What Can Eagles Fans Expect of Jalen Reagor in Year One?
It is no secret some Eagles fans were disapproving of the Eagles picking Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson in the first round of the 2020 draft.
However, Jalen Reagor is an elite prospect at the receiver position and he fits what the Eagles do offensively better than Justin Jefferson.
Both are extremely talented, but Reagor gives the Eagles an explosive playmaking dynamic very few players can offer.
One question still stands with this pick, what will Jalen Reagor’s production look like in his rookie year?
ESPN NFL Analyst, Matt Bowen, predicts Reagor will lead all rookie wide receivers in receiving yards this year.
That is a very bold yet realistic prediction. Realistic in the fact that with the Eagles’ young and uncertain wide receiver room, Reagor has an opportunity to be on the field for 75% of the Eagles offensive snaps. Reagor will also likely return punts and possibly kickoffs for the Eagles, something he was proficient at while at TCU.
Jalen Reagor’s great route running and separation skills align with historical success from rookie receivers with the same skillsets. Deebo Samuel, Percy Harvin, Anquan Boldin, and Mecole Hardman all shared those same skills and were productive and successful in their rookie seasons. Also pairing Jalen’s elite deep threat skillsets with Carson Wentz’s passing strengths helps solidify the prediction that Reagor can be Wentz’s number one target from the jump in week 1 against Washington.
Doug Pederson’s west coast offensive system also gives Reagor the chance to be used in creative and diverse ways in year one. Pederson loves to utilize bubble screens and quick throws to his dynamic playmakers and will without a doubt have formations and plays designed to give Jalen the ball in space. At TCU Reagor demonstrated an elite ability to make defenders miss in the open field and use running angles to outrun the defense.
Jalen Reagor has an extremely bright football mind and is a fast learner, something the Eagles were impressed within their pre-draft interviews and testimonies from his college coaches.
Reagor also has an advantage in understanding an NFL locker room and the city of Philadelphia because his father had played in the NFL for 9 years, won a Super Bowl, and finished his career in Philadelphia.
If he can handle being Philadelphia’s number one receiver, there is no limit to what Reagor can do in year one and beyond.
Featured Image: RJ White/CBS Sports
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Categorized:Eagles