The Raiders’ rebuild had its best moment in Sunday’s win against the Chiefs, and the return of Henry Ruggs III was an unmistakable factor in Las Vegas’ big victory.
After missing two games, Ruggs III made an impact early on, with a superb grab off a defender’s helmet for 46 yards, leading to a Raiders field goal. Later, he hauled in a 72-yard touchdown from quarterback Derek Carr, giving the Raiders a 24-21 lead.
Those were his only two catches, but his mere presence made a difference, as the rookie has speed to burn. The Raiders are now 3-0 when Ruggs III starts, and the impact he made in Las Vegas’ big win against the Chiefs is exactly why coach Jon Gruden drafted him in the first round.
“Well, yeah, I mean we didn’t bring him in here to run hitch routes,” Gruden told reporters after the game. “He can really run and we’ve got to be better at getting him the ball in other areas because he’s a great route runner.”
Ruggs has certainly shown more skills than expected from a typical speed-first wide receiver. He’s impressed Gruden with his route running and proven strong when catching the football, showing phenomenal body control and concentration.
It all makes his speed that much more potent. Ruggs knows that despite having just two catches, he affected the Chiefs’ defense just as Gruden had planned.
“I know I have a role in the offense. I came in because the organization saw something in me and they saw something that I could use my talents and help the offense and help the team out so that’s what I’m doing,” Ruggs told reporters after the game. “Me being a speed guy, that’s one thing that people are looking for and defenses have to account for … I think that’s a big factor in the game plan and one thing that you have to be always aware of.”
Ruggs’ performance thus far is impossible to ignore. Las Vegas can only hope he can stay healthy for the rest of the campaign. It’s not every year that a team can draft a player in the first round and have him perform exactly as expected, but so far in 2020, the Raiders’ rookie has accomplished that.
