Rookie wide receiver is exactly what the Packers needed and hoped for

We will evaluate every Green Bay Packers rookie in 2023. Draft picks, undrafted free agents, players acquired through other avenues.

Overview

Sterling Sharpe deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and Packers fans know how greater he would have been if not for a career-ending injury. Until 2023, he had the franchise record for receptions among rookies, 55. Jayden Reed destroyed that record. The second-round receiver caught 64 passes in 2023, with 94 targets, an indication of how impactful he can be.

Reed finished his first NFL season with 793 receiving yards, the third most by a rookie in Packers history and the most since 1978. Sure enough, the fact that the Packers invested so much in young weapons and gave them playing time helped, but Reed exceeded expectations right away.

The slot receiver led the team in receiving yards, big receptions, yards per game, and yards after the catch, and was also tied for first in receiving touchdowns.

His versatility is a calling card. Besides the 793 receiving yards, he had 119 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He is the first rookie in Packers history to have at least 500 receiving and at least 100 rushing yards.

Snap counts and stats

52.74% offensive snaps, 9.79% special teams snaps

64 receptions, 793 yards, 8 touchdowns, 123.1 passer rating when targeted, 119 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns

PFF grades

Offensive grade: 75.1

Receiving grade: 76.0

Drop grade: 79.6

Fumble grade: 87.4

Pass block grade: 62.4

Best game: vs Minnesota Vikings, week 17 (92.7)

Worst game: vs Las Vegas Raiders, week 5 (51.5)

Big plays

Two of the best Jordan Love plays in 2023 are also big-time Jayden Reed plays. The first one was against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Love moved out of the pocket and made a great throw on the move. Reed showed his awareness to put both feet in and made a difficult touchdown catch.