Forever connected thanks to the 2020 NFL Draft, New England Patriots wide receiver Jalen Reagor earned more AP All-Pro votes on Friday than Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson.
Former #Eagles first-round pick Jalen Reagor got more AP All-Pro votes than Justin Jefferson this season. Reagor got 1 second-team vote at kick returner. He had one TD return for the #Patriots
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) January 12, 2024
Of course, the Vikings superstar missed seven games during the 2023 season due to a hamstring injury, severely limiting his chances of earning a second straight All-Pro honor. Jefferson was still dominant when he was able to take the field, racking up over 1,000 receiving yards (1,074) for the fourth consecutive season to begin his career on 68 catches and five touchdowns as well.
Reagor first signed to the Patriots practice squad in early September and played in 11 games for the team. Reagor finished the season with just seven receptions for 138 scoreless yards on 24 targets, but made an impact on special teams, taking seven kick returns for 221 yards.
Almost half of his return yardage came on a 98-yard touchdown in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills on the first play of the contest.
Philadelphia Eagles fans know the Jefferson-Reagor connection best, as general manager Howie Roseman infamously selected the TCU product with the 21st overall pick in 2020, just one spot ahead of where Jefferson was taken by Minnesota.
In four seasons since then, Reagor has only 79 receptions for 937 yards and four touchdowns across 56 games. Jefferson's not only surpassed Reagor's career receiving yardage in each individual season of his, but he's posted 392 catches and 30 touchdowns as well.
The former LSU Tiger made three straight Pro Bowls up until his injury-riddled 2023 season and won the 2022 AP Offensive Player of the Year award. Jefferson led the NFL in both receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809) during his award-winning campaign.
At least for one day, Reagor can hold this positive distinction (however minor) over Jefferson.
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