The NFL Combine offered the Philadelphia Eagles and head coach Doug Pederson and up-close view of some dazzling wide receivers putting their skills on display.
Alabama’s Henry Ruggs made himself millions, clocking a 4.27 40-yard dash at Lucas Oil Stadium. Ruggs didn’t break John Ross’s record of 4.22, but he definitely ensured he won’t be available for the Eagles at pick No. 21.
With several guys helping and hurting themselves, here are five takeaways from the wide receiver portion of the NFL Combine.
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1. Eagles will need to trade up to land Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb or Henry Ruggs III.
Ruggs III blazed a blistering 4.28 40-yard dash on his first attempt at Lucas Oil Field, further cementing his status as a legit top-10 talent.
Ruggs time was officially changed to 4.27.
Jeudy is a polished route-runner and pass-catcher with a game that’s ideally suited for the No. 1 receiver spot in the NFL.
Lamb is an athletic playmaker with outstanding ball skills who is set to become a monster in the NFL. Lamb combines his exceptional pass-catching skills with big-play skills and the ability to turn a short play into a score.
2. Justin Jefferson and Denzel Mims are definitely options
Jefferson and Mims are both on the Eagles radar and both placed themselves firmly in the first-round conversation after their combine performances.
Jefferson ran much faster than expected with his 4.43 and after a 2019 season that saw him catch 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns, the LSU star made himself some money.
Mims opened a lot of eyes with a 4.38 Thursday night and after generally being considered a second-round talent before the Combine, the physical 6-3, 210-pound wideout could push himself into the first round.
3. Chase Claypool could be an option
We mentioned the former Notre Dame stud as an option for the Eagles and if they choose not to go wideout with their first pick, then he could be a value pick in the second round.
At 6-4, 240-pounds with the ability to line up as a tight end, Claypool may have given coaches pause about a position change after he ran a 4.42, making him the first receiver over 230 pounds to run sub-4.45 since Calvin Johnson in 2007.
4. Tee Higgins/Laviska Shenault could give the Eagles pause?
Higgins didn’t run or participate in any drills after previously predicting that he would prove the doubters wrong about his speed. Higgins is a talented wideout, but his size, lack of blazing speed and penchant for struggling against press coverage could be a concern for any team drafting him.
For the Eagles, it could be a no-no.
For Shenault Jr., he ran and then bowed out after announcing he’d have a similar core muscle surgery to that of the Eagles DeSean Jackson.
Shenault was considered a late first-round or early second-rounder and after some massive pre-combine hype, he could fall back some.
5. Eagles could find options in later rounds
If the Birds don’t go wide receiver or decide they want to add more route runners, the middle to late rounds offers several talented options. names like Binjimen Victor (Ohio State), Van Jefferson (Florida), Quez Watkins (Southern Miss), Darnell Mooney (Tulane) Devin Duvernay (Texas) and Antonio Gibson (Memphis).
Duvernay ran an official 4.39 and could be a steal in the draft while working out the slot in the NFL.
6. Jalen Reagor could slip to round 2
Reagor logged 42 inches in the vertical jump and 138 inches in the broad jump, but his 40-yard dash time left a lot to be desired.
Reagor clocked his 40-yard dash with a 4.47 unofficial time and while it is fast, it’s not the explosive time that had some experts predicting a top-15 or top-20 selection.
