Jalen Reagor understands the big picture, and that's why he's been so focused on the little things in his third Eagles Training Camp. He reported to Training Camp in the best shape of his life, and he's been on point in the nuances of the position. The production every day in camp has been high and Reagor has, in the words of Wide Receivers Coach Aaron Moorehead "had a nice camp so far. He's made plays. He's done everything we've asked him to do. He's just got to continue to challenge himself every day to be great on the field, off the field, and continue to take care of himself."
One year after using a first-round draft pick on Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, the Eagles added Zach Pascal in free agency, traded for A.J. Brown during the 2022 NFL Draft weekend, and brought in some non-drafted players they have been impressed with to date in Training Camp.
Where does that leave Reagor, the team's first-round draft pick in 2020 who has 64 receptions for 695 yards and three touchdowns in his two Eagles seasons? It leaves him where he is now – head down, working hard, and staying focused.
"I love a good challenge. It's a humbling experience, 'cause you go from a first-rounder to you're battling," Reagor said on Wednesday following the morning practice at the NovaCare Complex. "But I like challenges, though.
"We've got a helluva room and there is competition in there. Obviously, people have their jobs and some people don't, some people fighting. You've just got to come in and when people go down, you step up and just be ready when it's your time."
Reagor says he is more confident now than at any time in his career "because I just don't worry about nothing." He is going out and playing free and loose, bouncing back from some tough personal losses – a good friend who Reagor said was "like a little brother" was shot and killed a year ago and then Reagor lost his grandmother early this year. In May, Reagor's best friend, former college teammate Jeff Gladney, at the time a cornerback with the Cardinals, died in a car accident.
"I'm putting my head down and going to work, not really worrying about anything," Reagor said about the mindset he had throughout the offseason, even with the tragedies and the emotional turmoil. "I was just focused on myself. I'm here mentally now. It's easy to be out here physically. That's a little part of the game. I've been leaning on my friends and my family, especially my father (former Eagle and NFL defensive tackle Montae Reagor). It could always be worse. People go through worse things. Just knowing that through all that, I can still come and this is my job ...
"Whether I do something good or bad, it's up and down, it doesn't matter. Ultimately on Sunday, I wear the jersey. You've got to go through it to get through it."
That's where Reagor is, understanding that "I have a job to do." He pays tribute to Gladney every time he steps on the field, and then it's all about business and production and trying to make this team and contribute to the Eagles in 2022.
"I'm excited about the room," Moorehead said. "It goes back to the depth we have – it's great. We haven't had this depth in a while."
Reagor is part of that picture and while he may not have the high volume of targets he had in college at TCU, he plans to make the most of every chance he gets. In Year 3, Reagor hopes to take that big next step. He's offered flashes in the first two years, but now the goal is to do it on a daily basis, a weekly basis.
Consistency is key.
"I just have to keep doing it, working hard," Reagor said. "I want to be here for the rest of my career, but it's a business. It's a business of production."
