Why Jalen Reagor isn’t at the top of the list of the Eagles’ nine worst draft blunders since 2020

For Philadelphia Eagles fans, the mere mention of Jalen Reagor’s name stirs up a mixture of frustration and “what-if” angst. Taken 21st overall in the 2020 NFL Draft—just one pick before Justin Jefferson—Reagor has become the poster child for the Eagles’ recent draft misfires. It’s easy to single him out as the franchise’s worst decision in recent memory, especially given Jefferson’s rise as arguably the NFL’s premier wide receiver. But to truly understand the Eagles’ draft issues since 2020, we have to dig deeper. Because, as painful as the Reagor pick was, there’s a compelling case that it wasn’t the worst move they’ve made.

Let’s break down the nine worst draft blunders by the Eagles since 2020—and why Reagor, surprisingly, doesn’t top the list.

1. Davion Taylor (3rd Round, 2020) – The Reach Nobody Talks About

Davion Taylor is the embodiment of raw athleticism over refined skill. A linebacker out of Colorado, Taylor barely saw the field in college due to his family’s religious beliefs preventing him from playing high school football. The Eagles bet on his athletic upside, taking him in the third round.

The result? Taylor played in just 21 games across three seasons, recording 51 tackles before being waived. He was consistently out of position and struggled to grasp NFL schemes. While Reagor has at least stuck around as a depth receiver and returner, Taylor flamed out without ever flashing potential.

Verdict: Reagor wasn’t a good pick—but at least he had college production. Taylor was a pure projection pick that never came close to panning out.

2. Jalen Reagor (1st Round, 2020) – The Jefferson Shadow

Let’s be clear: the Reagor pick was bad. The fact that he was taken ahead of Justin Jefferson—a future All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year candidate—makes it one of the most glaring draft mistakes in NFL history.

Reagor’s inability to create separation, dropped passes, and inconsistent effort made him a liability in Philadelphia. He was eventually traded to the Vikings, where he also failed to impress, and now floats as a fringe player elsewhere.

Still, the mistake was more about who came next than Reagor himself. In a vacuum, drafting a speedy receiver with college production in the late first round isn’t malpractice. The scouting error was failing to recognize Jefferson’s versatility and polish. That makes it a bad miss, but not an indefensible one compared to others.

3. K’Von Wallace (4th Round, 2020) – The Next Dawg Who Wasn’t

When the Eagles picked K’Von Wallace from Clemson, the hype was real. He came from a winning program, played with swagger, and was billed as a versatile safety/nickel hybrid.

But Wallace never turned the corner. He spent four seasons with the team and never claimed a consistent role in the secondary, regularly getting beat in coverage and showing limited playmaking instincts. Despite multiple openings in the defensive backfield, Wallace couldn’t seize the opportunity.

In a year where safeties like Kamren Curl (7th round, Washington) emerged as steals, Wallace was a miss with little upside shown.

4. Jack Driscoll (4th Round, 2020) – Solid Start, Rapid Decline

Driscoll started off as a decent depth offensive lineman, filling in at right tackle and guard with flashes of competence. But durability issues and poor development have caused his stock to crash. Once viewed as a potential long-term sixth man on the line, Driscoll is now a borderline roster cut.

In a franchise known for producing quality offensive linemen, Driscoll has underwhelmed. While not a disaster, his regression adds to the underwhelming 2020 class.

5. Zech McPhearson (4th Round, 2021) – Invisible in a Needy Secondary

The Eagles have been in search of long-term answers at cornerback for years. Zech McPhearson was drafted to address that need. Two years later, he has yet to crack the rotation in any meaningful way.

McPhearson has mostly contributed on special teams, but hasn’t flashed any starting-caliber ability. In a deep CB class, the Eagles missed on finding a hidden gem. When you can’t find value on Day 3 at premium positions, your depth chart starts to erode.

6. Milton Williams (3rd Round, 2021) – Meh in the Middle

Milton Williams isn’t a bust—he’s just a “meh” pick on a team that had higher aspirations for his role. Billed as an Aaron Donald-lite due to his frame and quickness, Williams has settled in as a rotational defensive tackle with modest production.

