Jayden Reed's 23rd birthday was an unforgettable one. On Friday, April 28th, the former Michigan State wide receiver received a phone call with a Green Bay area code, and at that moment, he knew his NFL dream was coming true.

The Green Bay Packers selected the Naperville, IL, native with the 50th overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft. Reed may only boast a 5-foot-11 and 187-pound frame, but he is a tenacious competitor. After playing one year at Western Michigan and then sitting out 2019 to transfer, Reed started three seasons at Michigan State, twice earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors, while also leading the Spartan program in all-purpose yards between 2020-2022.

Reed is a multifaceted playmaker on offense, but he is also one of the top punt returners coming out of college--something he will certainly bring to the Packers roster. The 23-year-old receiver was the talk of Mobile back in January at the Senior Bowl, looking dominant in one-on-one drills and making plays in practice.

The Packers selected Reed with the opportunity to compete immediately for playing time at wide receiver. Green Bay has lost Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard to free agency. Before the draft, the cupboard was bare at the position outside of second-year players Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samari Toure.

With Cobb gone and Amari Rogers traded to Houston, Matt LaFlauer's offense desperately needed a slot weapon. However, while Reed is a natural fit for this position, he is also versatile enough to line up in a variety of spots on the field.

Here are my observations of what Reed brings to the field after watching over a dozen games from his past two seasons at Michigan State.

College Production

Reed led the Spartans in all-purpose yards in 2020 with 407 receiving yards (33 receptions), 17 rushing yards, and 343 returning yards in seven games. He also caught three touchdowns, while averaging 12.3 yards per carry.

However, Reed's best season was undoubtedly his junior campaign. He led the team in receptions (59), receiving yards (1,026), and touchdowns (10). His 17.39 yards per catch was the second best average in the Big Ten. He also returned 11 punts for 238 yards (21.64 avg) and two touchdowns. Reed's best games came against Youngstown State, Western Kentucky, and Maryland.

Reed's senior season wasn't nearly as impressive, but some nagging injuries and changes in the Spartans offense led to limited production. Michigan State lost stellar running back Kenneth Walker, which led to more attention on Reed and the passing game. Reed still finished the season with 55 receptions, 636 yards, and five touchdowns.

Athletic Testing

Reed's athletic profile doesn't jump off the page. While his speed is respectable (4.45), he has below average height, weight, and vertical for the position. He also only scored in the middle of the pack for the bench press, broad jump, and short shuttle. Reed's 6.74 relative athletic score is well below what the Packers typically draft at the position, especially in the early rounds.

Green Bay typically prefers athletes above the 8.00 RAS score. Lukas Van Ness boasts a 9.39 RAS. Luke Musgrave has a 9.78 RAS, and Tucker Kraft's RAS is 9.68. For this reason, it is easy to see why some were surprised the Packers selected Reed in the second round.

Last year, Green Bay selected Christian Watson in the second round, and his RAS score was through the roof at 9.98. It seems the Packers are taking a different approach this year, but it does make sense. They already have their long athletes to stretch the field in Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samari Toure. 

The Packers have also made exceptions before at the position when they feel the talent is good enough. Randall Cobb was taken in the second round in 2011 and his RAS was 3.11, while Jordy Nelson's was 7.40, which is closer to Reed's 6.74. Like Cobb, the Packers may being making an exception for a slot receiver in Reed's case. Also, like Nelson, Reed's other traits, like route running, are so developed that they are willing to value it over elite athleticism.

Traits to Love and What Reed Brings to the Packers

1. Polished Route Runner – Reed enters the NFL already highly proficient in a variety of routes. He also shows a handful of very creative and explosive release packages. Both of these traits allow him to create separation and win one-on-ones against defensive backs. Watch how in the first clip against Maryland Reed beats his guy at the line of scrimmage with a quick inside-out move to help him gain the edge and work his way to the corner of the end zone. His suddenness and fluidity when changing direction really stand out.

Reed can also change gears and accelerate out of his breaks, whether this is on intermediate routes like outs, slants, or crossers, or he can use it to gain a step on vertical routes. Watch in this next clip from the Pitt game how smoothly Reed accelerates out of his stance on the snap and then creates just enough separation to make the catch over the defender's shoulder. Winning in these tight windows is the name of the game in the NFL, and Reed can really excel at it.

These final handful of clips are from the one-on-ones in the Senior Bowl. These really highlight just how sharp Reed's footwork is when breaking out of his routes and changing speeds. He also shows a variety of releases, which keep defenders guessing. In the video at the 33-second mark is an excellent example of Reed's quick release, but then his ability to stop on a dime, keep his balance, and chop his feet as he comes to a stop on the hitch route. Reed shows excellent ankle flexion and change of direction, which makes him a highly effective route runner.

2. Contested Catch Aficionado – The most exciting part of Reed's game is perhaps his competitive nature in contested catch situations. Reed is a fighter and this shows in jump ball situations. He does a great job high-pointing the ball and going after it. In the following clip from the Pitt game, Michigan State is down five points with three minutes left, and watch how ferocious Reed is in going up and getting the ball to secure the catch over the defender in the end zone.

The next two clips are from the Illinois and Rutgers games, and while they show Reed's ability to make receptions in tight coverage, they also highlight his impressive body control as he adjusts to the ball in the air. On film, Reed consistently shows impressive ball adjustment, which seems to be second nature to him and a highly valuable trait at the next level. In the first clip Reed is guarded by Quan Martin, who was taken in the second round by the Commanders. Martin is certainly trying to get his hands on Reed and bully him, but Reed is unphased by this as he hauls in the catch. The second clip shows Reed's ability to quickly adjust to the ball as he turns his body with a defender in his face to tack the under-thrown pass.

