Raiders rookie Ruggs ready to show off speed
WR says he’s at least as fast as Chiefs’ Hill
Speedy Raiders rookie receiver Henry Ruggs III, wasting no time challenging the NFL’s elite, declared himself at least as fast as Chiefs star Tyreek Hill, football’s consensus fastest man.
Ruggs, who ran a blistering 4.27-second 40-yard dash before the draft, was disappointed to find out this week that “Madden NFL 21” video game ratings had him ranked a notch below Kansas City’s speedster. EA Sports’ game had Ruggs’ speed listed at 98, just one point below the maximum 99 rating.
In revealing the popular video game’s ratings to the top rookie receivers, former All-Pro receiver
Chad Johnson consoled Ruggs by telling him the lightning-quick Hill is the NFL’s only player who has 99 speed for Madden.
“That’s just until I get on the field to show it,” Ruggs told Johnson in the video.
Ruggs, whom the Raiders chose 12th overall in April, could find immediate solace in the knowledge he’s atop the rookie pool with a 76 overall rating, tying him with No. 1 overall pick, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow from LSU.
Of course, Ruggs’ game isn’t limited just to his speed. The ex-Alabama star has top-notch hands, boasting the lowest drop rate — just 3.6 percent — among the top 15 pass catchers chosen in the receiver-rich draft. The Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma had the next lowest drop rate at 4.9.
While speaking with Ruggs on the Zoom call, Johnson marveled at the new Raider’s pass-catching skills.
“If I had your hands, I’d cut mine off,” Johnson joked.
Former Arizona State receiver Brandon Aiyuk, a 49ers first-round pick, was the sixth-highest rated rookie receiver with a 72. Raiders’ third-round pick Bryan Edwards from South Carolina was the 11th-highest ranked firstyear receiver with a 70.
Meanwhile, onetime Stanford star running back Christian McCaffrey of Carolina was one of just a handful of players getting the top overall ranking of 99. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald also achieved the top-shelf rating.
George Kittle nearly joined those three at the top, but the 49ers star tight end had to settle for a 98 rating.
The complete Madden ratings have yet to be released. But the Madden 21 game’s release date is Aug. 25, less than three weeks before the scheduled start of the real NFL season.
“IfIhadyour hands, I’d cut mine off.” — Chad Johnson, former NFL wide receiver, speaking to Raiders rookie Henry Ruggs III.