It’s been nearly 25 years since a wide receiver was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.

Keyshawn Johnson had a solid NFL career since the New York Jets spent the top pick in the 1996 draft on the former USC star, but no other team has taken the pass-catcher plunge since then. Instead, they’ve opted for quarterbacks, those who protect the quarterbacks, and those who sack the quarterbacks.

Could the 2020 NFL draft class deliver a worthy candidate to break the streak? Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy has everything necessary to be that player, but many aren’t convinced.

I shared this thought on social media a few weeks back, and was met with a surprising amount of disagreement. I thought it was widely accepted that Jeudy was a legit top-five prospect, but I quickly learned Jeudy somehow has his share of doubters.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WCOwewQx9I&w=560&h=315]

Some doubted Jeudy’s speed, which makes little sense to anyone who’s ever seen him scorch SEC defenses on a weekly basis. Jeudy also reportedly ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at Alabama’s Junior Pro Day. I’m betting he gets that number down even lower by the time the NFL Scouting Combine rolls around.

Listed at 6-1, 192 pounds, there are no size concerns with Jeudy. His complete skill set checks every box pro teams want out of a true No. 1 receiver, and he still hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential. Even after putting up huge numbers in 2018 (68 receptions, 1,315 yards, 14 touchdowns, 19.3 yards per reception), I would expect Jeudy to have an even better campaign in 2019, especially if Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is able the stay healthy for the entire season.

All that said, often the No. 1 pick is more about the luck of the draw than who is actually the best overall prospect. Quarterbacks often dominate the top spot, but what happens if the team picking first in 2020 already has a young quarterback to build around?

If the team that holds next year’s No. 1 pick already has that franchise passer in place, what better way to help him out than give him an elite wide receiver?

Jeudy is that receiver, and after lighting it up again this season, he should be firmly planted in the conversation to be next year’s No. 1 pick.