Jayden Reed, a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, had an exciting rookie season. Reed grabbed four passes for 112 yards receiving as the Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 17-9. That is one of the reasons Green Bay is 9-8 heading into the postseason.
Reed’s key play in the game was a 59-yard reception with Green Bay leading 14-9 in the fourth quarter before the drive finished with a field goal. In an interview with The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, he stated:
“I felt slow on that play.”
He didn’t score a touchdown, but he showed in this game against Chicago that he has emerged as quarterback Jordan Love’s top wide receiver option.
Reed was a second-round pick out of Michigan State and began training camp as the team’s third wide receiver on the depth chart. He concluded the season with 64 receptions (a rookie record for the Packers), 793 yards receiving, and eight touchdowns, while averaging 12.4 yards per grab.
Reed also rushed 11 times for 119 yards and two scores, averaging 10.8 yards per carry. Is it feasible that he may end up looking a lot like San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the long run? It is yet to be seen.
Reed topped the club in receiving yards, becoming him the first Packers rookie to do so since Sterling Sharpe in 1988.
Jayden Reed outperformed expectations as a rookie with the Green Bay Packers.
Reed outperformed expectations in his rookie season. While Christian Watson was out with a hamstring injury for multiple games this season, Reed was the number two wide receiver to begin the season and then the number three option when Watson returned.
However, during the last few weeks, Reed has established himself as Love’s primary receiving option moving forward. He has always been dependable. Reed struggled with dropping passes at the start of the season, but he hasn’t dropped a ball in the previous few weeks.
The Packers have a history of selecting wide receivers in the second round of the NFL Draft. Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams were also second-round picks, and Reed is on track to have careers similar to theirs if he continues at this rate.
