 'subtle' than 'sudden'
‘Efficiency during outside releases’
Impressed with how he is able to match the physicality of #23 & throw him by on his way back to the football.
Ruggs also has underrated 'stop-start' qualities.
'A Ferrari needs great breaks when you have that type of engine'
Impressed with how he is able to match the physicality of #23 & throw him by on his way back to the football.
Ruggs also has underrated 'stop-start' qualities.
'A Ferrari needs great breaks when you have that type of engine'
‘Struggles with inside separation’
An area that Ruggs appears inconsistent is in finishing plays in which he releases inside.
Ruggs has the separation quickness to beat defenders to his spot, but has a hard time finishing these plays with regularity.
An area that Ruggs appears inconsistent is in finishing plays in which he releases inside.
Ruggs has the separation quickness to beat defenders to his spot, but has a hard time finishing these plays with regularity.
‘Realistic landing spots’
Round 1, Pick 12: Las Vegas
Round 1, Pick 15: Denver
Round 1, Pick 16: Atlanta
Some may not like it, but there is a real chance Ruggs is the first receiver off the board.
The 'threat' he will bring to defensive coordinators in undeniable.
Round 1, Pick 12: Las Vegas
Round 1, Pick 15: Denver
Round 1, Pick 16: Atlanta
Some may not like it, but there is a real chance Ruggs is the first receiver off the board.
The 'threat' he will bring to defensive coordinators in undeniable.
‘Stylistic player comparison’
Ruggs can become a player similar to T.Y Hilton if he gets into a good ecosystem.
People forget that Hilton had 4 straight 1,000 yard seasons from 2013 - 2016.
(Cont.)
Ruggs can become a player similar to T.Y Hilton if he gets into a good ecosystem.
People forget that Hilton had 4 straight 1,000 yard seasons from 2013 - 2016.
(Cont.)
Hilton at his best was a Pro-Bowl caliber receiver for an explosive, Andrew Luck led offense.
Ruggs offers more versatility on manufactured touches, but they have their similarities in how they play the position.
Especially, how they can win with skill as well as speed.
Ruggs offers more versatility on manufactured touches, but they have their similarities in how they play the position.
Especially, how they can win with skill as well as speed.
‘Concerns’
Honestly, a lot of the Henry Ruggs III concerns seem overblown.
Ruggs shows reliable hands, game-breaking speed, and plays the game with a physicality that is rare for his size.
Will he be a WR1? I can’t say, but his impact will stretch far beyond fantasy points.
Honestly, a lot of the Henry Ruggs III concerns seem overblown.
Ruggs shows reliable hands, game-breaking speed, and plays the game with a physicality that is rare for his size.
Will he be a WR1? I can’t say, but his impact will stretch far beyond fantasy points.
