Scouting the 2020 NFL Draft: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

By Bryan Perez | May 7, 2019

FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 20: CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The 2020 NFL draft is already being lauded as the year of the wide receiver, headlined by Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy. But he isn’t the only pass-catcher who will garner first-round consideration, and in our latest installment of ‘Scouting the 2020 NFL draft,’ we profile Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb.

The Oklahoma Sooners have been a showcase of passing offense the last two seasons after producing back-to-back No. 1 overall picks in Baker Mayfield (’18, Browns) and Kyler Murray (’19, Cardinals). Both quarterbacks had the benefit of throwing to explosive playmakers at wide receiver, one of which will be back for his junior season this fall: CeeDee Lamb.

Lamb enters 2019 with an already decorated resume of production for the Sooners. He set the team’s freshman record for receiving yards in a season (807) and tied the freshman record for most touchdown receptions (7). Last season, Lamb eclipsed 1,100 yards despite playing opposite Marquise Brown, this year’s first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens.

Lamb ended 2018 with 65 catches for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The former four-star prospect has lived up to his recruiting hype and will look to build upon a productive first two seasons in what should be his last year on campus before turning pro.

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Physically, Lamb is unofficially listed at 6-2 and 189 pounds. He’s a skinny guy, but his game doesn’t necessarily rely on size to be successful. Sure, it would be great if he adds a few pounds and gets into the mid-190’s, but it won’t change his overall evaluation too much.

Athletically, Lamb is an extremely coordinated prospect who has fluid movement skills and an uncanny ability to catch the ball away from his frame even when running in the opposite direction. He’s a hands-catcher and while he doesn’t have elite top-end speed, he’s fast enough to challenge defensive backs on the third level. That said, he’ll be more of a slot receiver in the NFL who wins on intermediate and quick breaking routes.

Lamb is a methodical route-runner who likes to lull defensive backs into biting on his fakes. He makes hard cuts into his breaks and can gain just enough separation to give his quarterback a decent window to throw to.

The best part of Lamb’s game right now is his ability to make contested catches. Even though he isn’t a big dude, he can jump and out-muscle defensive backs for the football. His hand-eye coordination serves him well in this aspect of his game; he makes the difficult catches look routine.

Lamb is a willing blocker in the run game, too. He isn’t going to decleat defenders anytime soon, but he’ll certainly get in the way and impede their path to the ball.

Overall, Lamb is a safe receiver prospect who looks the part of second or third option in an offense at this point in his development. He doesn’t have the kind of dynamic skill set to project as a No. 1 on the next level and as a result, will probably find himself still on the board on Day 2. That said, if his speed improves this year, he can be a big-time riser as the season progresses.

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