Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards shine in camp

Speaking with the media at the Las Vegas Raiders training camp, head coach Jon Gruden had high praise for his young players Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards.

“We’re really seeing good things from Ruggs and Bryan Edwards. Really proud of them so far,” Gruden stated, as per Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee.

Second year starters

Entering the 2021 season, wideouts Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards top the depth chart as number one and two. The Raiders drafted both in 2020 and are expecting them to lead their receiving unit this year. Gruden has so far been impressed with their development, and specified their ability to adapt to new offensive roles. Tight end Darren Waller was unavailable for the day’s activities, giving the players additional opportunities.

“We changed the script a little bit and I was encouraged,” Galaviz reports on Gruden’s comments about his receivers.

In the 2020 season, Ruggs and Edwards saw limited targets, but success. Ruggs was targeted 43 times and turned those into 452 yards and two touchdowns. Edwards only saw 15 targets, but caught 11 for 193 yards and a touchdown of his own. The pair averaged over 17 yards a catch, a testament to their speed. Ruggs may be the fastest player in the league, and his increased experience in the NFL will make that talent shine.

When discussing their increased experience, Gruden had more praise for Ruggs and his football IQ.

“I think the big thing with Henry is he’s out here and he’s practicing and he knows the offense. He anticipates what’s going to be called now instead of reacting to what is called as he is lining up.” Gruden said via Galaviz.

Their paths to the NFL

The Raiders thought high enough of the talents Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards possessed to take them both in the 2020 draft. One thing the entire league knew about Ruggs was his game-breaking speed. Entering the draft, Ruggs ran an incredible 40-yard dash at 4.27. This time listed him slightly ahead of NFL speedster Tyreek Hill, who ran a 4.29 in his pro day workout in 2016. His speed is nothing new to Alabama football fans, who watched him run his way into a first round draft pick following his 2019 season with the Crimson Tide.

Over his three years with Alabama, Ruggs earned 1,716 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. His final year in 2019, he was ranked 10th in the SEC by receiving yards but a fantastic third-best in yards per reception. His speed allowed him to 18.7 yards each time the ball went his way. Ruggs was drafted in the first round by the Raiders with the 12th pick in the 2020 draft.

Bryan Edwards later joined him on draft night, being chosen by the Raiders in the third round with the 81st pick. The wideout had an incredible college career with South Carolina. With the Gamecocks, Edwards left college ranked fourth all-time in the SEC in receptions and fifth all-time in receiving yards. A college career with 234 receptions for 3,045 yards made him an appealing prospect for the Raiders as they searched for talent at the position.

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