Former Georgia Bulldogs star defensive back J.R. Reed has made Los Angeles Rams roster.
Former Georgia Bulldogs star defensive back J.R. Reed has made Los Angeles Rams roster. Reed, a second-year safety, played in seven games for the Rams last season. He recorded a pair of tackles and played in the playoffs.
J.R. Reed will look to have a larger role for Los Angeles in 2021. For now, he is happy to make the Rams roster again.
Former UGA safety J.R. Reed did not get picked in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the moments following the draft. The Jaguars eventually cut Reed before the season. Later, he ended up in Los Angeles.
Georgia Bulldogs defensive back J.R. Reed is on one of the top defenses in the NFL. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
J.R. Reed was impressive at Georgia, but his injury history and lack of top-level athleticism contributed to him going undrafted.
In 2021, J.R. Reed is expected to have a special teams role for the Rams. He is a backup at safety behind projected starters Taylor Rapp and Jordan Fuller. The Rams don’t play many starters during the preseason.
While the Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t had the best luck with making draft selections since general manager Dave Caldwell was hired, they’ve certainly had better luck than others when it comes to undrafted gems. Names like Allen Hurns, Allen Lazard …
While the Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t had the best luck with making draft selections since general manager Dave Caldwell was hired, they’ve certainly had better luck than others when it comes to undrafted gems. Names like Allen Hurns, Allen Lazard (temporarily), Keelan Cole, and Tre Herndon are some of the more recent names who come to mind, all of whom have helped the Jags in a big way (aside from Lazard).
With the Jags needing to improve upon a six-win season last year, many will be hoping to land a gem or two from the team’s 2020 undrafted crop of players, which consists of some interesting names. According to Rotoworld’s Thor Nystrom, the Jags may just have some players who can continue the trend of contributing via the final roster as he ranked the Jags’ undrafted class sixth in the league. He also singled out two members of the group specifically in cornerback Luq Barcoo and running back James Robinson.
If you’re looking for this year’s Philip Lindsay candidate, the leading contender in the clubhouse right now has to be James Robinson. How did this kid not get drafted?! Uber-productive in the FCS, the compact, hard-charging Robinson proved in Indy that athletically everything in the profile checks out except long speed. And his well-rounded game includes plenty of experience in the receiving game. If Robinson hits, you have a potential low-end three-down option. We know Ryquell Armstead can’t catch. So if Leonard Fournette is traded, Robinson not only looks like a good bet to make the team, but a strong bet to carve out, at minimum, a situational role as a rookie.
I also loved the CB Luq Barcoo signing. Jacksonville must have had furious competition for him, as they gave Barcoo a UDFA record $180,000 in guarantees. Ironically, that was better than Barcoo would have gotten had he been picked in Rounds 6 or 7. Barcoo exploded last season for the San Diego State Aztecs, with nine interceptions and 16 pass breakups to earn Thorpe Award semifinalist honors and a third-team All-American nod. He’s a bit spindly, but you have to love the length and ball skills. And although we didn’t get to see him test, Barcoo is reportedly a strong athlete. He’s raw, sure. But this is the kind of kid you want to take a flier on in the UDFA sweepstakes.
I agree with his analysis of both players for the most part as both were projected to make the team in my super-early final 53-man roster predictions. Robinson’s production on the FCS level was especially intriguing as he finished his career with Illinois State with 4,444 total rushing yards and 44 touchdowns. While the competition he faced didn’t compare to others, he still was impressive enough to get a shot as a sixth or seventh-round pick.
As for Barcoo, there isn’t a reason why he shouldn’t be able to make the team as a CB4 if he plays to his potential. At 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, he will have to add some weight to his frame but the length is evident (measured in with 32-inch arms). He has good reaction to defenders and great athleticism, too, which are two traits that can take a cornerback a long way.
Georgia safety J.R. Reed is another notable who we projected to make the final roster, too, but wasn’t mentioned by Nystrom. He was a leader for an elite defense with the Bulldogs who was rarely out of place and made crucial plays when crunch time came.
