Packers CB Jaire Alexander: Jayden Reed 'reminds me of a young Randall Cobb'

The Green Bay Packers’ young receiving corps impressed in 2023, proving an exciting mix of talent that meshes well with Jordan Love.

Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Christian Watson all provide dynamic abilities that fit together like a perfect puzzle, combining route running, speed and after-the-catch acumen.

During his rookie season, Reed was the leading receiver for the Packers with 793 yards from 64 catches and eight touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, Reed spent 75.7% of his playtime in the slot. He demonstrated a talent for being accessible to Love, along with good catching ability and the capability to pose a threat across all three defense levels.

Asked about Reed during OTAs on Wednesday, Packers veteran corner Jaire Alexander provided a lofty comparison for the Year 2 wideout.

“I mean, he has full potential. He reminds me of a young Randall Cobb. But he’s, I think, you know — (whispering) he’s better,” Alexander said of Reed, chuckling at the last part. “He’s hungry, man. When you got a young guy coming in who’s hungry for the ball, they’re gonna make their plays. And you see it.”

Cobb established his reputation as a slot expert during his time with the Packers, consistently managing to get open in crucial moments. He ended his career with Green Bay ranking fifth in receptions (532), 11th in receiving yards (6,316) and 10th in touchdown catches (47).

Reed still has some distance to cover to match Cobb’s statistics, but he has a comparable potential. The present Green Bay receiver already has an advantage over Cobb, who only managed 375 yards in his rookie season but made a significant leap in his second year, achieving 954 yards and eight touchdowns.

Reed possesses the skill and chance to make a comparable jump in his second year in Green Bay.

Each young wideout on the Packers team offers a unique set of skills. While some may offer more dynamism, Reed’s combination of talent and reliability could potentially make him Love’s preferred receiver, especially during third downs and crucial moments.