The wide receiver class for the 2020 NFL draft is packed with good players, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Fast and big. Quick and small. Route technicians on Day 3. High-upside slot guys. You get the picture. There's a reason Todd McShay had 12 wideouts in his two-round Mock Draft 4.0 earlier this week. This could be one of the best drafts for receivers ever.
So after doing a deep dive on the class, I wanted to find ideal receiver-team fits for the best prospects, picking prime landing spots for these rookies based on scheme and team needs.
Sixteen prospects jumped out on film with the traits to fit in today's NFL passing game as draft picks on Day 1 or Day 2. Let's run through the first three rounds of the draft, and I'll show you where each receiver should want to play:
Jerry Jeudy, New York Jets
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 193 pounds | School: Alabama
Where the Jets could get him: Round 1 (No. 11)
Why he fits: In the Jets' rhythm-based passing game, Jeudy is an ideal fit as a dynamic route runner with pro-ready traits. That's the separation speed, loose hips and setup ability to shake man-to-man coverage.
Plus, with 4.45 40 speed to challenge on third-level concepts, and the sudden, stop-start quickness to scoot past defenders after the catch, Jeudy could develop into a volume target for Sam Darnold, who lacks a true No. 1 option. That would allow the Jets to feature Jeudy with the field-stretching ability of free-agent signing Breshad Perriman and slot target Jamison Crowder. Adding Jeudy would give Darnold four solid options -- don't forget Le'Veon Bell's ability as a pass-catcher -- as he enters a critical Year 3.
CeeDee Lamb, Las Vegas Raiders
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 198 | School: Oklahoma
Where the Raiders could get him: Round 1 (No. 12 or 19)
Why he fits: The Raiders have two first-round picks to fill their hole at wide receiver, and Lamb would be a great get at either spot. With size and 4.50 40 speed, he can be featured as a boundary target on isolation matchups or as a big slot receiver inside of the numbers.
I like him in Jon Gruden's West Coast offense because of the underneath throws from Derek Carr, who completed 70.4% of his passes last season. Feed Lamb the ball on crossers and shallows. He's an explosive big-play threat when he gets into space, and the Raiders need a receiver with catch-and-run ability to complement the big frames of Tyrell Williams and Darren Waller, along with free-agent signing Nelson Agholor.
Henry Ruggs III, Denver Broncos
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 188 | School: Alabama
Where the Broncos could get him: Round 1 (No. 15)
Why he fits: Ruggs is a blazer, a big-play weapon with 4.28 40 speed to threaten all three levels of the field. He's more than just a vertical target -- he was detailed and precise as a route runner in Alabama's pro passing system. Ruggs creates instant juice after the catch on underneath targets, plus he has the ability to win on deep-in breakers or corner routes.
In Denver, Ruggs would work opposite Courtland Sutton -- the Broncos also have a seam stretcher with Noah Fant at tight end -- to cater to the arm talent of second-year quarterback Drew Lock. And Ruggs is going to catch some bombs in 2020.
See why former Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III was the first ever draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Justin Jefferson, Philadelphia Eagles
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 202 | School: LSU
Where the Eagles could get him: Round 1 (No. 21)
Why he fits: Production out of the slot is crucial in Doug Pederson's system. That's why I'm looking at Jefferson, who ran an NFL route tree as a slot receiver in Joe Brady's offense at LSU. Jefferson is the best true slot wideout in this class.
That's where Carson Wentz can target Jefferson on high-low reads, shallows and off the play-action/RPO concepts in the Eagles' playbook. Not only would Jefferson fill a major need at receiver in Philly, but he also would give Pederson's offense more flexibility inside with pass-catching tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert on schemed throws for Wentz.
Tee Higgins, Minnesota Vikings
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 216 | School: Clemson
Where the Vikings could get him: Round 1 (No. 22 or 25)
Why he fits: Have you seen the Vikings' receiver depth chart after Adam Thielen? There's not much there after they traded away Stefon Diggs. Veteran Tajae Sharpe will help, but they need to find another solid target for Kirk Cousins, who thrives in a play-action-heavy system.
