The Philadelphia Eagles surprised many by choosing speedster Jalen Reagor in the first round. With Doug Pederson’s team finally starting to practice on the field, the rookie can show the skill set that made him a top pick.
“Jalen Reagor has been really impressive on the football field,” Pederson said Monday after the practice, via the Associated Press.
In the first day of refurbished practice, quarterback Carson Wentz showed chemistry with the rookie, and connected with him over several long wins.
“It’s been a lot of fun just working with him,” Wentz said. “He’s an explosive athlete. You can see that with his route-running ability and his presence on the field. You turn on his highlight tape and you can see what he’s doing with the ball in his hands, and that’s one thing we can not see with just practices that go. “
Reagor’s speed made him the 21st overall pick from TCU in the 2020 draft, with the Eagles knowing they needed speed at the position after suffering seven DeSean Jackson most of last season.
With Alshon Jeffery continuing to recover from an injury, Reagor has had the opportunity to work on the outside with Jackson during practice. The duo gives Wentz a few field-wide menaces.
The rookie, according to Wentz, had no trouble with the Eagles’ offense despite not working on the field before training camp.
“I know what he brings as a threat to the defense and he has really noticed things,” Wentz said. “He always listens and is always jealous of why we do things a certain way or how I saw a certain play. And that’s the type of thing I as a veteran look for and look for in these young guys who really “I want to learn, the ones who really want to grow and be great. I see that with him and I see an extremely bright future in him. I am excited to help him become the player he dreams of becoming.”
After the position was decimated last season due to an injury, the Eagles expect big things from the rookie straight from the ball. With the injury history of Jeffery and Jackson, JJ Arcega-Whiteside starting camp hurt on the sidelines, Reagor and Greg Ward were able to play important roles for Wentz this season. So far, the rookie has impressed in limited chances on the field.
