Former Vikings WR and 2020 First-Round Pick Gets New Deal with Patriots
Josh Frey
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In every NFL Draft, some players become infamous for being high draft picks without a ton of production to show for it.
Sometimes, those players become even more infamous for being selected right before another player who turns into a star. That is exactly what has happened to former Vikings WR Jalen Reagor, the former 2020 first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The receiver has had an underwhelming start to his career while Justin Jefferson, who was selected precisely one pick later by the Vikings, has gone on to become one of the best wide receivers in the entire NFL. Even with some lackluster seasons, Reagor has landed a new one-year deal with the New England Patriots for the 2024 season.
Former Vikings WR Signs with Patriots
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the news on Tuesday, tweeting, “The #Patriots re-signed former #Eagles first-round pick WR Jalen Reagor to a one-year deal worth nearly $1.3 million with $442,500 guaranteed.”
Reagor spent the first two seasons of his NFL career with the Eagles, but he never blossomed into the top wide receiver talent that many in Philadelphia were hoping for. Over those three seasons, he totaled 64 receptions for 695 yards and three touchdowns. He never surpassed 400 yards in a single season.
The receiver was then traded to the Vikings prior to the 2022 season in exchange for a 2023 seventh-round pick and 2024 fifth-round pick. He joined the Vikings as the WR5 while also returning punts. In total, he recorded eight receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown while also returning 26 punts for 167 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per return.
Following that one season with the Vikings, Reagor was cut, and he then headed to the Patriots. However, he lost his punt return duties and was utilized solely as a depth receiver in New England, totaling seven receptions for 138 yards.
Reagor now re-ups with New England, but the Patriots have a bit of a quarterback quandary. They recently traded their former starter Mac Jones to the Jaguars, but they also signed Jacoby Brissett in free agency.
New England currently holds the No. 3 overall pick in this spring’s draft, so perhaps they can take another shot at a quarterback with a top selection.
Currently, New England’s receiving room is made up of JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, Reagor, Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, Kawaan Baker, and T.J. Luther.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.