By landing Higgins, the Vikings can use his big frame and catch radius on deep in-breakers and verticals, while creating open windows off play-action to target vacated zones. Adding a wide receiver with the ball-tracking skills, natural body control and finishing ability of Higgins -- who had 25 touchdown catches over the past two seasons -- would create one-on-one throws for Cousins in scoring situations.
Denzel Mims, Green Bay Packers
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 207 | School: Baylor
Where the Packers could get him: Round 1 (No. 30)
Why he fits: Mims is a scheme-specific prospect who fits in the Packers' offense given his frame, 4.38 40 speed and physical style. In Green Bay, he could run underneath slants, get loose on deep overs off play-action and create leverage against man-to-man coverage on vertical routes. He could also get on the move on receiver screens and jet sweeps.
Mims is far from a finished product, but he has high-end athleticism and flashes route-running traits, which would make him a prime target on deep in-breakers from Aaron Rodgers. As the No. 2 option in the Packers' receiving game behind Davante Adams, Mims would fill a need for more speed and 20-plus-yard plays in Green Bay.
Michael Pittman Jr., San Francisco 49ers
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 223 | School: USC
Where the 49ers could get him: Round 1 (No. 31)
Why he fits: The 49ers let Emmanuel Sanders walk in free agency and could target a replacement with the 13th overall pick, which was acquired last month in a trade with the Colts. But I'm looking at Pittman late on Day 1 as a physical route runner with the frame to work the middle of the field and the ball skills to win one-on-ones as a vertical target.
In Kyle Shanahan's scheme, Pittman could produce quickly for an offense that wants the ball thrown between the numbers with Jimmy Garoppolo. Think of the in-cuts with play-action and the deep curls off max-protection, along with run-pass options and leveled reads for Garoppolo. That's where Pittman can use his frame to body up defensive backs and produce after the catch. He's an ascending prospect with the physical traits to fit in Shanahan's heavily schemed passing game.
Chase Claypool, Indianapolis Colts
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 238 | School: Notre Dame
Where the Colts could get him: Round 2 (No. 34 or 44)
Why he fits: Claypool is rising after he ran a 4.42 40 at 238 pounds at the combine. And with that freakish speed and big frame to go up and get the ball, he'd fit in Indianapolis with Philip Rivers throwing to him in Frank Reich's system. The Colts can scheme throws underneath to get Claypool open on crossers and shallows, and Rivers could target him outside on 50-50 throws with vertical shots or play the matchups in the red zone.
Claypool has rare size and speed, and he has some position flexibility in the game plan to complement veteran speedster T.Y. Hilton and 2019 second-round pick Parris Campbell, whose rookie season was cut short due to injury.
Brandon Aiyuk, Chicago Bears
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205 | School: Arizona State
Where the Bears could get him: Round 2 (No. 43 or 50)
Why he fits: Whether it's Nick Foles or Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback, the Bears need a receiver with run-after-the-catch ability in Matt Nagy's offense. And you see that all over the tape with Aiyuk. He can accelerate with ease to skate past defensive backs in the open field, and his buildup speed as a route runner creates separation to the ball. He has strong hands at the point of attack.
The Bears have a proven No. 1 receiver with Allen Robinson, and third-year wideout Anthony Miller has upside as a slot man. Adding Aiyuk to the mix would give the Bears' quarterbacks a target who can turn quick-game throws into first downs, break free out of 3x1 sets and use his vision to tack on yards in the open field.
Jalen Reagor, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 206 | School: TCU
Where the Bucs could get him: Round 2 (No. 45)
Why he fits: With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin leading the way, the Bucs already have one of the best 1-2 receiving punches in the league. But with the expectation that Bruce Arians will adapt his system to fit the game of Tom Brady, let's look at Reagor as a slot playmaker.
Reagor is dynamic with the ball in his hands, and he has the athletic traits to burst out of his cuts. He could develop as an inside target for Brady on shallows, option routes and slants. If Tampa Bay wants to win now with its 43-year-old quarterback, it needs to put the best talent around him, even if that means adding to a stacked receiver room. And there will be enough targets to go around for everyone, including tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.
