Jayden Reed NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 187lbs.
School: Michigan State
2023 NFL Draft: Jayden Reed Scouting Report
For Michigan State, 2022 was an underwhelming season, and wide receiver Jayden Reed felt the effects. After a standout campaign his junior year, this past season saw the wideout catch 55 passes, only to accumulate 636 yards receiving. With his best performances coming against stout defenses in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Rutgers, he was held back by mediocre offensive play. Nevertheless, Reed’s ability still shined through, as he is still the receiver he was in 2021.
During his breakout 2021 season, Reed had 59 receptions for 1,026 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. His 17.4 yards per reception put his name on the map as a big-play weapon, as well as his talent in the kick and punt return game. Not to mention, Reed added another touchdown in the rushing game during his junior year. Reed showed what he was capable of when on the field, after only playing seven games and catching 33 passes as a sophomore.
Prior to his time at Michigan State, Reed played one season for Western Michigan. His 797 yards receiving, and eight touchdown catches as a freshman led Reed to sit out the 2019 season as he made his way to the Spartans via transfer. Coming out of high school, Reed was not ranked, only having offers from Western Michigan, Toledo, Central Michigan, and Miami (OH).
Strengths
- Strong hands and body control to win contested catches over larger defenders
- High-motor receiver with good acceleration off the line of scrimmage
- Great ball-tracking skills with the versatility to line up in any receiver role
- Significant special teams value as both kick/punt returner
- Possesses run after the catch ability and awareness
- Excellent release, route running, and separation ability
Weaknesses
- Long speed not that of an elite vertical threat in the NFL
- Displays hip tightness at the top of route breaks
- Underwhelming catch radius and overall play strength
- Size, contested catch ability limited over the middle of the field
NFL Comparison: Sterling Shepard plus return ability
Teams With Need at Position: San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders
Projection: Fourth-Round
Bottom Line on Jayden Reed:
Jayden Reed is a player who can make an immediate impact out of the gate as a rookie. Reed has experience lining up at multiple receiver positions and finding success in each one, while also making an impact in the return game. After all, Reed has three punt returns for touchdowns to his name during college. The Michigan State product plays bigger than he is and has the tools necessary to improve his play strength and hit tightness on routes.
At his size, it would be best if Reed adds some bulk to his frame to handle contested catches over the middle of the field. His 4.45 40-yard dash time at the 2023 NFL Combine isn’t impressive, but Reed’s separation ability and release package allow for his gradual acceleration. Even playing in the Big Ten against lengthy, talented cornerbacks of Ohio State and Michigan, Reed found a way to get open.
Out of the gate, Jayden Reed is a fourth or fifth wide receiver option as he refines his game. He can become a number three option by the end of his rookie season, and as he continues to develop, the upside is there for Reed to develop into a starting wide receiver. The traits and skills needed are there. It is simply piecing it all together to become the versatile weapon Reed can be in the pros.
Main Photo Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
