The deep wide receiver class took advantage of its chance to show off Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Pundits are predicting more than 20 wide receivers could be selected during the first four rounds, giving teams many options. With the Ravens in the market to add a playmaker, here are three wideouts who helped themselves with their performances during drills.
Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
6-foot-4, 238 pounds
The Ravens took a wide receiver from Notre Dame last year, selecting Miles Boykin in the third round. Will Claypool be the next? He helped himself by running a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash, and he was also sure-handed in the pass-catching drills.
Claypool isn't projected in most mock drafts as a Day 1 pick, so it seems unlikely he would be a target for Baltimore in the first round at No. 28. However, Claypool is in the mix to be a Day 2 or Day 3 selection. Claypool would be a big target for Lamar Jackson, with the potential to be particularly effective as a blocker and in the red zone. He was also a strong special teams player in college, another area where he could make an immediate impact with the Ravens.
"I think after this week people will just understand that I have a special combination of size and speed," Claypool said. "I think I can be one of those rare guys who can line up at all positions on the field and do well, especially because I did that in my college career. The more I come out to these events that are televised and have scouts, the more people will realize that maybe I shouldn't have been as slept on as I am."
Prior to his strong workout, Claypool said he drew inspiration from Boykin's strong performance at the Combine last year.
"His size and speed were really cool to watch here at the Combine," Claypool said. "I'm going to try to match that. He's a freak athlete and I'm going to try to do the same thing."
*Justin Jefferson, LSU *6-foot-3, 192 pounds
Blazing speed is not Jefferson's forte, but by running faster than many people expected (4.43) in the 40, Jefferson helped his draft stock. Many are projecting him to be a first-round pick, perhaps in the 25-30 range, where the Ravens are sitting.
Jefferson believes he can be effective in the NFL both outside and in the slot.
"I'm very versatile," Jefferson said. "I can do slot and outside. Just being able to play different positions on the field. This class is definitely big and very talented. A lot of us are big playmakers, a lot of us are pretty fast."
*Henry Ruggs, Alabama *5-foot-11, 188 pounds
The Ravens have a long history of drafting Alabama players and Ruggs opened eyes with one of the fastest times in combine history (4.27). It was just a hair slower than what wide receiver John Ross of the Cincinnati Bengals ran in 2017 (4.22). Ruggs didn't participate in any drills other than the 40-yard dash and was seen icing one of his legs afterward. However, he had already made a point with his blazing speed.
Ruggs strengthened his case to be a first-round pick, and he could be gone before the Ravens pick at No, 28. But imagine Ruggs' speed in the Ravens offense alongside wide receiver Marquise Brown, who is one of the NFL's fastest players. That combination could be double trouble for Baltimore opponents, giving Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman another big play weapon to deploy.
"It puts fear into the D-coordinator and especially the defensive backs, because they never know what to expect from a speed guy," Ruggs said. "They always think he's going to run by them. I'm not the biggest guy. I'm fast I'm quick and I know I can make plays with the ball in my hands."
