Prop Bet of the Day: A productive rookie year for Jalen Reagor

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Jalen Reagor OVER 650.5 receiving yards (-110, SugarHouse)

I usually don’t get involved with rookie props — especially wide receivers — but I like this total and there’s a real opportunity for Reagor to succeed in Philadelphia in his first season. And no, this isn’t because Reagor has Julio Jones-level explosiveness, according to his quarterback Carson Wentz — although that helps. 

Wentz is fresh off becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in a season without having a 500-yard wide receiver. That’s right, Wentz had absolutely nothing to work with in the passing game in 2019 and he still finished top 10 in passing yards. It’s very possible Reagor becomes Wentz’s No. 1 target at wide receiver, No. 2 overall behind tight end Zach Ertz. 

Alshon Jeffery (foot) remains without a timetable to return to practice and he’s currently on the PUP list, which would rule him out for the first six weeks of the season if he’s not removed before Week 1. It’s safe to say he’s in danger of being inactive for Philly’s first game of 2020 against Washington. Jeffery missed six games last season (nine in the last two seasons), and he had a career-low 11.4 yards per catch. He never really was a burner, but he looked noticeably slow in 2019. 

Then there’s DeSean Jackson, who was active for three games last year but really only played in the first game of the season. That’s nothing new, as Jackson only has two full seasons on his resume (2008 and 2013). It was a great first game, mind you (8 receptions for 154 and 2 touchdowns), and it gave us a glimpse of what Wentz could do with a burner who can stretch the field, which he’s never really had at his disposal. 

The Eagles addressed the wide receiver position at the draft by selecting Reagor, John Hightower and Quez Watkins. They also traded for Marquise Goodwin, but then he decided to opt out of the season. That’s good news for Reagor, who has been practicing on the outside with Jackson and gaining chemistry with Wentz. The message was clear; get Wentz some speedy weapons in the passing game.

Reagor racked up 1,601 yards on 72 grabs (14.7 YPC) and he scored nine touchdowns in his sophomore season at TCU. He took a massive step back in 2019 as he only had 611 yards on 43 grabs with just five touchdowns. I don’t think we can put the blame on him, though, as his QB play was pretty poor. 

Good thing for Reagor, as Wentz has a 64% completion percentage for his career and he enters with an 81:21 TD:INT ratio over his last three seasons. In fact, Wentz is the only QB in NFL history to have 20-plus TD passes and 7 or fewer INTs in three consecutive seasons. He has 72 touchdowns to just two picks in the red zone over the course of his career as well. 

Reagor won’t be a big player in the red zone, but he’s a rookie I see averaging 6-7 targets per game immediately. His route-running and downfield presence has been on full display throughout camp. Getting the ball in Reagor’s hands in space and using him down the field will go a long way in him hitting his 650-yard prop total. It’s his speed that made him the 21st overall pick in the 2020 draft and I don’t think it’s a selection the Eagles will regret. I also don’t think it’s a prop you’ll regret betting on.