The 2020 season for the Raiders is becoming more and more hindsight. Mainly because they didn’t make the playoffs, despite going 6-4 against the tough part of their schedule and then 2-4 the rest of the way.
In Gruden’s third year, with the last picks from the Khalil Mack trade on board, he needed to see those rookies step up for him. How did they do? Let’s see.
Round 1, Pick No. 12: WR Henry Ruggs III
Ruggs was the first wide receiver taken in this draft. Ahead of the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, and Justin Jefferson — all of whom significantly outperformed Ruggs and his 452 receiving yards. You can include 25th overall pick Brandon Aiyuk, 33rd overall pick Tee Higgins, 34th overall pick Michael Pittman Jr, 42nd overall pick Laviska Shenault, and 49th overall pick Chase Claypool. The only WR in the top 50 with fewer TD’s than Ruggs’s two was Pittman (1).
Ruggs’s issues seemed to be about getting open and gaining separation, which is incredibly important for him considering he was drafted to be the team’s deep threat receiver.
Grade: C-
Round 1, Pick No. 19: CB Damon Arnette
Arnette was named the starter out of camp. Three games into the season, he suffered a thumb injury and was placed on IR. He returned week ten, started three games, but was concussed early in the final two of those starts, causing him to miss two games. He also landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, returning to play the final two games.
His six full games were rough too, routinely getting beaten for big plays, including the one that cost them wins against the Chiefs in week 11 and the Dolphins in week 16. He had just two pass breakups and no interceptions on the season.
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