Packers 2020 draft first-round targets: Jalen Reagor
As the 2020 offseason rolls on, it’s looking more and more likely that for the first time since 2002, the Green Bay Packers may select a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft.
After watching the way the wide receiver group performed in 2019, this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Outside of Davante Adams, seven wide receivers caught at least one pass for the Packers in 2019. All seven of those players combined for 111 receptions, 1,475 yards, and eight touchdowns.
To really put those numbers into perspective, I’m going to share a few more stats with you from the 2019 season. Christian McCaffrey, a running back, had 116 receptions, Michael Thomas had 250 more receiving yards than all seven of the players listed above combined and 15 different players had eight or more touchdown catches alone.
If the Packers want their offense to go from good to great, they must add an elite receiving option.
That’s where former TCU star wideout, Jalen Reagor comes in.
The thing that really stands out to me about Reagor is his ability to line up all over the field. Whether he was on the outside, in the slot, in the backfield, or returning kicks he was electric with the ball in his hands.
Starting with his receiving production, Reagor scored 22 receiving touchdowns while averaging over 15 yards per reception. He was consistent throughout his entire college career, but his best year came in 2018 when he caught 72 passes for 1,061 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Now, on to the rushing, during his three seasons at TCU, Reagor received 35 carries for 324 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers may not jump off the screen but having a receiver with the ability to be a threat out of the backfield can open up so many things for Matt LaFleur’s offense. We see wide receivers lining up in the backfield more and more each year and it’s about time the Packers caught on to the trend.
Lastly, his punt returning skills are incredible. Reagor finished the 2019 season averaging over 20 yards per return with one score. By comparison, through the first 12 weeks of last year, the Packers had a whopping negative-eight punt return yards. The arrival of Tyler Ervin definitely alleviated some of the troubles but adding someone like Reagor would truly solidify the position.
The Packers have spent the better part of the last decade flooding their defense with talent while allowing the offense to fall to the wayside. With Aaron Rodgers entering his 16th season, that philosophy must change. It’s time to give him the tools he needs to bring home another Lombardi Trophy.