The Denver Broncos must have help, both at receiver and punt returner, and Jalen Reagor could be the answer to both areas of need.
Reagor is a stud who left school at Texas Christian University one year early to pursue a career in the NFL, just like his dad, Montae Reagor.
The youthful wideout has speed and athleticism in spades, enough so to be able to play both No. 2 receiver as well as punt returner for the Broncos. He was named Second-Team All-Big-12 in 2018 as a receiver for his career year, but then dropped off a bit in 2019.
If Denver misses out on the top receivers in this year’s draft, could Reagor be the fit in Round 2?
Positives
This kid is one of the most athletic in the NFL Draft in 2020. While his 40-yard dash (4.47) left many wondering where the speed they saw on tape went, his vertical (42.0″) and broad jump (138.0″) were each second-best among all receivers.
He’s not just an athletic freak of nature, Reagor knows how to make plays with the ball in his hands. Watch his tape and see him take short passes to the house as he turns on the afterburners and accelerates away from defenders.
His loose hips help make him a fluid athlete, but he’s also explosive. Reagor can create space and make plays at all levels and he can also possibly contribute on special teams as a return man.
Negatives
His production has been up-and-down, and with only three years of data to go on, he’s a bit of a gamble. Sure, that sophomore season was sensational, but what happened last year? In 2018, Reagor was named Second-Team All-Big-12 for his 1,067-yard and 9-touchdown campaign. He also ran for two touchdowns and was a decent return man as well.
But in 2019, his numbers fell to a mere 611 receiving yards, with only five touchdowns; almost a drop in half compared to his sophomore year. The one caveat here is his punt returning took more of a center stage; Reagor had 15 returns for 312 yards, a strong 20.8 yards per return, and even scored on one.
Besides his inconsistency in terms of production, there are questions surrounding his speed. While he was the fastest player in the Big-12, and his tape shows a man shot out of a cannon whenever he has the ball in his hands, his 4.47 unofficial 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine was much slower than most expected. He also gets bullied in jump-ball situations at times.
Verdict
If Denver is still looking for a wideout in the second round, Reagor could end up being a steal. He’s 5’11” and 195 pounds, a solid size for a No. 2 receiver, or he could possibly end up lining up in the slot.
Here’s the thing on Reagor, though; he could go as early as the 20s and some have him falling to the late 50s. If he’s there at 46, expect the Broncos to snag him.
Likely Draft Position: Late first-mid second round