When adding in the potential of Robinson, Barcoo, and Reed plus the contributions the Jags could get from their 12 rookie selections, this could be a draft class that gets the Jags going in the right direction. With the staff emphasizing getting younger, it wouldn’t be shocking to see a handful of rookies starting for the team and one may even be an undrafted player.
The Jags are going to need a lot of production out of their rookie class and will even need some of them to overachieve to make the playoffs.
With the 2020 NFL Draft being over for several weeks, we’ve had some time to soak in the rookie class the Jacksonville Jaguars were able to put together. After fixing things in terms of the salary cap, the team wisely made all 12 of their draft selections which could give them a solid nucleus if a majority of their picks pay off.
Needless to say, with Dave Caldwell’s and Doug Marrone’s jobs potentially being on the line, they will need their 2020 class to produce immediately just as their 2019 class did. That said, we came up with four bold predictions for the class (including some for their undrafted players, too) as they have the talent to be big contributors for the franchise if there is football this season.
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
C.J. Henderson acquires more picks than Jeff Okudah
Many scouts felt that C.J. Henderson was a better athlete than Jeff Okudah, though Okudah was clearly a better overall player. The comparison between the two will continue into their NFL careers as both were top-10 selections at the cornerback position.
When looking at the Jags’ schedule (ranked 22nd), it’s significantly easier than that Okudah will face as a rookie with the Detroit Lions (ranked fifth). It’s easy to see why as he’ll be tested early in his career facing receivers Davante Adams, Allen Robinson, and Adam Thielen twice in 2020 and will have to deal with the elite receivers from the NFC South in Julio Jones, Mike Evans, and Michael Thomas.
Meanwhile, Henderson could face up to two rookie quarterbacks in Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Joe Burrow. He’ll also have Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson wreacking havoc in the trenches and presenting him ample opportunities to snag some picks during his rookie season.
When the 2020 season is over, I could see Henderson snagging approximately four picks while Okudah may be off by one or two due to the experienced quarterbacks and receivers he’ll face.
While Gardner Minshew didn’t get any immediate starters on the offensive line, he did get some threats at receiver to help him in 2020.
With every draft class comes the potential of veterans being replaced by younger and cheaper options. That applies for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the class they brought in last month, which consisted of a whopping 12 draft picks. Add in the fact that the team added 18 undrafted players, and it appears Dave Caldwell could be looking to make the team super young.
That being said, there were some players on the roster who benefitted from the moves made in the draft while others, unfortunately, didn’t.
Here’s our list of winners and losers from the annual event:
Winners
(Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
OT Cam Robinson
Many fans were hoping the Jags drafted an offensive tackle or guard early to help upgrade the line, but that did not happen. In fact, with the offensive tackle class being talented at the top, the Jags elected to pass on names like Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs, and Jedrick Wills, all of whom were thought to be top-15 prospects grade-wise.
This is huge for Cam Robinson as he will now get to return to the starting lineup and protect Minshew’s blindside. While his play has been sporadic, there is a chance he’ll improve in 2020, especially when considering he’ll be further removed from his ACL tear from 2018. That said, like Minshew, 2020 is a year for Robinson to be a permanent starter as he’ll be playing on the last year of his rookie contract.
It’s been a long time coming but the 2020 NFL Draft has finally come and gone. In the process the Jacksonville Jaguars used all of their 12 selections which means they probably won’t be as active as far as undrafted free agency goes. Still, there …
It’s been a long time coming but the 2020 NFL Draft has finally come and gone. In the process the Jacksonville Jaguars used all of their 12 selections which means they probably won’t be as active as far as undrafted free agency goes.
Still, there could be some gems to be found during the undrafted process which is how the Jags found players like receiver Keelan Cole, cornerback Tre Herndon, and safety Jarrod Wilson. With the Jags looking to start a new youth movement and build a better nucleus the 2020 roster may end up having a few undrafted rookies on it, too.