This final clip is from the Michigan game and it demonstrates Reed's ability to make tough sideline catches with a defender draped all over him. Reed's concentration is very impressive, and he also shows good balance as he hauls in the pass while getting his feet down in bounds.

3. Big Play Threat – Reed had a whopping 46 explosive plays in his final two seasons at Michigan State. His ability to use his speed to be a deep threat will make him a dangerous weapon in the Packers offense. Reed can stretch the field from the slot or as an "X," and his deceptive speed will force opposing defenses to respect his big-play ability. These next two clips show this very thing. The first one is from the Youngstown State game, and Reed burns two defenders on a post route for a 85-yard touchdown. The second clip is from the Rutgers game, and Reed is lined up in the slot. He slips behind the second level of the defense and splits the safeties down the seam as he hauls in the touchdown. Reed is so smooth in his acceleration that he makes it look effortless.

Reed is not only a big-play threat, however, he is also a receiver that can be a go-to receiver in crucial moments of a game. He doesn't shy away from the most heated part of the game, and it's this competitive spirit that underlines every aspect of his play. In this next clip it is the second overtime against Wisconsin. The Spartans needs to score a touchdown to seal the win, and it's 3rd-and-12. Payton Thorne throws the jump ball to Reed, and he makes one of the most impressive catches of the 2022 season, highlighting just how clutch he can be under pressure.

4. Fearless Competitor – Reed is tenacious on the field, whether that is breaking tackles trying to gain the extra yards, fearlessly running across the middle of the field, or taking a hit  as he hauls in a pass. These next three clips highlight just how tough of a competitor Reed is and his ability to get yards after the catch. This makes him a reliable target in the middle of the field and a real weapon out in space.

5. Dynamic Returner – Reed is a fantastic receiver, but what makes him an especially valuable asset to the team is his ability to make plays as a returner. Reed returned three punts for touchdowns in college, and this kind of playmaking on special teams can be a game changer. While Kesean Nixon already has the kick returner job cemented, giving Reed punt return duties could go a long way in maximizing the Packers special teams. Reed is a smooth runner with great vision with the ball in his hands. The following three clips demonstrate just how confident and explosive he can be as a returner. He hits the hole and doesn't hesitate. He is decisive in getting downfield and turning on the burners once there's an opening.

Areas of Improvement for the Next Level

1. Needs to Show Better Effort as a Blocker – One area that really needs a lot of improvement as Reed starts his NFL career is his effort as a blocker. Whether it is in the run game or on the perimeter for wide receiver screens, Reed is very inconsistent in getting his nose in the action and putting his hat on a defender. There is a lot of hesitancy in Reed when engaging defenders. While at times he is successful, there is still a lot left to be desired. He struggles to sustain blocks as he gets flat-footed. Some of the time, he even looks disinterested, which isn't going to go over well in Matt LaFlauer's offense. The Packers require their receivers to be crucial parts of the run game, and Green Bay will certainly miss the void Allen Lazard left as a run-blocking perimeter player. Sometimes, it just comes down to effort, and as is shown in the next two clips, the effort was pretty poor.

2. Needs to Clean up Drops – Unfortunately, there are drops on Reed's film, and this will be a work-in-progress for the rookie as he starts his NFL career. Reed's 19 drops in his collegiate career were the 5th most among the 14 wide receivers selected in the first three rounds of this year's draft. However, the Packers have been down this road before. Christian Watson certainly had his fair share of drops in college, and Davante Adams, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson all struggled with drops in their first year or two.

Question Marks Going Into the NFL?

1. Limited to Just Playing Slot? – Because of his size Reed will quickly get pegged as a slot receiver as he begins his NFL career. However, Reed should quickly prove he can play on the outside just as well. He split time between both spots at Michigan State, and he was equally effective in both roles. Because of his top-end speed Reed poses a legitimate threat down the field, making him an outside receiver teams will have to respect if he lines up as an "X". Watson and Reed on the outside will certainly add a lot of speed to the Packers offense. However, if Doubs continues to grow and Toure or Dayvion Wicks show a lot of promise as outside receivers, then Reed may find a home as a "Z". He can run all of the motion and gadget plays the Packers like, and he can stretch the field down the seam or work the middle of the field. However, despite being able to excel in these roles, it doesn't mean he can't develop into a well-balanced wide receiver who offers versatility.

2. What’s His Ceiling as a Pro? – It is hard to say what Reed's ceiling is as a pro. He was Michigan State's No. 1 wide receiver for three seasons, so it is certainly a role he is used to. However, realistically, Reed is probably better suited as a No. 2 or 3 receiver in an NFL offense. He is a great complement to Watson and Doubs. However, some of Reed's best games in college were against lesser competition, like Youngstown State, Western Kentucky, and Rutgers. When going against Michigan's D.J. Turner or Miami's Tyrique Stevenson--both drafted in early rounds this year--Reed's impact was limited. However, this was him playing as an "X" and with opposing defenses zeroing in on him. If teams guard Watson with their top cover corner, and Doubs, Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, or Aaron Jones take some of the defense's attention, then Reed could make an immediate impact as an additional offensive weapon.

Jayden Reed Film: Games vs. Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Northwestern