The Packers signed free agent defensive end Jarran Reed to a one-year contract on Tuesday. The 29-year-old had 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks for Kansas City last season and is projected to start alongside Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry in Green Bay.
So what are the Packers getting in the former second-round pick from Alabama? The following is an in-depth scouting report:
BACKGROUND
Reed was originally drafted by Seattle in 2016 and spent the first five years of his career in the Great Northwest. He was signed as a free agent by Kansas City last March following an abrupt release by the Seahawks. The move was a surprise and came after the two sides couldn’t agree on a reworked contract. Reed’s best season was 2018, when he had 34 unassisted tackles and a career-high 10.5 sacks. He’s played in at least 15 games every season except for 2019 when the league suspended him for six games due to a domestic violence incident in September 2017. Reed wasn’t arrested or charged.
RUN DEFENSE
The 310-pound Reed is blessed with all the physical attributes needed to be an excellent run-stuffer. He’s stout at the point of attack; he can stack the double team, and he’ll strike ballcarriers with intent. As I watched the tape, there were a few times when I actually felt sorry for the offensive linemen who were assigned the task of getting movement against him.
In the top video, Reed (#90) stays low and uses leverage and his great strength to neutralize Denver’s right guard and make the tackle. In the middle video, he does the same thing to Chicago’s left tackle. Reed also moves surprisingly well for a player his size. In the above video, he flashes impressive short-area burst as he chases down Buffalo’s Josh Allen, one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the entire league. These are examples of what he’s capable of doing against the run.
Unfortunately, Reed lacks consistency. He has a tendency to rise out of his stance and play too tall, which negates the power in his lower body and makes him relatively easy to move. He can also be late to locate the ball and occasionally be fooled by misdirection. When he has a bad play, it’s almost always more his own doing than anything the opponent did.
In the top video, Reed takes himself out of the play by charging inside with his head down. By the time he realizes where the ball is, Packers running back A.J. Dillon is by him. In the above video, Reed plays too tall and loses leverage against Washington’s left guard. This makes a 310-pound man very easy to move. Plays like these show up way too often.
Reed won’t be a liability against the run, but it’s debatable whether he’ll be much of an upgrade from Tyler Lancaster, who ended last season as a starter. The less talented former Northwestern star uses better technique and shows more awareness.
PASS RUSH
Reed isn’t as twitchy a pass rusher as ex-Packer Kingsley Keke, but he still possesses enough power and quickness to win 1-on-1s against the majority of interior offensive linemen. And while he’s no longer explosive enough to defeat double teams the way he did in 2018, he’s usually able to at least push the pocket and make the quarterback feel his presence.
Reed wins the majority of his 1-on-1 battles against non-elite interior offensive linemen. In the top video, he’s just too strong for John Simpson of the Raiders. In the middle video, Connor Williams of the Cowboys gets the same treatment. In the above video, the victim is Nate Herbig of the Eagles. The lightest of those three guards is Williams at about 320 pounds.
While getting pressure on the quarterback is the strength of Reed’s game, don’t expect his sack total to be high next season. He was Seattle’s second-best rusher in 2018 – the year he had 10.5 sacks – so the defensive coaches often schemed to get him 1-on-1s. That won’t happen very often with the Packers. Instead, he’ll be one of the players asked to do the dirty work to free up elite edge rushers Rashan Gary and Preston Smith and Pro Bowl nose tackle Kenny Clark.
INTANGIBLES
Reed has his share of warts – that’s why he’ll be playing for his third team in three years – but effort isn’t one of them. I saw more examples of loafing by former Packer Za’Darius Smith in any one game during the 2020 season than in the 12 games I watched of Reed. That’s a great quality for any player, especially for a D-lineman who was on the field for over 800 snaps.
In the above video, Reed doesn’t stop playing after the ball is thrown. He turns around and chases after the receiver. What’s even more impressive is when this took place. It’s the fourth quarter, and he’s already been on the field for over 40 snaps.
FINAL VERDICT
Based on his recent tape and the modest size of his contract ($3.25 million), Reed was a solid acquisition. But don’t pencil him into the starting lineup just yet. Because his play against the run has been so inconsistent, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a highly-drafted rookie or even second-year pro T.J. Slaton earn more snaps opposite Lowry in the base defense. Reed figures to contribute most in the sub-packages, where he could either spell Clark or line up next to him. The idea of sending Reed, Clark, Gary, and Smith after quarterbacks should excite the Packers and scare the crap out of opposing offensive coordinators.
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Always appreciate these scouting reports and it’s nice to get some analysis on the new players. Reed seems to be at least a situational contributor and, maybe, a consistent starter. Not a bad rotational body to have, either.
Definitely wouldn’t be surprised to see GB spend one of its top four picks on an interior linemen, either. Can never have too many good, big bodies.
Really appreciate the analysis, Michael. You’re the only one, as far as I can tell, who does actual Packers analysis. Silverstein and Dougherty are decent – but they really miss McGinn. So thanks for this.
Amazing to think back to the 2016 draft when it was clear the Packers would go DT/NT with their first back. There was much talk of Jarran Reed (along with V. Butler and A. Robinson) being selected in the first round. Turns out Ted hit a grand slam with that Clark pick. But great to have Reed in the fold. From your take, sounds like a good signing for the money and that he’ll be a solid contributor along the DL. I was thinking that Reed maybe made it so GB won’t have to go DL in the first two or three rounds but after reading your piece I’m thinking they still have a need. Will be interesting to see whether Slaton makes any noticeable year 2 jump or whether he’ll just be a role player.
Thanks, as always – good stuff!
Great stuff.
I read today that Reed’s cap number is under $2 million. The Packers can’t go wrong at that price.
That was a fantastic read. Gives a well rounded understanding of Reed.
Great article! Wouldn’t be a bad idea to resign Lancaster if the price is right. He’s a solid backup.
Love the analysis.
Great insight as always. I am hoping that the Packers find a good DT prospect in the draft. While also signing some good
high potential undrafted defensive lineman in free agency.
Hopefully, they also find a free agent WR who can help them stabilize the WR position. Relying on a rookie receiver isn’t smart and what they currently have is a joke.
Thanks again for your time and effort. Much appreciated… hopefully you have a wonderful afternoon.