Jon Gruden, Mike Mayock and the Las Vegas Raiders added some offensive help Thursday night by selecting former Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III with the 12th overall pick.
The selection comes with slight controversy as fellow former Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy and former Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb were still available.
Regardless, Ruggs III becomes the first selection of the now Las Vegas Raiders and former owner Al Davis would be proud. Ruggs III possesses that familiar Raiders speed that prompted Davis to famously say “Speed Kills”.
Ruggs III took over headlines at February’s NFL Combine by running a 4.27 40-yard dash. The speedy wide receiver adds explosiveness to a Raiders offense that lacked it after last offseason’s Antonio Brown saga. Tight end Darren Waller led the team with 1,145 yards and 90 receptions, but the leaders receiver, Tyrell Williams had just 42 receptions for 651 yards and six touchdowns.
Ruggs III averaged 17.5 yards per catch during his three seasons at Alabama. Last year he hauled in 40 receptions for 746 yards and seven touchdowns. He also gives Gruden a dangerous return man.
