It’s become a pretty common practice for NFL veterans trying to revive their careers to accept invitations to rookie minicamps in order for teams to get a look at them. What’s not common is for those players to be former 1st round picks.
Perhaps the worst 1st round pick in Philadelphia Eagles franchise history — and 1 of the biggest busts in NFL draft history — is doing just that this week with the Cleveland Browns, and Inside the Iggles’ Anthony Miller believes wide receiver Jalen Reagor is “fighting for his career” in the process.
The Eagles selected Reagor at No. 21 overall in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL draft, which was just 1 pick ahead of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and perennial NFL All-Pro Justin Jefferson.
“Most Philadelphia Eagles fans try to erase the memory of former first-round pick Jalen Reagor from their minds after the misery he put fans through,” Miller wrote. “… It was Eagles general manager Howie Roseman’s biggest mistake, but to Reagor’s credit, he is still plugging away at his NFL career. Going into the 2026 OTAs, Reagor is now trying to become a member of the Cleveland Browns. He was seen at the Browns’ rookie minicamp, as he is in for a veteran tryout with the team.”
Jalen Reagor Called ‘Worst Draft Pick of the Century’
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox called the Eagles selecting Reagor over Jefferson the “Worst Draft Pick of the Century” — and it should make fellow NFC teams shudder to think of what would have happened if the Eagles had taken Jefferson.
“Looking to add a No. 1-caliber receiver in 2020, the Eagles used the 21st overall pick on TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor,” Knox wrote. “Even then, it was viewed as a questionable choice, as Reagor was coming off a down year (611 yards) and underwhelmed at the scouting combine with a 4.47-second 40-yard dash. In retrospect, selecting Reagor one spot before the Vikings took LSU receiver Justin Jefferson was a massive mistake. Jefferson has gone on to establish himself as a top-five wideout, if not the best pass-catcher in the league. With 8,480 receiving yards, four Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro nods and one Offensive Player of the Year award in six seasons, Jefferson is on a Hall of Fame trajectory.”
Jalen Reagor’s Miserable Time in Philadelphia
It didn’t take long for the Eagles to realize they had a massive bust with Reagor. It was made all the more stark by Jefferson’s instant success.
As a rookie in 2020, Reagor had 31 receptions for 396 yards and 1 touchdown in 11 games, missing 5 games with a torn thumb ligament. That same season, Jefferson had 88 receptions for 1,400 yards and 7 touchdowns while earning NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the first time.
After 2 seasons in Philadelphia, Reagor was traded to the Vikings, where he had just 8 receptions for 104 yards and 1 touchdown in 2022 and was released before the 2023 season.
Reagor played for the New England Patriots in 2023 and spent 2024 with the Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers, as well as spending 2025 on the practice squad for the Chargers.
In 6 NFL seasons, Reagor has 86 receptions for 1,037 yards and 4 touchdowns in 64 games. In Jefferson’s worst year, in 2023, he had 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and 5 touchdowns in 10 games.
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