He plays hard, but he’s not a difference-maker, and he was drafted to be more than just depth. With Javon Hargrave now gone and Fletcher Cox retired, Williams has not stepped up the way the team hoped.

7. Grant Calcaterra (6th Round, 2022) – The Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off

The Eagles tried to hit a home run on a tight end with serious medical red flags. Grant Calcaterra retired from football in college due to concussions before returning to play at SMU. Philly took a flier in the sixth round.

He’s flashed athleticism but hasn’t stayed healthy or become a viable TE2 behind Dallas Goedert. With Goedert missing games recently, the Eagles needed Calcaterra to step up—and he hasn’t.

8. Nakobe Dean (3rd Round, 2022) – Can’t Stay on the Field

Dean was hailed as the steal of the 2022 draft after slipping due to injury concerns. The former Georgia Bulldog linebacker was the heart and soul of a dominant defense and a projected first-round talent.

But so far, Dean has been more myth than substance. He’s dealt with multiple injuries and hasn’t played enough to establish any kind of rhythm or leadership role. While the pick had upside, the durability concerns that caused him to fall are proving valid.

9. Jalen Carter (1st Round, 2023) – A Blunder? Not Yet. But…

Yes, this is controversial. Jalen Carter showed dominant flashes in his rookie year and still has sky-high potential. But the Eagles traded up to draft him despite known character concerns and conditioning issues.

He hit a rookie wall mid-season, struggled with stamina, and drew criticism from inside the locker room, according to some reports. While he’s clearly talented, the concern is whether he has the mental makeup to become a consistent star.

Carter isn’t a blunder yet—but if things trend in the wrong direction, we might look back and question the decision to trade up for him.

Why Reagor Isn’t #1

Now that we’ve taken stock of the Eagles’ biggest misses since 2020, here’s why Reagor—despite the endless memes—doesn’t top the list:

1. He actually contributed, albeit inconsistently. Reagor had 64 catches and over 600 yards across two seasons in Philly. It wasn’t good, but he was on the field and scored some touchdowns. Contrast that with players like Davion Taylor or K’Von Wallace, who never looked NFL-ready.
2. The evaluation wasn’t outrageous at the time. Reagor had legitimate speed, punt return upside, and had shown the ability to stretch the field. Yes, Jefferson was better. But some scouts questioned Jefferson’s ability to play outside (a ridiculous concern in hindsight, but still notable).
3. Reagor’s failure was more about development. The Eagles’ offensive scheme in 2020–2021 did him no favors. Carson Wentz was imploding, the line was in flux, and the coaching staff couldn’t get the most out of any wideouts. He flopped—but he wasn’t set up to thrive.
4. He was eventually traded, recouping some value. The Eagles got a conditional pick from the Vikings. Not much, but better than letting a player walk for nothing.

The Silver Lining: Howie Roseman’s Redemption Arc

In fairness to GM Howie Roseman, the past couple of drafts have been much stronger. Devonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter (if he stays on track) are all contributors or stars. Even 2024 picks like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean show the team has learned from past errors.

The Reagor pick was a major blemish, no doubt. But it served as a wake-up call. The Eagles revamped their scouting process, leaned into production over traits, and focused on locker room fit. That shift may be the best thing to come out of the Reagor debacle.

Jalen Reagor’s name will forever be linked with Justin Jefferson, and that alone will keep him in the conversation as one of the Eagles’ most painful draft whiffs. But in the broader context of Philadelphia’s recent drafting history, he doesn’t sit alone atop the mountain of mistakes.

Players like Davion Taylor and K’Von Wallace failed to even contribute at a replacement level. Others, like Nakobe Dean and Zech McPhearson, have been plagued by injuries or underwhelming play. And the jury is still out on players like Jalen Carter and Milton Williams.

So while Reagor will remain a symbol of missed opportunity, he wasn’t the worst draft blunder the Eagles have made since 2020. Just the most unforgettable.