Jayden Reed, WR Michigan State: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Reed was a three-star recruit from Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Ill. in the class of 2018

Michigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor went in the sixth round of this past NFL Draft. His former teammate, Jayden Reed, should go earlier in 2023. Reed led the Spartans in all major receiving categories last year and finished second to Kenneth Walker III in total touchdowns. I found it difficult to pin down his precise role at the NFL level, but Reed looks like an early lock to make the league.

Visit my Twitter account @Sam_Teets33 for more updates and previews of the 2023 NFL Draft Guide.

Jayden Reed, WR Michigan State: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt senior slot and outside receiver from Naperville, Ill.

Background: Reed was a three-star recruit from Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Ill. in the class of 2018. He transferred from Metea Valley High School in Aurora, Ill. to Naperville Central for his final high school season. Reed was the No. 1,783 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,618 for On3.com. He was an unranked two-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked recruit for ESPN with no grade or star rating. Reed amassed 60 receptions for 1,792 yards with 20 touchdowns in high school, including 23 catches for 403 yards and four touchdowns when he was a junior. He transferred from Western Michigan to Michigan State in 2019. Reed was born on April 28, 2000.

2021 Production: 13 games, 59 receptions, 1,026 yards, 10 touchdowns + 16 kick returns, 376 yards + 11 punt returns, 238 yards, 2 touchdowns

2020 Production: 7 games, 33 receptions, 407 yards, 3 touchdowns + 16 kick returns, 329 yards

2019 Production: Transfer Redshirt Year

2018 Production: 13 games, 56 receptions, 797 yards, 8 touchdowns + 12 punt returns, 215 yards, 1 touchdown

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: 2018 FWAA Freshman All-American, 2020 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Kick Returner), 2021 Third-Team All-Big Ten (WR), 2021 Second-Team All-Big Ten (Return Specialist)

Pros: Highly experienced special teams player, viable return man, plays in the slot and out wide, plays above his weight and size in contested catch situations, vision, possesses the speed to win at all three levels, high points the football, speed to quickly eliminate a corner’s cushion, moveable weapon for a creative play caller, makes defenders miss in space, above-average speed, acceleration leads to terrific linear speed as a return man, relies on quickness to beat press coverage, speedy route runner who is quick off the line, surprisingly large catch radius thanks to adjusting to the football

Cons: Age, has a history of fumbling, drops are a concern, small frame, won’t break many tackles, elusive but not twitchy, benefitted from schemed touches, physical defensive backs will try to redirect his route, needs to further develop intermediate routes, lacks diverse counters for press coverage, not a true burner, he will struggle against larger corners on the outside, blocking at his size could become a concern

Overview: Reed is unofficially listed at 6'0", 185 lbs. He has a high floor as a prospect because he can contribute immediately on special teams. Michigan State moved Reed around a lot, even giving him some carries. I wouldn’t call the Illinois native twitchy, but he’s elusive with above-average vision and creativity in space. The Spartans looked to get Reed the ball from a variety of alignments because they trusted he could consistently produce with the ball in his hands. He’s limited by a lean frame that will struggle against assertive defensive backs but has shown flashes of beating press coverage and finishing catches over defenders. Reed still needs to fill out some of the finer details of his game, such as more counters for press coverage and a larger intermediate route tree.

Overall, Reed is a versatile player gifted with speed and vertical leaping skills. While I envision Reed primarily playing in the slot at the next level, the door should remain open for him to get snaps as an outside receiver.

Role & Scheme Fit: Return man and slot receiver in an 11 personnel heavy scheme

Round Projection: Early Fourth to Late Fourth

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-13-22