NFL Draft scouting profile: Explosive Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb

The Arizona Cardinals struck gold this offseason in acquiring All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Houston Texans.

But while the team plugged in another WR, there’s still the potential Arizona could add to quarterback Kyler Murray’s arsenal of weapons on offense.

Oklahoma wideout CeeDee Lamb is viewed as one of the top receiving threats in the 2020 NFL Draft. Wide receivers may be aplenty in this year’s draft, but given Lamb’s ability and connection with Murray, Lamb figures to be an intriguing option for the Cardinals at No. 8 overall.

Here’s a look at what Lamb brings to the table before the names begin getting called on draft night.

Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb, 6-foot-2, 198 pounds

The WR out of OU turned in an impressive junior season in 2019, recording 62 catches for 1,327 yards and 14 scores in 13 games played.

In 2018, Lamb accounted for 1,158 yards and 11 scores of Murray’s 4,361-yard and 42-touchdown effort, showing off their rapport with one another.

“From my text stream you can tell Kyler likes him,” Cardinals GM Steve Keim told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station back in February. “You know, you always would also lean toward guys that you know.”

Not only can Lamb make the tough catches, he extends the play more times than not.

Last season, Lamb added 683 yards after the catch, forcing the second-most missed tackles in the process (26). His yards after contact ranked third in FBS with 376, earning praise from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

At the 2020 NFL Combine, Lamb showed off his skills, but some analysts downgraded the wide receiver for his 40-yard dash time of 4.51.

His time ranked under both Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy (4.45), another top pass-catching option in the draft, and teammate Henry Ruggs III (4.27).

The 40 time, however, isn’t necessarily a worry for Keim, who sees the other aspects of Lamb’s game.

“They’re different games,” Keim said when talking about both Lamb and Jeudy. “You watch CeeDee Lamb, and there are some things that come to mind when I watch him that remind me a little bit of [Cardinals receiver] DeAndre Hopkins.

“You talk about a guy that maybe isn’t the fastest vertically but is gritty, tough, runs great routes.”

Even with the 40-yard dash time, Lamb impressed those watching, even earning a comparison to Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams.

Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has cemented himself as the top wide receiver by the Next Gen Stats Overall Draft Score (96) after a strong #NFLCombine performance.

Lamb’s athleticism, production and size profile resembles former Fresno State star WR Davante Adams. pic.twitter.com/jPMtfWGByj

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) February 28, 2020

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