Instant Takeaways: Packers select Michigan State WR Jayden Reed
By Paul Bretl
After trading down, the Green Bay Packers selected Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed with the 50th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here are my instant takeaways from the pick.
– As I wrote prior to the draft, trading down made all the sense for the Packers. This is a team with several needs to address and they again will be up against the salary cap in 2024. Having more inexpensive rookie deals on the 53-man roster will help them begin to get their cap situation back in order after these past few offseasons.
– Reed is an off-script selection for the Packers from a size standpoint. Reed measured in at just under 5’11” and weighs 187 pounds, below the usual 6’0” – 200 pound threshold they have often stuck to. It’s also worth noting that Reed’s Relative Athletic Score of 6.74 is lower than usual as well, although he did run an impressive 4.45-second 40-yard dash.
– Reed is a very experienced player, with 310 career targets. He has caught 198 of those passes at 14.1 yards per catch with 24 touchdowns. Most recently in 2022, Reed hauled in 55 of his 84 targets at 11.6 yards per catch with five touchdowns.
– The 2021 season was Reed’s most productive, with him averaging over 17 yards per catch and ranking 24th out of all receivers in average yards after the catch, showcasing his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands.
– Vice President of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan mentioned Reed’s versatility being a key factor in the Packers selecting him. Touched on his ability as a return man, to be utilized on jet sweeps, and playing inside and out. Receivers being able to move around the formation is an important aspect of playing receiver in the Matt LaFleur offense—Reed has spent 49% of his career snaps in the slot and the rest out wide.
– As a return man, Reed had 43 career kick return attempts and averaged 19.6 yards per return. On punt returns, he averaged an impressive 15.0 yards per return on 37 career attempts with three touchdowns. Although Keisean Nixon was an All-Pro return man, with him taking on a larger role on defense in the slot, we could see him taking fewer return attempts.
– Although he has a smaller frame, Jon-Eric Sullivan attributes Reed’s speed and strengths as two reasons why he has found success on the boundary. Sullivan also adds that Reed’s skill set is a good compliment to Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
– For a closer look at Jayden Reed and what he can bring to the Packers, Lance ZierleinLance Zierlein of NFL.com had this to say in his pre-draft report:
"“Utility wideout with the ability to take snaps at multiple receiver positions while offering both kickoff and punt return talent. Reed looks smaller in many of his matchups, but he is rarely deterred by size. He’s too tight-hipped for stop-start routes on the tree, but he operates with good route speed and should improve his ability to separate with additional development and experience on the next level. His ball skills and feel for positioning on deep throws and jump balls are unquestioned. Limiting his focus drops on short and intermediate throws will be critical to becoming a long-term NFL contributor.“"