It wouldn't be surprising if Jayden Reed followed Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks out the door next offseason. Although the Green Bay Packers would love to keep him, with other extensions to get done, he will likely cost too much in free agency - at least as much as Doubs' four-year, $68 million deal with the New England Patriots.
Realistically, they can't expect to retain all of Reed, Christian Watson, Tucker Kraft, Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness … it's a long list, and there isn't enough money to check off every item.
To prepare for Reed's possible, perhaps likely departure, the Packers would be wise to invest in his replacement via the draft. What does Reed do best, something no other Green Bay receiver provides at nearly the same clip?
That's right, he's a yards-after-catch machine, and that makes UConn's Skyler Bell a highly intriguing Packers prospect in this year's draft.
Skyler Bell could be Packers' contingency plan for potential Jayden Reed departure
In a prospect ranking of the best player at each of 100 different skills, ESPN draft expert Matt Bowen recognized Bell as "Best after the catch." That's not hyperbole. Only Miami's Malachi Toney outdid Bell's 833 yards after the catch last season.
If the Packers lose Reed, they'll need someone to fill the void. That much was clear last season when Reed went out injured. Among Green Bay receivers, Doubs led the Pack with a YAC total of 163, less than half of Reed's production a year before (380 YAC).
The offense suffered without Reed's playmaking ability with the ball in his hands, a problem compounded by the season-ending injury to tight end Tucker Kraft. The latter should be a long-term priority (read: get an extension done), but the Packers will still need to replace Reed in the receiver room if he leaves.
Bell is even a bit quicker than Reed, posting a 4.40 40-time at the combine, and a touch bigger at 6 feet and 192 pounds. But he isn't just a shifty weapon post-reception. He's a producer. Across the board, his 101 catches, 13 touchdowns, and 1,278 receiving yards ranked Top 3 in the FBS.
Bell did all that while catching passes from a quarterback, Joe Fagnano, ranked in the undrafted free-agent range on Pro Football Focus' big board. It's not like he had easy catches served up on a platter by a Heisman candidate or even an NFL-caliber draft pick.
The concern, of course, is that Bell put up those gaudy numbers against a softer schedule. No doubt, Big Ten or SEC defenses would present tougher matchups than Boston College or Ball State.
That element of uncertainty, however, is partly why Bell could be available for the Packers. He will be there almost surely at No. 52, and he could even last until pick No. 84 in the third round. If the Packers miss out on Tennessee's Chris Brazzell II or Alabama's Germie Bernard, or if they would rather draft a receiver a bit later on Day 2, Bell might offer the best upside remaining on the board.
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