2020 NFL Draft Prospect – CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma

Our NFL rookie profile series continues with this analysis of 2020 NFL Draft Prospect CeeDee Lamb, WR from Oklahoma. We will continue to provide you with these in-depth rookie profiles and a ton of other fantasy football rookie analysis right up through the NFL Draft. Stay tuned, and stay ahead of your league!

The University of Oklahoma has had numerous collegiate star wide receivers over the years including Mark Clayton, Ryan Broyles, Kenny Stills, Dede Westbrook, Sterling Shepard, and most recently Marquise Brown. But CeeDee Lamb might be the best one to enter the NFL in years.

Let’s dive into his profile.

The Stats

Statistics from sports-reference.com.

As a freshman, Lamb stepped on the field and produced immediately on an offense that featured Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield, Rodney Anderson, Mark Andrews, and Marquise Brown. He finished third on the team in receiving yards and receptions, and tied for second in receiving touchdowns. He also led the team in punt return with 13.

Lamb followed up a tremendous freshman campaign with an explosive breakout sophomore season. This time, he had to do it with a new quarterback Kyler Murray; but much like the 2017 season he too would go on to win the Heisman. Sharing the field with Brown, Lamb didn’t take a back seat and at times looked like the more complete receiver of the two. He was second in receptions and yards, but led the team in receiving touchdowns. He once again led the team with 17 punt returns for 218 yards averaging 12.8 yards per return.

Finally as a junior, Lamb had the wide receiver room to himself and he did not let off the gas. He finished the season with three fewer receptions, but he increased his yardage total to over 1,300, his yard per reception shot up to a staggering 21.4 yards, and he added 14 touchdowns. He was a Biletnikoff Award finalist as the nation’s top receiver and was named AP First-Team All-American.

The Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF30CbAkJLg

On more than one occasion, I’ve stated that Lamb is the fastest “not that fast” guy in the nation. When you watch him play he doesn’t look fast yet he’s consistently doing things like this below.

I promise you he’s not THAT fast CeeDee for a 73-yard TD vs Texas Tech pic.twitter.com/o1GJTLm9mX

— Ray G (@RayGQue) March 4, 2020

CeeDee is an absolute YAC monster. Time and time again, you see him making plays after the catch. His balance and ability to absorb and power through contact post catch is unrivaled in this 2020 class.

27-Yard TD Grown Man Strength vs. Texas pic.twitter.com/GtCAb7AKjQ

— Ray G (@RayGQue) March 4, 2020

Lamb is a playmaker. His feel for the game, defenders and avenues for space are what makes his pro prospectus so bright.

I still have no words 51-yard TD vs Texas pic.twitter.com/4BsvIcXoz6

— Ray G (@RayGQue) March 4, 2020

He is also a very willing and capable blocker. This bodes well for whatever running back is carrying the ball to Lamb’s side of the field.

CeeDee Lamb has a lot of exciting plays. But the plays he consistently makes in the blocking game is what makes him such a dynamic wide receiver. #sooners #oklahoma pic.twitter.com/HrBzA7qPV1

— Zack Patraw (@ZackPatraw) June 8, 2019

The Measurables

There is nothing to gush over regarding Lamb’s profile from the NFL Scouting Combine. His 40-yard dash time was better than some expected and that’s about where the positives end. He tested about like most expected – an average athlete. Where he shined was the on-field work. Lamb looked like the best receiver in the gauntlet drill, and made one of his patented highlight-reel grabs in the fade drill.

Dynasty Value

Lamb currently has a startup ADP of 36 overall and a rookie ADP of three; as the number one ranked wideout. Lamb is most assuredly going to be a high NFL draft pick and selected inside the top ten of all rookie drafts.

His dynasty value is more fun to talk about though as he’s being drafted after Cooper Kupp, DK Metcalf, and Kenny Golladay but before Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and Allen Robinson. Most can debate when he lands amongst all these talented wideouts but the fact remains comfortably inside the top 50 overall players and a mid-ranged WR2 before landing spot and draft capital.

Conclusion

While he’s far from a generational talent, Lamb is one of the better-looking receiver prospects to come out of college in the past couple of years. His ability to play and thrive in all three quadrants of the field (short, intermediary, and deep) is an invaluable skill-set that should yield a large snap share early in his career. His physicality and toughness show up as a blocker and as a runner. He also adds the punt return element to a team if asked to do so. Don’t over think this one: draft Lamb with confidence in any and all formats.