After searching the web, here are some of the updrafted rookies the Jags have been able to come to terms with from the 2020 class:
(*Note: We’ll be updating this over the next few days)
Josh Hammond, WR, Florida
Gators WR Josh Hammond signing with the Jaguars as an UDFA. Great fit for him
Check out this new, four-round 2020 NFL mock draft for the Broncos.
In his latest four-round 2020 NFL mock draft for Draft Wire, Luke Easterling has the Denver Broncos selecting Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III with the 15th overall pick in the first round.
After landing a speedy receiver in the first round, Easterling has the Broncos going on to select Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (No. 46) in the second round and La. Tech cornerback Amik Robertson (No. 77), Louisiana offensive tackle Robert Hunt (No. 83) and Wyoming linebacker Logan Wilson (No. 95) in the third round.
In the fourth round of Draft Wire’s pick, Denver lands Georgia safety J.R. Reed (No. 118), giving the team a new WR, DL, CB, OT, LB and S in the first four rounds of the draft, which would be a pretty good haul.
A new wrinkle to the story was recently added when Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reported that Minnesota is in discussions with Harris over a long-term deal. But a long-term deal has yet to be official.
The Vikings are also still talking to safeties in the 2020 NFL Draft. Georgia defensive back J.R. Reed told Tomasson that he has spoken to the Vikings during the draft process.
Georgia safety J.R. Reed, son of former #Vikings star receiver Jake Reed, said he has talked to the Vikings during the draft process, including a phone interview with director of scouting Jamaal Stephenson. He also had an interview with the Vikings at the combine.
Reed is the son of former Minnesota wide receiver Jake Reed. In 2019, the son was one of three finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the award for the nation’s top defensive back. He had seven pass breakups and one interception in his final collegiate season.
The Jags need help in the trenches and could bolster both units with 12 selections in the upcoming draft.
With the most important part of free agency over, all of the league’s 32 teams likely have their draft boards set and a plan in place of what direction they will go in with their selections.
In the Jacksonville Jaguars’ case, it’s likely suiting up to be the most interesting selection process in team history as they have 12 draft selections. While they’ve addressed several needs in free agency with the addition of players like linebacker Joe Schobert, defensive lineman Rodney Gunter, and tight end Tyler Eifert (if healthy), there are still plenty of holes to fill within the roster.
It’s going to get crazy within the top-8 selections and a very good player will fall to the Jags. In this case, it was Auburn’s Derrick Brown who would bolster the team’s presence in the middle.
At 6-foot-5, 326-pounds, he can be a space-eating nose tackle for them in the middle or provide them with a push in the interior when a pass-rush is needed. Most feel he’s an elite prospect and it’s hard to envision the Jags not thinking the same.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Georgia safety prospect J.R. Reed
Some of the best players in the NFL were once mid-level high school recruits who had to claw their way up the football ladder to prove themselves.
Georgia safety J.R. Reed is no stranger to that process, and he’s ready to keep climbing on his way to pro success.
The son of a 12-year NFL veteran, Reed recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about the lessons his dad passed on, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and what kind of impact he’ll make at the next level.
JM: Your father, Jake, played 12 seasons in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings. What’s the biggest lesson he’s ever taught you?
JR: The biggest lesson he ever taught me was to always be a pro. You don’t start being a pro when you get to the NFL. You start the process much earlier than that. That’s one of the things that I always took with me. I’ve always prepared and practiced like a pro. I conduct myself professionally off the field as well. I’ve always had a pro mindset.
JM: You were first-team All-SEC this past season, and you were a permanent team captain, as well. What did that mean to you, and what does it say about your leadership abilities?
