Overview
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.

Strengths

Highly competitive against bigger/stronger Ohio State corners in 2022.
Accelerates to his top speed in a hurry.
Keeps routes moving at an elevated tempo.
Good ball skills to track and time the deep throw.
Clever hands and positioning help carve out catch space.
Makes winning plays on back-shoulder throws.
Can be elusive when needed after the catch.
Has three career punt return touchdowns.

Weaknesses

High percentage of career catch tries were contested.
Quicker than fast with average deep separation.
Hip tightness limits in-and-out quickness at route breaks.
Doesn’t always finish his routes.
Loses catch focus working into the middle of the field.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jayden-reed/32005245-4526-3142-e96f-a871c08a1138 

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Packers had Jayden Reed at 4.37 in the 40.

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He was a head scratcher when they selected him. He had to be the player Gutey wanted when he kept trading back. He knew that nobody else was going to jump in and take him.

2022 wasn't a great season for him but like Love, the prior year (2021 for Reed) was a very good year.

I heard he may end up in the slot. Return punts.

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Also reading that a lot of the contested catches Reed had were bailouts for his QB. Might be a scheme/QB thing.

If he can return punts, I guess they can line him up with Nixon on KR. 

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Love seeing all the crazy catches this kid makes.

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One of the video in which they discussed Reed emphasized the production he has had.   I believe this aspect of his game is really important, and sometimes underrated in our draft room at the expense of RAS.  

Give me a guy who has done it every time with a guy who simply has shown flashes but with a great underwear drill scores.

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Just an observation…

This is a weak WR draft. I think Watson goes off the board before JSN if he was in this draft. Got him in the 2nd last year. I think Doubs goes off the board before Reed in the same draft. Got him in the 4th.

Not saying this is a bad pick. I am curious what Matt LaFleur will do with all this young talent, but Doubs created a buzz immediately last year. Watson obviously did after the Cowboys game. We may need to wait a bit on Reed. I didn’t see a lot of separation from him, which makes his testing surprising. It also could mean LaFleur will need to “scheme” him open. Excited about seeing him return punts.

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Reed really seems to have a innate sense of how to position himself for a catch and pluck the ball out of air. Like the scouting report in the initial post says, despite him being smaller he always seems to be on the attack. Has some Steve Smith vibes to him.

At 1:12, I can see MLF calling similar plays for him
At 2:46 jet sweep alert! Jet sweep alert! Going out on a limb but he looks faster than Lazard doing that



Makes an adjustment and a tough catch.


 

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Elsewhere, I'm seen enough Packers fans crap on this pick (WR Reed) I want him to do great just so others can throw it back in those complaining fans faces.

I think some just assumed Packers would target another Watson type (tall, big and burner speed) and I assumed Gute would target tall and big, as he always has outside Amari (whom was big but not tall).

WR Reed might not be a burner (I don't see 4.37 in his highlights, he doesn't seem to burn anyone with pure speed) but he makes some freaking excellent quick sharpe route running cuts which gave me some flash backs to short and intermediate route running in Jennings and Cobb prime, and his highlights show coaching film quality level of coming back to the ball and high pointing the ball like I don't remember seeing in WR film (some TEs do it better, but I can't remember a WR).


​​​​​​Reed can run more detailed routes that others on the roster can't. Let others go down for the deep ball, let Reed and the TEs try to control the middle and intermediate routes.

Watson and Musgrave (maybe Doubs) will be are deep shots and Reed, Kraft (maybe Dugara) intermediate shots

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