While the New York Jets are building a roster full of Aaron Rodgers’ friends, the Green Bay Packers are moving ahead with a youthful wide receiver room. Of the current wide receivers on the Packers roster, only Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs have more than half a season of NFL snaps under their belt. Indeed, this is a very unexperienced group, but the new crop of receivers, which includes Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Grant DuBose, has many excited for the youth movement in Green Bay. In fact, one NFL analyst believes Reed is going to be a major contributor for the Packers in Year One.
Green Bay Packers’ 2nd Round Pick Jayden Reed Will Be Wide Receiver Two
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Last season, Allen Lazard was the Packers’ leading receiver with 60 receptions and 788 yards. Following the season, he decided to sign a four-year contract worth $44 million with the New York Jets. Additionally, news broke this morning that Randall Cobb also will be joining Lazard and Aaron Rodgers on the Jets. While the two veterans left the Packers’ wide receiver room without any real experience, they opened up the possibility that any one of the young pass catchers can make a real impact on the team.
Christian Watson, who had 41 receptions for 611 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns, is believed to be the next wide receiver one for the Packers. Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report predicts that Jayden Reed, Green Bay’s second round pick this year, will play well enough to be the team’s wide receiver two:
“The Packers used the No. 50 overall pick on Reed. He profiles as the kind of receiver who should be a safety blanket for a young quarterback like Love.
“Put on Reed’s highlights and you’ll see a receiver who thrives in the slot with his ability to get open and make something happen after the catch. He’s also able to high-point the ball and win contested catches, although that skill might not translate to the NFL as well given his frame (5’11”, 187 pounds).
“Either way, Reed will make life easier for Love. While Doubs typically succeeds on downfield targets that might be more difficult for the first-year starter, Reed can become a safe underneath target who makes plays on his own.”
While Reed plays well in the slot, he also has the ability to line up outside. Similarly, Watson and Doubs, who play well when lined up outside, can also play the slot. This positional variety is something that the Packers value highly in wide receivers, which is part of the reason they drafted each one of them.
In Reed, the Packers drafted a player who could very well take Cobb’s role as the security blanket for the quarterback. Fans can expect Reed to get many passes in the middle of the field or on shorter routes to pick up crucial first downs. Additionally, Reed brings punt return abilities that they team may decide to utilize while keep All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon as the primary kickoff return specialist.
If Reed can make a big impact, and if the offense is able to gel in a way that they simply could not last year, the Packers may be in for a very fun season. There will be learning moments, but the upside of Jordan Love and this young wide receiver group is very exciting.
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