Packers expect even more production out of Jayden Reed, and he is ready to deliver
It was a unique rookie season for Jayden Reed. In his first year in the NFL, he had more opportunities than rookie wide receivers usually have for the Green Bay Packers, but he took full advantage of it, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and tied for first in receiving touchdowns — the first […]
It was a unique rookie season for Jayden Reed. In his first year in the NFL, he had more opportunities than rookie wide receivers usually have for the Green Bay Packers, but he took full advantage of it, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and tied for first in receiving touchdowns — the first rookie to do so since Sterling Sharpe in 1988.
Meanwhile, he broke the franchise record for receptions as a rookie and added two rushing touchdowns, and his 10 scrimmage TDs were third in Packers history by a first-year player.
For cornerback Jaire Alexander, accustomed to face him during practices, the comparison is easy.
"He has full potential. He reminds me of a young Randall Cobb," Alexander said. "But he's, I think, better. He's hungry. When you've got a young guy coming in and hungry for the ball, I mean, they're going to make their plays, and you see it."
Production
When the Packers took Jayden Reed in the second round in 2023, it was a slight surprise because he isn't the type of receiver (tall, bodied, outside piece) the team usually prefers. On the other hand, he brings something no other teammate does.
Beyond his 64 receptions last season, Reed showed an impressive ability to generate yards with the ball in his hands. The rookie led the team with 335 yards after the catch, and he also led the team in yards per carry (10.8) among players with at least two attempts. The wide receiver finished the season with 11 carries for 119 yards, and two TDs.
He's not the type of player you think when you talk about the search for a WR1, but his productivity is undeniable.
"I've never had a 100 catches in my whole career of football," Reed admitted. "But definitely there's a lot of ways to get me the ball. Running bubbles out of the backfield, in the slot, outside if you want it. But no doubt about it, if any coordinator wanted to, they could get a player the ball however many times they want. Any receiver could have 100. That's just my perspective."
The Packers haven't had a player with 100+ receptions since 2021. That year, Davante Adams was targeted 169 times, finishing the season with 123 receptions for 1,553 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
For a slot receiver, it's harder to get so much attention. Randall Cobb, for example, had his best season in 2014, when the Packers passing offense was flying. Cobb had 126 targets, but finished slightly below the 100-reception mark, with 91 catches for 1,287 yards — it was his only season with at least 1,000 receiving yards in the league.
Role
Since the Packers traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, the team hasn't had a clear WR1. They seem fine with that approach. Now, Matt LaFleur's job is not to feed a single player, but to find what each of them does well and plan the offense accordingly.
"He does a lot," quarterback Jordan Love said of Reed. "Just the explosive playmaker he is, he's the guy that can win inside in the slot position for us and does a lot of really good things. You see what happens when he gets the ball in his hands. He's a phenomenal player, and obviously I think he's going to have a bigger role this year."
The competition for targets is evident, with Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, the tight ends and running backs. But Jayden Reed does so many things at a high level that it's hard to ignore how impactful he can be.
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