There was much chatter during this past offseason about how impressive Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was in the 2023 season despite not having a “No. 1” wide receiver.
But could second-year receiver Jayden Reed put that chatter to rest this upcoming season?
Here’s the fantasy outlook for Reed for the 2024 season.
Jayden Reed’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
On a Green Bay offense loaded with young, talented players (seven of the eight players that had at least 20 receptions in 2023 were age 25 or young), Reed’s season may have stood out above the others.
He led the team in receptions (64) and receiving yards (793), while his eight TD receptions were tied with Romeo Doubs for the most on the Packers.
When you add in his two rushing touchdowns, then Reed enjoyed a team-best 10 scores last season.
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In fact, Reed was one of only five rookies last season to reach double digits in touchdowns. And among rookie wide receivers, only the Vikings Jordan Addison had as many total touchdowns as Reed in 2023 — Addison also had 10 touchdowns.
Reed scored a touchdown in half of his 16 games played, and his two best games in terms of receiving yards came in his final two games of the regular season — 89 yards vs. the Minnesota Vikings and 112 yards vs. the Chicago Bears.
And he was at his best against the NFC North Division, averaging 70.2 receiving yards a game and 18.3 yards per reception. He averaged six targets per game and nearly 12 receiving yards per target (11.7).
However, Reed fizzled somewhat on the big stage when playoff time came. He was held without a reception for the only time last season in the Wild Card win over the Dallas Cowboys, and while he had four receptions on four targets in the Divisional Round loss to the 49ers, Reed only had 35 receiving yards, and he did not score a touchdown in either game.
Is Reed a Good Fantasy Pick?
Reed enters this season as the No. 33 wide receiver in the Pro Football Network’s fantasy wide receiver rankings.
While that is the highest ranking among Packers’ wide receivers and appears to signify the belief that he will elevate his game in his second season, there are still some issues for fantasy managers to consider when deciding whether or not to select Reed in their respective drafts.
The biggest issue is that the Packers continue to field one of the youngest but most talented groups of wide receivers. Along with Reed and Doubs (both 23), there is Dontayvion Wicks (age 22) and Christian Watson (age 24).
Even Green Bay’s two leaders among tight ends in receptions last season — Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft — were both 23 years old.
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All are back for this season, giving quarterback Jordan Love plenty of options to look for in 2024. That could keep Reed’s numbers from challenging the elite in the NFL.
His ranking suggests a mid-round selection would be the proper play for fantasy managers looking to draft Reed. And if things work out, he could reap high rewards in fantasy this season.
