NFL Scouting Report: WR Henry Ruggs III (Alabama)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: WR

Hometown: Montgomery, AL

School: Alabama

Class: Junior

Age: 21

Height: 5’11″ (22%) | Weight: 188 lbs (18%)

Hands: 10.13” (90%) | Arms: 30.5” (13%)

Bench: N/A | 40 Time: 4.27s (98%)

Facts to Know

Fastest 40 yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine (4.27s)
Only 5 career drops on 139 total targets (2.4% drop rate in 2019)
24 career TD receptions ranks 3rd in Alabama history (Cooper, Jeudy)
Career 151.4 passer rating when targeted

Physical Tools

The athleticism of Henry Ruggs will go down as legendary status. A two-way athlete with a 42 inch (standing vertical) and 4.2 speed.
This is Ruggs playing basketball in high school. @__RUGGS pic.twitter.com/zESs1mOwoh
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) March 1, 2020

Pros

Blazing speed (4.27s 40)
Incredibly quick and explosive
All-around athlete, not just fast — 2nd in vertical, T-4th in broad jump
142 SPARQ rating — 99th percentile at WR
Surprising strength for his size
Huge hands (10.13”)

Cons

Slight frame (5’11”, 188 lbs)
Relatively short arms (30.5”)

Grade: A-

Game Film

Pros

Quite comfortable out wide and against press coverage
Willing to take shots across the middle of the field
Undervalued route running ability
Very reliable hands
Dangerous YAC threat by virtue of his speed, explosiveness
Effectively tracks deep balls
Makes adjustments at the catch point

Cons

Inconsistent releases, especially when jammed
Needs to be more physical on his routes
Hand usage at the LOS and downfield could improve

Grade: A-

Production

Pros

Career 151.4 passer rating when targeted
Only 5 drops over 3 seasons
10.5 YAC per reception (T-10th)
3rd-most career TDs in Alabama history (24)
91.8 PFF intermediate grade (T-17th)
Nearly 80% of career snaps have come out wide

Cons

Season-high is 46 rec/744 yards
Only 55 targets in 2019 (nearly half of Jeudy’s target share)
Lackluster 68.8 PFF deep, 67.1 PFF short grades

Grade: A-

Risk

Pros

Pro-level offensive system
Extremely athletic, not just fast
The very definition of a “home run threat”
Produces at an extremely high level with low volume — absurd rate stats
Experienced and comfortable out wide (~80% of snaps)
Instant impact, Offensive ROY potential
Ceiling of a top-tier weapon in NFL

Cons

Smaller frame is a concern but he’s been durable thus far
May have over-benefitted from an immensely talented WR corps — 4 potential 1st rounders
Low volume — can his body handle a significant uptick in usage?

Grade: A-

Overall

One of the most electric playmakers in this year’s draft, Ruggs’ legendary speed made his 40-yard dash must-watch TV. Though Ruggs is a certified burner, he’s a much more complete player than given credit for, and despite relatively low volume in targets, the rate at which he produced is staggering. A great route runner and explosive threat after the catch to go along with unmatched speed, Ruggs should be able to produce immediately and create openings underneath for the rest of his offense.

Pro Comp: WR DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles)

Projected Round: Mid-1st Round

Prime Destinations: JAX, NYJ, LVR, SF, DEN

OVERALL Grade: A-