Former Crimson Tide wide receivers duo producing in the NFL
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (BVM) — Both college football national champions and first-round draft picks, NFL wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III are already contributing for their respective NFL teams. Two weeks into their rookie seasons and the pair of highly-touted wideouts are starters.
However, the former Crimson Tide athletes have yet to hit pay dirt. But after building impressive resumes at the University of Alabama, that is expected to change. The lethal offensive threats are viewed as franchise-changing talents, and with certain situations unfolding within both players’ organizations, their opportunities for the remainder of the season will be plentiful.
Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders
So far through two games, Ruggs III has corralled just four passess for a total of 59 yards. But there is a silver lining, as the 6-foot speed demon has been on the field for 91 percent of the team’s snaps. He’s going to run his fair share of routes, meaning pass-catching chances will be there.
Especially because the wide receiver position is lacking for the Raiders. Their No. 1 option Tyrell Williams, who has a torn labrum, was announced as out for the season before it even began. That left quarterback Derek Carr with a lot of unproven options. One being Nelson Agholor who underwhelmed in his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, another being second-year man Hunter Renfrow, and another being former Buffalo Bill Zay Jones.
Outside of the guys with experience, that meant two rookies, Ruggs III and third-round pick Bryan Edwards, would be getting some run.
Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III is a rookie to watch on MNF ⚡️
(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/bIKXYAfpAk
— ESPN (@espn) September 21, 2020
Although emerging tight end Darren Waller and star running back Josh Jacobs will eat up a lot of the offensive action this season, Ruggs III will get his opportunities. He’s registered eight targets up to this point, averaging 14.8 yards per catch.
Ruggs III will face his toughest NFL test though this coming Sunday when the Raiders travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots. As Ruggs III continues to make waves around the league, this means he’ll draw tougher assignments. Against the Pats, he may draw coverage from all-pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Regardless, the winning ways he was stuck in at Alabama have come with him to Las Vegas. The Raiders are 2-0, which is a small sample size, but this may come as a surprise to many.
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Jeudy has been the better of the two rookies so far, but he’s also in a situation better suited for success. Although the 6-foot-1-inch wideout has created some buzz surrounding his name, the Broncos offense has many weapons every which way. With players like Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, Melvin Gordon and fellow rookie KJ Hamler encompassing Jeudy, opposing teams have to pick and choose who they want to focus on most. Turns out, they’ve set the bulk of their attention on guys who have been around longer like Gordon and Fant, making Jeudy prove himself instead.
Through two games, the Crimson Tide product has logged 15 targets, turning eight of them into receptions as he tries to build a rapport with quarterback Drew Lock. He did lose one fumble, but he’s gone for 118 yards, averaging 14.8 yards per catch, the exact same number as his Alabama counterpart, Ruggs III.
Jerry Jeudy fearless through traffic holding onto this despite Devin Bush laying the boom. Jeudy now down… pic.twitter.com/iSByyVd0n2
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 20, 2020
With Broncos star wide receiver Courtlund Sutton now out for the year after tearing his ACL and MCL, Jeudy will be looked at more often. The opportunities will be there, but now he’ll have to catch his passes from a different quarterback. Drew Lock has a rotator cuff injury, expected to keep him sidelined for at least three weeks. So while Jeudy will get more chances, he’ll also be learning the tendencies of a new QB.
The Broncos signed veteran QB Blake Bortles in the wake of the Lock injury, but also have fifth-year man Jeff Driskel rostered, who is expected to start.
This week, Jeudy will have a good chance to reach the endzone for the first time in his blossoming career as the Broncos host the Buccaneers, who have allowed 565 yards through the air in just two games.
Consensus
Alabama continues to dominate the college football world, sending loads of players to the league every year; players that last. This season, there are currently 72 former Crimson Tide players on NFL rosters.
With the always-amazing Nick Saban at the helm, Ruggs III and Jeudy are coached the right way and know all about winning. Expect them to stick around for years to come and eventually, make Pro Bowl appearances.
