Jalen Wayne Complete NFL Draft Profile (Reggie Wayne's Cousin Could Follow in His Footsteps)

South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Wayne is headed to the 2023 NFL Draft after a standout 2022 season. Following an explosive year and touting NFL bloodlines, Wayne is hoping to hear his name called at the end of April.

Here's everything you need to know about Jalen Wayne heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.

Is Jalen Wayne Related to Reggie Wayne?

Jalen Wayne is an intriguing NFL Draft prospect aside from his talent. He also is second cousins with NFL legend Reggie Wayne, who played his entire 14-year career with the Indianapolis Colts and won a Super Bowl ring in 2007. However, Jalen admitted Reggie is more like an uncle and father figure to him. Reggie has even helped Jalen prepare for the jump to the pros.

Jalen Wayne Draft Stock & Mock Draft Projections

Mock draft sources accurate as of 4/24 NFL.com, ESPN, CBS, Walter Football, Sporting News.

Projected Draft Round: Undrafted (4), Round 7 (1)
Projected Team: Raiders (1)

Jalen Wayne Scouting Report

Jalen Wayne is one of the draft's most seasoned prospects after spending six years at South Alabama. The wideout's collegiate career took off over his final three seasons, though, as he improved his personal highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns during each campaign.

That culminated in Wayne breaking out in 2022 with 58 receptions, 816 yards and 9 touchdowns. He showcased excellent contested catch skills with the Jaguars, using his nice frame (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) to regularly high point the ball over opposing defenders.

Wayne will have to overcome some deficiencies to excel in the pros, though. He didn't face top-end competition in the Sun Belt, and scouts would've liked to see more production against that level of opponents. Wayne's also lacking top-end speed, which chould pose a problem in creating space against pros.

Jalen Wayne NFL Draft Prediction

After flashing potential in 2022, Wayne will have some teams interested as a late-round flyer. Throw in the fact he's related to a famous wideout, and it'll be hard for organizations to avoid taking a dart throw on Day 3.

The Green Bay Packers have some seventh-round draft capital to spend and a need at wide receiver. Green Bay is adopting a youth movement with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs set to lead its WR room, while 2022 seventh-round pick Samori Toure is the only other notable name on the depth chart. Wayne would give new quarterback Jordan Love a nice-sized possession receiver to build chemistry with in his first year as starter.

Green Bay could nab the South Alabama product with one of the final picks on the entire draft at No. 256.

Prediction: Green Bay Packers (Round 7, 256th overall)

Check out more NFL Draft content from The Duel:

Jalen Wayne NFL Combine Results

Jalen Wayne South Alabama Stats

Jalen Wayne South Alabama Highlights

Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

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