Raiders Rumors: Las Vegas 'Really Likes' CeeDee Lamb Ahead of 2020 NFL Draft
April 23, 2020
The Las Vegas Raiders might be in the market to add weapons for quarterback Derek Carr in the draft.
According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, the Raiders "really like" former Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb:
ig: josinaanderson @JosinaAndersonJust got off phone w/a #OAK source. 1 person reaffirms really like CeeDee Lamb, said last wk too, tho Lamb told me when he spoke to OAK was hard to read interest level: “Coach Gruden & Mayock were as serious as possible. I mean Gruden is a jokester, that’s my dog...but he [Cont.]
NBC Sports' Peter King reported earlier this week that Raiders GM Mike Mayock "loves" Lamb and "thinks he's the most complete receiver in the draft."
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller projected Lamb to go to the Raiders at No. 12 overall in his final mock draft Thursday:
"Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb can be a WR1 in the NFL as soon as he puts on his silver-and-black helmet. He's violent and powerful at the catch point and with the ball in his hands. Sure, he didn't see much defense in the Big 12, but his hands and scorer's mentality will make him an immediate starter at the X receiver position. The Raiders pick again at No. 19 overall and should be able to grab a cornerback who has starter potential."
Miller also listed Lamb as the 12th-best player overall and third-best receiver on his final big board.
Lamb recorded his best collegiate campaign as a junior in 2019. The 6'2", 198-pounder caught 62 passes for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns across 13 games for the 12-2 Sooners.
Lamb would do wonders to stretch the field for the Carr, who averaged just 4.9 completed air yards and 6.3 intended air yards last year, according to Next Gen Stats:
NFL.com's Lance Zeirlein evaluated Lamb as a "three-level playmaker," however, and compared him to former All-Pro Chad Johnson:
"Lamb uses speed and separation quickness to dominate competition in a scheme that frequently created open throws in space. His routes will need to become more efficient and crisp to beat man-to-man coverage against NFL size and speed, but his ball skills and explosiveness with the ball in his hand should allow teams to scheme him into explosive opportunities right away. Lamb has the potential to play any of the three receiver positions as a pro and should benefit greatly from the NFL's continued movement toward college-style passing attacks."
The Raiders' passing attack was led by tight end Darren Waller's 1,145 yards last season, while 28-year-old receiver Tyrell Williams led the team with six receiving touchdowns. The team added former Philadelphia Eagles wideout Nelson Agholor on a one-year deal in free agency but haven't otherwise addressed the position.