JR: It meant a lot to me. I played on a historic defense at Georgia this past season and I was voted as a permanent team captain by my peers. It was a great honor. The All-SEC 1st Team was also very humbling. There are so many great players coming out of the SEC. To earn the coaches votes for that, it just meant a lot to me.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
JR: It was a great experience. They definitely try to put a lot of stress on you. I just went out there and enjoyed it. I took things one day at a time. I walked around with a smile on my face. I had a lot of fun. I just love to talk ball. I enjoyed getting out there and showing everyone what I’m all about.
JM: You ran a 4.54 in the 40-yard dash, which was a great time for you. What do you think is the overall impression you left out there?
JR: I think I checked all of the boxes. I surprised a lot of people, especially with my 40 time. My vertical went well, my arm measurements were a great result. I answered all of the questions people had on me. I showed a lot of people that I move very well for a safety. I definitely felt like I looked the smoothest athlete out of all the safeties in attendance.
JM: Did you have a lot of formal or informal meetings?
JR: I had a lot of informals. I didn’t have any formals. I probably met with every team informally, though.
JM: Do you have any upcoming private visits or workouts, or is everything going down after the pro day?
JR: Our pro day is March 18th. I’m scheduled to meet with the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. That’s just so far. The Giants will be meeting with me down here in Athens, Georgia. I’m going to Atlanta to meet the Falcons.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What was the strangest question a team asked you at the combine?
JR: I didn’t really get any strange questions. I do remember a couple of things that stood out to me during the psychological testing portion. One of the questions asked, “Why does food need to be cooked?” I thought that was pretty weird.
JM: How do you even answer that?
JR: I said that in order to consume it, we need to cook it to kill the germs and all of the bacteria. That’s the gist of my answer. When they asked me that, I was truly blown away. I chucked it a little bit.
JM: Playing at Georgia afforded you the opportunity to play against the best competition college football had to offer. Who are some of the best guys you’ve had to play against?
JR: Going against Alabama always sticks out. We played them twice and that was really big. I played in the Rose Bowl against Baker Mayfield. Going up against all of those Heisman guys is always tough. We had some big battles with the tight ends from Mizzou, Vanderbilt and Notre Dame. I remember playing against Hayden Hurst when he was still in college. I’ve played against so many great players.
JM: You’ve had so many great teammates, but if you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would you bring and why?
JR: I would bring my man Solomon Kindley with me. We’re very similar. He came in as a three-star recruit and he was red-shirted. I’ve watched him grind his way all the way to the top. He’s worked hard to become the man that he is today. He’s a great leader both on and off the field.
JM: When a team uses one of their draft picks on J.R. Reed, what kind of guy are they getting?
JR: They’re gonna get a leader, on and off the field. They’re gonna get a versatile safety that can play multiple positions. I can come down in the box, I can play in the middle of the field and I can cover the tight end or anybody really. They’re gonna get a franchise safety. The term franchise gets thrown around a lot with the quarterbacks. Just like the franchise quarterback is supposed to be around for a long time, I’m a franchise safety that’s gonna be around for a long time.
In his final appearance before media members at the NFL Combine, J.R. Reed took time to acknowledge the impact of his Georgia teammates.
In his final appearance before media members at the NFL Scouting Combine, Georgia’s J.R. Reed took time to acknowledge the impact his Bulldog teammates imposed upon him.
“It’s amazing, man. I miss my defensive teammates. I think some of them need to be here.”
Georgia fans could argue that there are several spurned Bulldogs who deserved an invitation. One former letterman took to Twitter to protest Tyler Clark’s omission from the Combine’s list of participants.
Continuing his praise, Reed proceeded:
“Seeing my offensive guys and seeing the guys I came up with and played with for a while…seeing those guys go out there to do well and perform, man, it means a lot.”
As a do-it-all safety who had to defend against that offense in months’ worth of inter-team practices, Reed then fielded questions on his perception of the future of Georgia’s offense.
“We’re definitely gonna run the ball, I can tell you that. Now, everything else? I don’t know anything about that.”
Further denying any inside information, the projected draft pick answered again:
“I haven’t really been back [in Athens] to get into details about the offense, but I can tell you we’re going to run the ball.”
