Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III
Height / Weight: 5'11" / 188 lbs
2019 stats: 12 games, 40 receptions, 746 yards, 18.7 yards per reception, seven touchdowns
2020 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 - #11
Giants current depth at WR: Sterling Shepard, Golden Tate, Darius Slayton, Cody Core, Da'Mari Scott, Alex Bachman, David Sills V, Reggie White Jr.
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: Ruggs has an unbelievable blend of speed and toughness. He lines up outside and in the slot. He ran a lot of slants and take-off routes in Alabama's offense -- and he was special on both. Ruggs boasts world-class speed -- he truly explodes off the line and after the catch. He needs to continue to refine his releases against press (he gives up his chest too often), but not many defenses will want to take that chance against his speed. His hands are good, not great, and he does allow too many balls into his chest. After the catch, he runs away from most defenders while occasionally running through them. He is outstanding on jet sweeps and also has kick-return value. Overall, Ruggs has Tyreek Hill-type ability. He will be a matchup nightmare every week.
View photos of Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III.
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III in an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. No. 1 Alabama has one of the SEC's most talented collection of receivers, and the Crimson Tide is spreading it around among Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) caries the ball against Auburn during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, left, drags Auburn defensive back Smoke Monday into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) react after Ruggs' 33-yard catch and run touchdown against Texas A&M during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) runs down the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Clemson defensive back K'Von Wallace (12) tackles Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) in the first half of the Sugar Bowl semi-final playoff game for the NCAA college football national championship, in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) battles Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (20) for position during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) grabs a pass in front of LSU defensive back Grant Delpit (7) in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receivers Henry Ruggs III (11) and DeVonta Smith (6) celebrate Smith's touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) runs in a touchdown on a pass reception against Southern Miss during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) catches a pass in the end zone for touchdown as Oklahoma cornerback Tre Brown (6) defends, during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) catches a pass and carries it in for a touchdown against Louisiana-Lafayette during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) breaks the would be tackle of Arkansas State defensive back B.J. Edmonds (3) and runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) catches a pass and scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) runs on for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas State, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III scores a touchdown during the second half an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) avoids a tackle and stays in bounds for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama won 45-23. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) catches a pass during warm ups before the start of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) outruns Southern Miss defensive back Shannon Showers (15) for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) salutes the fans against LSU during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. LSU won 46-41. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III in an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Texas A&M during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) catches a pass and carries it in for a touchdown against Louisiana-Lafayette during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) breaks free for a long touchdown reception on the first play from scrimmage against New Mexico State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III reacts during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III speaks to the media during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein: Ruggs' speed alone helps both the running and passing games because it forces safeties into more passive positioning. He can work all three levels and his ability to turn slants and crossing routes into big gainers could make him the favorite gift under the tree for a quarterback and offense in need of an explosive weapon. He has quick, sure hands to handle off-target throws, but learning to release, separate and catch against physical NFL cornerbacks could require an adjustment period. He won't rack up the targets, but has explosive speed and talent to imprint on games with regularity.
ESPN's Mel Kiper: As the Crimson Tide's No. 2 receiver, Ruggs' game is all about speed, though he improved as a route runner in 2018, when he had 46 catches for 741 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 18.6 yards per catch last season, and he had seven touchdowns, though he didn't get much target volume in a stacked Bama offense. Check out this route on a 74-yard TD catch on which he almost outruns the throw. Ruggs is the early favorite to be the fastest prospect in the 2020 class, and he is perfect for today's NFL.
The 2020 Draft Profile series:
Giants App
Download the Giants' official app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
