Virginia’s Reed should add strength to Chargers’ receiving corps

By Jerry Ratcliffe

There was a glaring gap between the Los Angeles Chargers’ receiving corps heading into the 2020 NFL Draft. There was 8-year veteran Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, in his fourth year out of Clemson.

After that duo, there was a big drop-off. Dontrelle Inman, a former University of Virginia receiver, was the Chargers’ third-best receiver last season and only appeared in four games. The Chargers must like UVA receivers though, signing former Cavalier Darius Jennings in the offseason.

Then along came the latest Wahoo in Joe Reed in Saturday’s NFL Draft. He was selected in the fifth round with the No. 151 overall pick. The Chargers are hoping he will strengthen their receiving corps with his versatility and play-making ability, in addition to his potential as a kickoff return specialist.

“The one thing I like about my game is my size and speed,” Reed said Saturday after being taken by the Chargers. “The combination of both of those things have helped me become a better overall football player. Being able to run fast helps me a lot in returning kickoffs.”

Reed was the recipient of the 2019 Jet Award as the country’s best kick returner, leading the nation with a 33.2 kick-return average. He was also a candidate for the Paul Hornung Award, which honors the most versatile player in the country. Reed also posted 77 receptions for 679 yards and seven touchdowns.

Los Angeles is getting a strong player in Reed, measured at 6-foot, 224 pounds. He was rated the best in the nation last season when it came to being successful in executing the out pattern. He also was superb in piling up yards after the catch.

Chargers media members were curious about all those attributes and what the Virginia star brings to the table.

“I would definitely shift and was in a lot of motions [at UVA],” Reed said. “I would line up in the backfield and behind the tackle, in the slot. I could line up anywhere and go from there.”

LA is looking for a deep-threat pass receiver for quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who replaced longtime Chargers verteran Philip Rivers (now with the Indianapolis Colts) and for newly drafted Oregon QB Justin Herbert (sixth pick overall in this week’s draft).

“I went four years and didn’t drop any deep passes,” Reed said. “If they have that in the [Chargers] system for me, that’s something I’m capable of being — a vertical threat.

“I’m able to break tackles, use my size and speed to my advantage, and creating mismatches.”

Reed said that in his conversations with Chargers coaches, they’ve pointed out they are thinking about a combination of using him out of the backfield, as a receiver, and returning punts and kickoffs.

After participating in the NFL Combine back in February, Reed was thinking he’d like to end up in Los Angeles. He said he has never been out West, having never traveled past Louisiana.

“I’m definitely excited. I told my friends and girlfriend I was trying to go to L.A. I’m definitely ready for a change of scenery and see what it holds for me,” Reed said.

The draft process wasn’t easy going for the explosive Virginia player.

“It became stressful as the rounds progressed,” Reed said. “I’m here with my family and friends. They’ve kept me company. I didn’t get a lot of sleep [Friday] night just thinking about it, but it all worked out.”

Reed and his family spent the last two days at a hotel in Charlottesville.

While he had to wait until the fifth round, he said he was never discouraged because after attending the Combine he realized exactly how strong this class of wide receivers was. Still, Reed believed he could play for any team in the NFL.

When he eventually reports to Los Angeles, he hopes to learn from both Allen and Williams. He has watched some clips of Allen and has been impressed by his skill.

“[Allen and Williams] sound like a deadly combination,” Reed said. “I can’t wait to get there and learn from those guys. I’m glad I’ll be sharing the same [wide receivers] room with them. I want to learn how they see the game, how they slow the game down, learn about their pre-snap reads, things I can learn from those guys and use to my advantage.”

He was asked about being part of the turnaround at Virginia under Bronco Mendenhall. Reed was on Mendenhall’s first team at UVA, a team that went 2-10. In a mere four seasons, the Cavaliers were ACC Coastal Division champions and played in the Orange Bowl against Florida.

“[Mendenhall] did a great job,” Reed said. “It was a matter of buying in by a solid group of players. My class promised each other to leave the program better than we found it. Coach taught us tons of leadership. He’s done a great job of turning that program around and I can’t wait to see the future.”

Reed was asked if beating rival Virginia Tech was the highlight of the season, which brought a smile to the Cavalier receiver’s face.

“I couldn’t leave Charlottesville without beating the Hokies,” he said.

Asked about his personality, Reed didn’t hesitate.

“To be honest, I don’t say too much. I just go out there and play my game.”

So does that mean when he scores his first NFL touchdown, fans shouldn’t be expecting any kind of dance or celebration?

“I’ll just give the ball to the ref or find one of my homeboys on the sideline,” Reed chuckled.