2020 has been a year for the history books. There has been a global pandemic, riots over police brutality and the unfair treatment of Black people, and a monumental American presidential election. But another reason this year should be in the history books is all of the events that have happened in the sporting world. One noteworthy event was the first virtual NFL Draft. This draft gave us the 2020 rookie receiving class. When thinking about top tier WR draft classes the 1996, 2010, and 2014 classes are the ones that come to mind first but, the 2020 class has the chance to be the best of all time. But out of all the rookie receivers, who is the best? Here are the top five rookie wideouts in order.
5) Round 1 Pick 16: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
In college Jeudy was viewed as a better receiver than his Alabama teammate Henry Ruggs III (who was the first receiver drafted) and had the accolades to back that up: a consensus All-American, 2x First-Team All-SEC, Biletnikoff Award winner, which is given to the best collegiate receiver. The Broncos were a solid fit for him as they already had a talented number one receiver in Courtland Sutton, allowing Jeudy to slide into a number two receiver role. However, a season ending injury to Sutton has thrust Jeudy into the spotlight as the new lead dog among Broncos recivers. Thankfully the lights haven't been too bright for Jeudy as he has 34 catches for 552 yards and two touchdowns on the season. His production had a slight dip towards the middle of the season (which can be chalked up to inconsistencies and injuries from the QB position), but in recent weeks he has bounced back in recent weeks with 193 yards over his last two games.
4) Round 2 Pick 33: Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
When the 2019 College Football season began, Higgins was viewed as one of the top three receiver prospects, but as the season went on questions about his speed and physicality against bigger corners, as well as his decision to not test at the combine, took his stock down. The Bengals picked him up at the top of the second round in hopes of him developing a rapport with the #1 rookie quarterback Joe Burrow. This has proven to be the right decision. Despite not being targeted at all in Week 1, Higgins has 40 catches for 603 yards and four touchdowns on the season. In the past four weeks he has really taken off, averaging 97 yards per game and two TDs; he even has two rushing touchdowns in that span as well. He seems to be following in the footsteps of another legendary receiver that wore 85 for the Bengals.
3) Round 1 Pick 17: CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Lamb was another receiver that was seen by many as the best in the draft. During his time at Oklahoma he played for two Heisman trophy winning quarterbacks and was a big reason they took the award home. He led a decorated collegiate career which saw him be Second-team All-Big 12 in 2018 and First-team All-Big 12 and a consensus All-American the following year. Lamb being selected by the Cowboys was an example of a true luxury pick, as they didn't really need him with two amazing starting wide receivers in Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Due to unforeseen circumstances the Cowboys haven’t had the season they originally thought they would, but Lamb has been playing very well with 44 catches for 595 yards and three touchdowns on the season. He’s been able to stake his claim as the number one receiver in that offense despite playing with FOUR (!!!) different quarterbacks. Him being able to put up these numbers is a testament to his potential in and of itself.
2) Round 2 Pick 49: Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite wowing scouts by running a 4.42 40-yard dash and having a 40-inch vertical while weighing close to 230 lbs., expectations for Claypool were not that high coming out of the draft. At Notre Dame he was primarily a redzone threat and wasn’t known for his ability to get separation or his change of direction. When he was drafted, receiver wasn’t a big need for the Steelers, as they already had JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and James Washington on their roster. Despite this he has blown past all expectations and become a touchdown machine. So far, he has 35 catches for 500 yards and seven touchdowns. The Steelers have used him in every way they can think of from catching seam routes and fades to wide receiver screens and jet sweeps. On the season he has nine total touchdowns in NINE total games. His production has been completely unexpected but welcomed by the Steelers as they look to continue their undefeated season.
1) Round 1 Pick 22: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Even though he was a national champion and led the country with 111 receptions, Jefferson seemingly went under the radar during the draft process. Perhaps it was because he was seen as a beneficiary of a superior offense, playing with Joe Burrow, who had the best statistical season ever for a quarterback and Ja’Marr Chase was the Biletnikoff Award winner and led the country in receiving yards and touchdowns. He was viewed primarily as a slot receiver and there were questions about his release off the line of scrimmage and deep speed. He was drafted by the Vikings to replace star wideout Stefon Diggs, whom they traded to the Bills, but many thought doing that would be impossible because Diggs was a beast . So far Jefferson has proved doubters wrong and surpassed all expectations. On the season he has 42 receptions, 762 yards and three touchdowns. After a slow first two weeks of the season, he exploded for 175 yards and a touchdown against the Titans. Since then he has kept up the production and defenses have been unable to stop him; it seems that the only thing that can slow him down is playcalling and quarterback play.