Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders' Derek Carr: Henry Ruggs has 'been impressive' entering 2021 season

The Las Vegas Raiders received limited production from their top pick in the 2020 draft last season. However, the team expects him to be much better in 2021.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr told Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he has high hopes for Henry Ruggs' second season in the NFL. 

"Man, he's been impressive," Carr said. "The way he's running routes. He's being violent in his cuts. I think something clicked in his head. Just like with everybody, you play a season in the NFL, you go back and watch the tape and you're like, 'Wow, I know what it takes now.' And you either do it or you don't. And he's showing already that he said, 'Nah, I'm going to do it.' And it's been so impressive.

"Even what he did last year, with no OTAs, was impressive. Maybe he didn't have a breakout season, a 1,000-yard season or anything like that. But things he did for us in certain moments, it was impressive. So now he knows the offense, he knows the quarterback, he knows who's around him, all those things. He's working with me after practice. I'm very excited for Henry. Now he's gotta go do it."

Ruggs finished the 2020 campaign with just 26 catches for 452 yards and two touchdowns. He said earlier this offseason that he was disappointed with his rookie campaign and vowed to be better in his sophomore season.

If Ruggs has come as far as Carr says he has, the 22-year-old should be one of his top targets this season behind tight end Darren Waller. 

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