Max Duggan throws deep to Jalen Reagor for a big TCU touchdown.
KJ Hamler, Miami Dolphins
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 178 | School: Penn State
Where the Dolphins could get him: Round 2 (No. 39 or 56)
Why he fits: Hamler didn't run at the combine, but we don't need an official 40-yard dash time to know that he is one of the fastest prospects in this draft. Here, the Dolphins get game-breaking speed in the slot to pair with the aggressive throwing style of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. Run the slot fades, deep overs and scheme Hamler open out of stack and bunch looks to get him away from press coverage.
He would give the Dolphins some big-play juice inside to pair with DeVante Parker, who had a breakout 2019 season. Miami needs to bolster its wide receiver position with the expectation that the team drafts a quarterback with one of its three first-round picks.
Laviska Shenault Jr., Kansas City Chiefs
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 227 | School: Colorado
Where the Chiefs could get him: Round 2 (No. 63)
Why he fits: Coming off a February surgery to repair a core muscle injury, Shenault could slide on Day 2. But that would create an opportunity for the Chiefs to land an extremely versatile player to fit Andy Reid's system. Shenault has explosive athleticism, and he got touches from multiple alignments at Colorado, including when he lined up as a Wildcat quarterback. We know Reid likes to get his weapons on the move -- just look at how he got rookie Mecole Hardman involved in 2019.
Shenault's versatility would allow Reid to add another weapon on jet sweeps, screens and targets out of the backfield, while also use his unique features in the route tree. Adding yet another playmaker for Patrick Mahomes should scare defensive coordinators.
Bryan Edwards, Washington Redskins
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 212 | School: South Carolina
Where the Redskins could get him: Round 3 (No. 66)
Why he fits: The Redskins don't have a second-round pick, so they'll have to wait until the top of the third round to draft a wide receiver to fill a major hole opposite Terry McLaurin. And they need to add more talent for second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who flashed as a rookie but was inconsistent overall.
Edwards has the size and quickness to separate on underneath routes for Haskins. He also has the physical tools to make plays on tight-window throws. He could become a play-action target for Haskins on posts, deep digs and seams. Washington added Cody Latimer in free agency, but it needs much more depth and talent here to speed up the development of Haskins.
Van Jefferson, Dallas Cowboys
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200 | School: Florida
Where the Cowboys could get him: Round 3 (No. 82)
Why he fits: With Randall Cobb leaving in free agency, the Cowboys need a versatile replacement who can play alongside Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Jefferson, one of the best pure route runners in this class, has the skill set to set up defenders and the short-area speed to separate.
While he lacks explosive traits on film, he projects as a slot target for the Cowboys, with the ability to beat coverage inside and produce off play-action and boot with Dak Prescott. Don't sleep on Jefferson, who has a chance to make an instant impact because of his advanced route running.
Tyler Johnson, Detroit Lions
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 206 | School: Minnesota
Where the Lions could get him: Round 3 (No. 85)
Why he fits: The Lions added Geronimo Allison on a one-year deal in free agency, but with Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones entering the final years of their contracts and 34-year-old Danny Amendola manning the slot, they could target Johnson as a late Day 2 pick. Johnson was ultra-productive at Minnesota, and his ball skills jump on the tape.
While he lacks some of the high-end traits to consistently separate, he can make plays on contested catches and work the middle of the field on schemed concepts that cater to his physical style after the catch. He fits here as a big slot target for Matthew Stafford, who was playing great football last season before being shut down with a back injury.
Quintez Cephus, Pittsburgh Steelers
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 202 | School: Wisconsin
Where the Steelers could get him: Round 3 (No. 102)
Why he fits: Cephus isn't going to consistently rack up huge gains, and he doesn't have elite tools. But when I studied his game on tape, I saw a nuanced route runner who wins with leverage, body positioning and strength.
In Pittsburgh, Cephus would have the ability to align inside or outside, and the Steelers could use pre-snap movement to give him matchup advantages. The key here is to create possession throws for Ben Roethlisberger in the route tree with Cephus.