I’m not sure anybody had a worse 2020 NFL Draft than the Philadelphia Eagles. It all started when the Eagles pulled on the trigger on TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor with the 21st overall pick. Whether you like Reagor or not as a prospect is irrelevant. There is no question Philadelphia reached. It’s something that will likely come back to haunt them.
This idea that the Eagles had to pick Reagor at 21 is laughable. Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins, and Michael Pittman were all taken after Reagor. Here’s a bet I’ll take. At least one of those names turns out better than Reagor. Trade down, Howie. What are you doing?
The one that gets me is KJ Hamler. I prefer Hamler to Reagor but both are similar players. Vertical guys with plus speed but questionable hands. KJ Hamler went with the 14th pick in the 2nd round. Here’s another bet I’ll take. There is no chance that Reagor is 25 picks better than Hamler. Especially when you consider that value you would get trading down those spots and collecting extra picks.
Jalen Reagor was a reach at 21. There is no other way to slice it. I don’t hate Reagor as a prospect. This idea he belongs in the first round doesn’t seem right. People have raved about Reagor’s speed. A 4.47 at the combine is a good time, it’s not an all world time. The experts that claim that Reagor has elite speed are just blowing smoke up their ass. The combine times don’t lie. Unlike the Pro Day were everyone lies in a useless exercise.
Reagor has some real weaknesses you have to worry about. His ball skills are average. At 5-foot-11, he’s not going to win a ton of balls in the air. Nor did he in college. The route tree is limited. Over 90 percent of the time he lined up as an outside receiver. Maybe he can do more things than go deep. However, we haven’t seen it. I’m not sure he’s going to beat press coverage on a routine basis either.
Guess what also isn’t there? Production… Reagor didn’t have good numbers in college. 43 receptions, 611 yards, and 5 touchdowns in 12 starts. That sure as hell doesn’t scream first round. Yes, he had bad quarterback play in college. Still, you gotta do better than that in the Big 12.
The risks outweigh the rewards. Especially at wide receiver when there have been so many first round busts. I can’t envision a scenario where’s he’s better than Calvin Ridley and Ridley is a way better route runner. I don’t get this one. Especially in such a deep WR class. Even if Reagor turns out to be a solid pro, there’s no way you can defend this move. He will forever be compared to Justin Jefferson who went one pick later.
