Ranking the top-10 best WR options in the draft for the Eagles

Spoiler: The 2020 WR draft class is very good.

Reality: Eagles need a ton of help at WR.

It's to rank all these super-talented players in an order of what fits the Eagles' needs the best.

1a Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

So basically, trying to decide between the top three options for the Eagles is incredibly hard as each player is extremely gifted and seems primed for success in the NFL. But I'm putting Jeudy at 1a.

What i keep coming back to is his route running, which is unmatched. The snap cuts on both inside and outside breaking routes, the suddenness, adjusting his body naturally at the catch point, and ability to make every route look smooth is unique. He sells his routes better than any WR in the draft - and, frankly, any WR I've seen in recent years.

Jeudy didn't jump out of the screen at the combine, and his 4.45 and 120 inch broad were somewhat expected numbers. He flashes in his speed in between cuts and finesse in running routes - not in simply outrunning people.

Despite having heavy competition for Ruggs, Smith, and Waddle, he still managed to put up back-to-back 1000+ yard seasons, and even then I'd say his skill doesn't match his production. If Jeudy is anywhere close to 15, I'd look for Eagles to trade up in an instant.

1b Henry Ruggs, Alabama

No need to say much about Ruggs. He is arguably the most athletically gifted player in the draft.

Running a 4.27 forty and jumping 42 inches needs no explanation - and it matches the tape perfectly.

Ruggs has what Eagles need the most - speed, the ability to take it to the house on any play. He has played outside and inside WR. He has some finesse to his routes, and is more than just a quick wideout.

Fast players just always go early in the draft, and the buzz around Ruggs may just be enough for Eagles to not have a shot. Unless Howie decides to roll the dice and move up once again.

1c Ceedee Lamb, Oklahoma

Big production, precise route runner, and a YAC ability the Eagles could really use, Lamb presents yet another great option.

Lamb reminds me, in a lot of ways, of Jeudy. Almost the same height around 6'1-6'2, same weight in the 190s lbs, both tremendous route runners, secure hands, and big play ability.

The distance from Jeudy to Ruggs to Lamb is minor. Probably it comes down to small individual evaluation aspects, and even what day it is. I can go back and forth in my head deciding which of these guys are most ideal for Eagles, but honestly, landing any of them would be a difference-maker for Wentz's career.

4 Denzel Mims, Baylor

No good WRs have ever come out of Baylor, right?

Well that's about to change. Denzel Mims caught my eye, like so many others, after the senior bowl, where he tore it up. I was pleasantly surprised going through his tape afterward.

In my notes, I wrote: 'excellent blocker. Rare good lean against press when gaining leverage for deeper routes. Cuts effectively and aggressively on curl and comeback routes. Usually catches contested catches safely over the middle. Big body frame with good positioning. Decent YAC ability.

Mims is not a burner and does have some ugly drops once in a while. Further, although he is excellent on some routes, his route tree is a bit limited.

Add arguably the best senior bowl performance, a killer combine highlighted by a 4.38 forty and insane 6.66 sec 3-cone, Mims is shooting up draft boards. He could very well end up being pick #21.

5 Justin Jefferson, LSU

I have to be honest here. My initial meeting with Jefferson was when I saw the LSU video of "get the gat" at the white house... and i loved it.

Then I went back and watched the video of the 2-year starter. Jefferson was a star in 2019, coming up with an insane 1,500 yards and 18 TDs.

Jefferson separates from the rest of the class with his hands. He catches everything. High, low, behind him, thrown late, with no reaction time. Pulls it all in. He blocks really well. Not a burner but has above-average speed and an ability to stop and start on the spot. Elevates nicely and positions himself well for the ball.

My few knocks on Jefferson are that he was mostly used in the slot, doesn't have convincing separation on deep routes and mostly won on positioning, and finally has times where he is overmanned in press.

Rankings continued on page 2 below.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Vasha Hunt

6 Jalen Reagor, TCU

Reagor is one of the most difficult guys for me to decide on. On one hand, I see a burner with a quick release, good acceleration, and big-time play potential everytime he touches the ball.

At other times, I see a ton of "Nelson Agholor", where i catch myself wondering more about how bad the CBs he faced are, rather than how good he is.

Reagor does not want to block, has some drops, an undeveloped route tree, and mostly was used as a gimmick player. Due to his size, he has to win on speed in the NFL. Fast forward to the combine, and there was no doubt about his athleticism, but a 4.47 forty times was not great.

Reagor can fit the Eagles offense, but I don't think he would become the major difference maker immediately. I have concerns, and if he ends up coming here, i would reserve my happiness until I see him against NFL CB's.

7 KJ Hamler, Penn State

Talking about speed, Ruggs and Hamler are usually mentioned in the same sentence.

Hamler is all about the speed and competitiveness. Another guy who can make plays out of nothing, can burn a secondary that lets him go for a split second, and has score-on-every-play ability.

Hamler is also tremendously raw. He has some flashes of good routes, not just on deep stuff, but also intermediately. Then, you'll see him get completely stoned by press CBs. Further, Hamler had some baaaaad drops in college, that would drive any Eagles fan completely crazy.

Hamler is a great project player, who can contribute situationally for the Eagles in year 1. Having him develop behind Desean Jackson almost seems like a fit made in heaven.

8 Laviska Shenault, Cal

I reserved my excitement about Shenault as a top prospect ever since I saw his first game. I was left feeling... meh?

He does have a smooth release, cuts well, and leans well in his routes. After the catch, he displays some YAC ability, decent elusiveness, and some "hey there" moves.

However, separation issues on deep routes, below average tracking and positioning for the football, not great at elevating for the ball, and generally lacking an "elite trait" had me worried. After running a dull 4.58 forty at the combine, Shenault landed here for me.

9 Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State

Aiyuk played ball for Arizona State for two years, and in 2019 really made a nice impression. Despite playing against lower-level competition, he managed to put some things on tape that I really liked.

He has good hands for one. Hands catches smoothly in traffic as well. After the catch, he makes some spectacular plays, and although i questioned how much was bad tackling, he was somewhat elusive.

Although Aiyuk appears fast, I think he looks slow in between cuts, which held me back from getting all worked up. He didn't get convincing separation in college, and a lot of that was a result of slower acceleration.

I'm not totally sold on Aiyuk, but I like the potential.

10 Donovan Peoples-Jones

I did not pay close attention to DPJ prior to the combine, and the 10th spot on this list was either between Tee Higgins and Peoples-Jones. What is a list without some controversy?

I don't like Tee Higgins. I think he is slow, has average route running at best, and basically won on routes in college on jump balls. Rough, but that's how it is. Saying he would run extremely fast in the forty, only to skip the combine because he was "tired" is not good enough for me.

DPJ, on the other hand, stole the show. Jumped 44.5 inches high, 139 inch broad, and ran a 4.48.

My conclusion from watching the tape: Shea Patterson is a bad QB.

DPJ is a good route runner with some separation ability based on decent speed and good physicality against the DB. He catches just about every ball thrown in his realistic catch frame and blocks well. He is yet another raw prospect but could be a sleeper in this draft.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Vasha Hunt