There was a real problem for the Philadelphia Eagles last season when it came to the wide receiver position. In an attempt to help address this, they used the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft to select Jalen Reagor in an effort to provide Carson Wentz more help.
The leading receivers for the Eagles in the 2019 season were two tight ends and rookie running back Miles Sanders, who wasn’t a full-time starter from the start. Wentz was still successful despite those circumstances and that bodes well now that Jackson is healthy and Reagor is in the mix.
Early on, the Eagles have embraced the talent Reagor brings to the table. Philadelphia is already involving him often with the first-team offense and has done so even out on the boundary. He has shown intriguing signs running routes for Wentz.
Training camp started quite recently but it hasn’t taken long for Wentz to notice the impressive explosiveness that Reagor brings to the table. This was something the Eagles quarterback noticed on film but is seeing it in training camp.
“He’s an explosive athlete. You can see that with his route-running ability and his down-the-field presence. You turn on his highlight tape, you see what he does with the ball in his hands. But, that’s one thing we haven’t been able to see with just practice going on, nothing live.
The long-term potential Reagor has is something Wentz has taken notice of early on. The rookie wideout has acclimated quickly to his new team and Wentz believes Reagor has an ‘extremely bright future.’
“I know what he brings as a threat to the defense, and I know he’s really picked up on things really well, and he’s always listening, always curious about why we’re doing things a certain way, or how I saw a certain play. That’s the type of thing I look for as a veteran, to look for these young guys that truly want to learn, they want to grow, they want to be great, and I see that in him. I see an extremely bright future for him, and I’m excited to help him become the player that he dreams of being.”
With the way the Eagles’ offense was structured last season after all the injuries to the receiver, there just wasn’t much for options to spread the field. Jackson was supposed to do this but his injury eliminated the options. Now, Reagor provides depth in this regard.
While the 2020 season marks the start of a fresh start, that hasn’t been the case completely in regards to injuries. Alshon Jeffery is not expected to start in Week 1 and there is ‘no timetable’ for his return. As a result, Reagor will be needed to make an impact early and often.
Seeing that the Philadelphia Eagles are already embracing Jalen Reagor, expect him to hit the ground running during his rookie campaign. He will be ready to make big plays in space and take the top off the opposition’s defense.
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