The Green Bay Packers went out of character by selecting Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed. However, what Brian Gutekunst and Co. couldn’t pass up was his versatility.
This was an off-script pick for the Packers because, typically at the receiver position, they prefer bigger bodies, with many past draft picks standing at least 6-0 and weighing more than 195 pounds. Green Bay also has primarily drafted prospects with a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) over 8.0, including many who broke the 9.0 mark. Reed, meanwhile, measures in at just under 5-11 and weighs 187 pounds. He also recorded a RAS of 6.74.
But in going beyond the measurements, this is a player that very much fits what the Packers look for. Although his overall RAS doesn’t leap off the page, Reed did run a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Following the selection, Packers Director of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan said that the team clocked Reed at 4.37 seconds.
“He’s strong, and he’s fast,” Sullivan told reporters. “To simplify it, he’s got exceptional strength for a smaller framed player and he can run. He’s got good tempo, and the clock showed it. I believe we had him at 4.37. But more importantly, he plays fast. He’s got good tempo, and he’s quick. He can get in and out of breaks. Obviously, outside the numbers, the speed comes into play, but on the inside, he’s strong and can get in and out of breaks to create separation.”
Reed will also be able to fill a variety of roles on this Packers team. He is an experienced player coming out of Michigan State with 310 career targets. His most productive season came in 2021, where he averaged nearly 18 yards per catch, and that speed of his was on display as he ranked 24th among all receivers in average yards after the catch.
He played 49% of his snaps from the slot and 51% from the boundary. At the NFL level with Green Bay, that movement around the formation will continue. Despite Reed’s frame, the Packers believe he can play both inside and out.
“We feel like he can do both,” said Sullivan. “He can play inside. He compliments the two guys we have coming back in Christian and Rome really well. We feel he’s versatile enough to play both, and Matt’s pretty creative with those guys to do the jet sweep stuff and do some of the return stuff. That was part of the like for him; felt he was a pretty versatile player.”
As just mentioned, we could see Reed utilized as a pre-snap motion man and given the ball on jet sweeps. This gadget-type role has been relatively small in recent seasons on this Packers team, but with Jordan Love at quarterback and potentially more pre-snap motion taking place, there very well could be more opportunities. Having this element will help keep defenses off-balance while also providing another way to generate big plays.
It’s not only on offense where Reed’s impact can be felt, but on special teams as well. He was one of the more dynamic return men in this year’s draft class. During his career with the Spartans, Reed had 43 kick return attempts and averaged 19.6 yards per return. He was incredibly dynamic as a punt returner, averaging an impressive 15.0 yards per return on 37 attempts with three touchdowns.
Although the Packers do have the returning All-Pro return man in Keisean Nixon, with him at least beginning the season as the starting nickel cornerback, it is possible that we see his role on special teams reduced as defensive responsibilities take precedence, opening the door for Reed to be the team’s go-to return man.
If you’re not familiar with Reed’s game, the initial selection very easily could have come as a surprise, given his initial measurements. But it then becomes quite easy to see why the Packers became enamored with him and had to make that pick.
Reed will likely end up wearing many hats on this Packers team. On a Zoom call with reporters following the selection, when asked what role suits him best, Reed had the perfect answer, saying that he is a football player and will do whatever is asked of him to help the team win.
“Reed is versatile,” added Sullivan. “(He) brings special teams value as a returner. Can play in the slot, can play outside. Strong, and again, a guy who is wired right and brings an element of toughness and competitiveness to that room.”
