The 2019 season is over and a new era of Raiders football is upon us. Oakland was incredible and deserved better, but regardless of any emotions you may have on that, Allegiant Stadium (AKA the “Death Star”) in Las Vegas is nearing completion and should be rocking for the silver and black come August 2020.

So, with that said, let’s talk about the draft – which will also be held in Las Vegas…

Since Jon Gruden came back to the Raiders in early 2018, he’s made a plethora of moves at the wide receiver position. From the sign, then cut, then re-sign Martavis Bryant experiment, to trading Amari Cooper to Dallas, to acquiring Antonio Brown from Pittsburgh, and SO MUCH MORE in between all of that, it’s led us to Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, and a lot of unknowns beyond that.

Safe to say ole Chucky still needs to get this position right.

When it comes to changing the landscape of the WR position, I think they need to fix it “Sooner” rather than later. Gruden and GM Mike Mayock should look no further than my top wide receiver of the 2020 class:

CeeDee Lamb.

Just last weekend, Lamb announced he would forgo his senior season and declare for April’s NFL Draft.

Deuce Out



Thank you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Oi5i1Orejq — CeeDee Lamb (@_CeeDeeThree) December 29, 2019

Lamb appeared in 40 games for the University of Oklahoma, totaling 173 receptions for 3,292 yards, adding 33 total touchdowns. His sophomore season was elite, but he doubled down and got even better during his junior campaign: 13 games, 62 catches, 1,327 receiving yards (21.4 average), 14 receiving touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown.

Wild thing is he’s only 20 years old. He’ll turn 21 on April 8th, about seventeen days before the draft. For example, former Alabama WR Calvin Ridley was drafted at the age of 23 and turned 24 at the end of his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons.

Since the chicken plan didn’t work out, maybe Gruden will go with Lamb next year? #Raiders pic.twitter.com/NxrujKaRMs — Kris Wysong (@KrisWysong) October 10, 2019

Beyond the numbers, the best way I can describe CeeDee is “game changer”. He’s not a top flight burner, he won’t run a 4.3 40-yard dash, but he’s a natural football player and has more than enough in-game speed.

In 50/50 situations, he’s 6’2″ but plays like he’s 6’4″. His ball skills are some of the best I’ve seen. He can locate the ball from awkward positions, jump up in traffic, swing his body into the right position and aggressively high-point the football.

He’s also strong, crafty, and shifty. He uses that, along with an intelligent and methodical use of sudden movements to gain separation from the physicality of man-to-man coverage.

My favorite part of Lamb’s game is his “showtime” ability after the catch. Lamb makes defenders miss like he’s playing tag in the backyard. I think that fits the mold for the type of offense that Gruden seems to incorporate and prefer. When air yards are low in the short passing game, YAC becomes crucial (Raiders finished 5th in YAC for receivers this season). Lamb would immediately be their best player in that department.

CeeDee Lamb is a bad, bad man. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/WEj6qaOP61 — Dean Straka (@DWStraka49) October 12, 2019

Another thing that Gruden prefers (which adds to the “natural football player” mold that I mentioned earlier): Lamb can BLOCK. He is not afraid to engage downfield on running downs or passing plays where the ball goes to another receiver. That’s the type of team-first attitude that has Gruden and Mayock written all over it.

#GreedyForCeeDee

While I admit that comps can be pointless, I’m still going to go ahead and say it – I see some DeAndre Hopkins and maybe a “slim” Julio Jones (shout out to @ChrisReed_NFL) when I watch his film. Strong words? Yes. But I really think this dude is going to be special at the next level.

Many will say, “no way CeeDee makes it to the 12th pick”. Maybe. Maybe not. I think there’s a solid chance he’s there for the taking when the Raiders are on the clock at number 12 (assuming they stay there). If they take him, I think he’ll check that “WR1” box for the Las Vegas Raiders for the next 4-5 years and beyond.