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Chris Perkins: Dolphins’ WR Jalen Reagor hopes to buck trend, find success as discarded first-round pick
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- Chris Perkins: Dolphins’ WR Jalen Reagor hopes to buck trend, find success as discarded first-round pick
MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins wide receiver Jalen Reagor , Philadelphia 's 2020 first-round pick, had a nice catch in a red-zone 11-on-11 drill during Thursday's minicamp practice. Here's hoping the moment is trend-setting, but history raises reason for doubt.
There's a NFL assembly line of discarded former first-round picks that seeks to fit square pegs into round holes. Sometimes it works, usually it doesn't.
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Reagor, signed by Miami on Tuesday, is the Dolphins' latest attempt at a good fit.
Reagor was selected 21st in 2020 — one pick ahead of Vikings All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson — and has bounced around among Philadelphia, Minnesota , New England and the Los Angeles Chargers . Now, he has a chance to be impactful on an unproven Dolphins wide receiver crew. He has modest career statistics — 86 receptions for 1,037 yards and four touchdowns 64 games with 27 starts.
But, as the thinking goes with all of the discarded first-round picks, this change could be what he needs to jump-start his career. As the thinking further goes, perhaps the Dolphins will get a steal.
"Obviously talented player, there's a reason he was a first-round pick," coach Jeff Hafley said. "It's just good to get more fresh legs in here, but I think kicking the tires on players who have had success, I think that's awesome that Sully (general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan) is doing that. We'll give him a shot and see what he can do."
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It should be noted that there's a difference between useful first-round picks that were cut for injury or financial reasons, such as linebacker Jordyn Brooks ( Seattle 2020; Dolphins 2024), who sustained a serious knee injury late in 2022, and underperforming first-round picks that have been discarded.
The Dolphins, such as all NFL teams, have experimented with the latter frequently.
Starting in 2019, the list includes, but isn't limited to, defensive linemen Taco Charlton ( Dallas first-round pick in 2017; signed with Dolphins in 2019) and Robert Nkemdiche ( Arizona 2016; Dolphins 2019), edge rusher Robert Quinn (St. Louis 2011; Dolphins 2018), linebacker Stephone Anthony ( New Orleans 2015; Dolphins 2017-18), defensive end Sylvester Williams ( Denver 2013; Dolphins 2018), offensive tackles Cedric Ogbuehi ( Cincinnati 2015; Dolphins 2023) and, last season, German Ifedi (Seattle 2016; Dolphins 2025), and guard Cole Strange (New England 2022; Dolphins 2025).
Quinn (6.5 sacks in 16 games) and Strange (14 starts) were the most productive players on that list.
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The others made a modest contribution, at best.
Seattle cornerback Noah Igbinoghene , a Dolphins first-round pick in 2020, is riding that discarded first-round pick merry-go-round.
Igbinoghene has played for Miami (2020-22), Dallas (2023), Washington (2024-25) and, now, Seattle. He has 17 starts in 69 games to go along with 119 tackles and one interception.
Fans and media have low expectations for the Dolphins' wide receivers. After parting ways with stars Tyreek Hill (injury, age and salary) and Jaylen Waddle (traded to Denver) in the offseason, Miami knew it would have a skeleton crew for 2026.
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When quarterback Malik Willis , a first-year starter, drops back to pass to a wide receiver his options are limited primarily among Malik Washington , the third-year player who has been the top performer in offseason practices the media has been allowed to watch, Jalen Tolbert , a four-year veteran who is trying to revive his career, Caleb Douglas, the rookie third-round pick from Texas Tech, and speedy Tutu Atwell , the five-year veteran and Miami native who is seeking a major role in the offense.
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There's a chance that Reagor, whose best season was 2021 when he recorded 33 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns, plays an impactful role with the Dolphins.
There's a chance that Reagor, whose scouting report for the 2020 draft said his focus and competitiveness "seemed spotty at times" but also said he is a "smooth athlete with blazing speed who has more playmaking talent than receiver skill," finds his footing with the Dolphins and becomes a contributor along the lines of Strange or Quinn.
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It'd be a nice story. And it'd be nice to see another discarded first-round pick re-discover some of the magic that got him drafted so highly.
