Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft Preview: Josh Reynolds
By Jeremy Meek
Wide receiver Josh Reynolds could be a mid-round draft pick that excels in the NFL
When the Arizona Cardinals assemble their draft board, they are sure to have wide receiver noted as a need. They might not have it as their biggest need, but they certainly need help there. Larry Fitzgerald is set to retire, and there’s no real replacement for him. It’s imperative that they get one, and if they can get him in the middle rounds, it’s so much the better.
Josh Reynolds, formerly of Texas A&M University, is a guy that NFL teams will be keeping an eye on. Though, he’s being projected as late as round four by some analysts, he could wind up making a big impact.
Reynolds has a special combination of length and athleticism. He stands 6’3″, which is nice, but adds 4.5 speed and a nearly 40-inch vertical leap to go with it. His college production shows just how effectively he used it. He never had less than 50 catches in his three seasons with the Aggies. He was extremely effective in the red zone, and had 30 college touchdown receptions.
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Down the field is where Reynolds really excels. He has tremendous speed when he needs it, and he knows how to go and get the ball. He tracks it as well as any receiver in this year’s draft, and makes the difficult catches look easy. His knack for acrobatic catches comes in especially handy in the endzone.
A thin body will likely be a sticking point for many teams. Some could consider him a deep threat only, which would limit his draft stock. His lack of strength could make him a target for press coverages, to keep him from utilizing his speed down the field.
Reynolds is an amazing talent, and could be a difference maker in an offense that knows how to use him. The Cardinals love to get the ball deep, which certainly plays to his strengths. If Arizona chooses to address a position other than receiver early, and if Reynolds falls to round three, he seems to be an ideal pick.