The NFL Draft just wrapped up this weekend and there was a lot of excitement for the Packers to add more offensive weapons. While most fans wanted the team to add star wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba to the roster with the 13th pick in the draft, the Packers stuck to what they do best with selecting receivers and instead drafted a wide receiver in the second round with Jayden Reed out of Michigan State.
A new face in the slot
Reed brings a whole lot of explosiveness and versatility to the receiver room in Green Bay which should complement Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs fantastically. Reed does a lot of things well when diving into his tape and scouting report. Playing in the slot role on the offense will be his best bet for personal and team success.
Scouting Report
While diving more into Reed, the former Spartan loves the deep ball and is known to track the ball at a very high level which can help diversify the passing game in Green Bay. Reed also has not only experience of being a special teams returner, but he also has been very productive as one as well. It is always important to have depth in special teams, even with All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon returning, because of our past struggles and potential of injury. Reed also flashes a lot of potential to become a complete receiver with his ability to win contested catches and his route running especially coming off inside-breaking routes Lastly, Reed stats do him even more justice. In his “44-game collegiate career (31 at Michigan State, 13 at Western Michigan), Reed caught 203 passes for 2,866 yards and 26 touchdowns. The dynamic returner accumulated 581 punt return yards (14.9 avg.) and 841 kick return yards (20.0 avg.).” https://msuspartans.com/news/2023/4/28/football-jayden-reed-selected-by-green-bay-packers-in-second-round-of-nfl-draft.aspx#:~:text=Over%20his%2044%2Dgame%20collegiate,return%20yards%20(20.0%20avg.)
The 2nd Round Hits
The best Packers’ wide receivers have seemed to all be drafted in the second round over the years. Including: Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, and Christian Watson. While the Packers did not select Smith-Njigba in the first round, lets give Jayden Reed a chance to show us what he can bring to the offense. If Reed does develop and show flashes, it will only grow Jordan Love’s confidence and ability to become great.
Realistic Expectations
As the draft is now complete and the season continues to become closer, Packer Fans also need to acknowledge that the team is going to look a whole lot different this upcoming season. Aaron Rodgers has been traded and now the team has handed the keys of the franchise to 2020 1st round pick, Jordan Love. The normal expectations in the past was Super Bowl or bust but now those expectations are shifting towards a much different approach. That approach would be, seeing development and flashes among this young core of players on the roster. That all starts with the players that just were drafted including, Jayden Reed.
