2020 NFL Draft Prop Bets: Total Wide Receivers Drafted in the First Round
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The 2020 NFL Draft will go down at the regularly scheduled time, though the scene will look quite different than years past. Originally scheduled to occur in a lavish Las Vegas setting, this year’s rendition will take place over video conferencing due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The 2020 rookie class offers a good mix of offensive and defensive players, with no shortage of talent on both sides of the ball. The quarterback position is even more stacked than most years, and there’s another position that has an influx of talent waiting to get drafted later this month.
More so than any year in recent memory, the wide receiver position offers a plethora of players that could realistically go in the first round. Let’s take a look at some of the best receivers in the class and see where we fall on a prop bet our friends over at FanDuel have posted.
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CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma)
Arguably the most polished wide receiver in this class, Lamb is a fantastic route-runner who has the size and strength to make a day-one impact at the next level. Although not the fastest of the lot, Lamb raked in 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final season at Oklahoma despite having a run-first option at quarterback. All accounts confirm a strong interview performance at the NFL Scouting Combine as well.
Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)
One of, if not the best route-runner in the class, Jeudy has breakaway speed in the open field which was on constant display during his time at Alabama. Jeudy ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the combine, which is impressive given his larger frame and arm span. His ability (and willingness) to block downfield really set him apart from the receivers that should come after him.
Henry Ruggs III (Alabama)
Running a 4.27 40-yard dash at the combine, Ruggs III is the fastest receiver in the class by an almost full 0.2 seconds. His ability to stretch the field will provide immediate value, and his lack of production at Alabama could have been expected with the studs around him. A likely WR1 for most other schools, Ruggs III possesses the ability to be a star if put in the right situation.
Tee Higgins (Clemson)
At 6’4″ and 214 pounds, Clemson product Tee Higgins is the biggest option in the sure-fire first-round class, and his ability to go up and get it was a luxury Trevor Lawrence will certainly miss this season. Even in the pros, he’ll be a matchup nightmare for defenses. That alone should make Higgins an almost guaranteed first-round pick.
Justin Jefferson (LSU)
Runaway Heisman winner and this year’s almost-certain first overall pick, Joe Burrow, has Jefferson to thank for some of his eye-popping statistics at LSU. In his last season as a Tiger, Jefferson put up 1,540 yards on 111 receptions to go along with 18 touchdowns. A faster than anticipated 40 time (4.43) at the combine should help Jefferson’s draft stock as well.
Chase Claypool (Notre Dame)
In most draft classes, Claypool would be an almost certain first-round pick given his mix of size (6’4″, 238 pounds) and speed (4.42 40 time at the combine). Adding his ability to get yards after the catch should still be enough to get him picked on the first day of this draft.
Bottom Line
I like all six of these guys to go in the first round with the receiver position being a need for nearly every team picking. Jalen Reagor out of TCU and even Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk have the first-round talent as well, so I like the chances of going over 5.5 receivers taken in the first.
Pick: OVER 5.5 (-215)
TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.