12. Las Vegas Raiders
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama | Highlights
Why they picked him: Speed. Pure, unadulterated speed. Because with all three of the consensus top three wideouts still on the board, the Raiders went with the fastest player at the scouting combine (a nod to the late team owner Al Davis, perhaps?) as Ruggs ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash. Coach Jon Gruden realizes that to battle the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, he needs a similar team, a fast one. And in Ruggs, he has a complement to Kansas City's Tyreek Hill. He hopes.
Biggest question: Ruggs might not be as a polished a pass-catcher as either former Alabama teammate Jerry Jeudy or Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb, so there will be a learning curve, so to speak. And at 6 feet, 195 pounds, he will have to be more physical coming off press coverage at the line. Only five of 30 receivers taken in the first round over the previous 10 drafts had 1,000-yard receiving seasons as a rookie. Ruggs had a career-high 746 yards receiving last season, averaging 18.7 yards per catch. -- Paul Gutierrez
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.espn.com/nfl/draft2020/story/_/id/29011670/2020-nfl-draft-live-updates-pros-cons-every-first-round-pick%3fplatform=amp19. Las Vegas Raiders
Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State | Highlights
Why they picked him: Need. Simply need. Because after the Eli Apple free-agent deal fell apart, the Raiders needed somebody to pair with last year's second-rounder, Trayvon Mullen. And unable to trade back, and afraid Arnette would be gone by the time they picked again at No. 80, the Raiders made the pick.
Biggest question: General manager Mike Mayock said the biggest mistake teams make is "reaching for need." In selecting a cornerback with a third-round grade, this reeks of exactly that. Arnette is physical and had five interceptions in four seasons at Ohio State. -- Paul Gutierrez
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