The Green Bay Packers offense improved in the second half of the season. This is largely due to the appearance of many wide receivers in a young body. But one young receiver stood out from the crowd.
It was Michigan State freshman Jayden Reed. Christian Watson started the season on a good note, but missed eight games due to injury. Romeo Dubs also had a lot to say. He performed well this year, recording 674 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.Rookies Dontayvion Weeks, Bo Melton and Malik Heath made routine plays throughout the game, but failed to drive in crucial moments. But Reed always seems to step up when the Packers need him most.
As a freshman at East Lansing, Reed recorded 10 touchdowns and over 1,000 receiving yards. But he fell just short in his senior season, finishing with 636 yards and five touchdowns. When the Packers drafted him in the second round, he didn’t get much attention because of the buzz surrounding Watson and the Dubs. So they took a chance on a kid who wasn’t very proven.Reed led the team last year, catching 64 passes for 793 yards and 10 total touchdowns. He made big plays in key moments against the New Orleans Saints in an 18-17 Week 3 loss.
In Week 17’s 33-10 loss to the Vikings, he was a major threat in the middle of the field. And the Bears won 17-9 in Week 18, using their separation ability and vision to gain yards after the catch. Watson is the fastest receiver on the team and the Dubs may have the best hands. But Reed’s physique and attention to detail set him apart. Perform surgery and create space with precise footwork.
He rarely went the wrong way or messed with Jordan Love’s form, which is almost unheard of for any young player. He never seems to miss a pass or make a bad decision with the ball in his hands. Reed was never afraid to get physical with his defensive backs to gain a few more yards. In the video below, he hauls Vikings safety Josh Metellus 7 yards into the end zone.
