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The New York Giants are notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to the NFL Draft. They rarely let anything slip regarding which prospects, or even positions, they may be targeting. But of the limited information we have available, we know the Giants talked to Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle Jarran Reed at the Senior Bowl.
Reed is a big, powerful, defensive tackle who plays with an edge. The Giants obviously had some interest, so we should take a closer look.
Measurables
Pros
- Very powerful build. Reed has the strength to control the line of scrimmage. Does not get pushed backwards, but can bend offensive linemen backward.
- Quick off the ball. Fires off the snap with a good first step for a bigger tackle.
- Stands up double teams and is almost impossible to move in the run game.
- Can be disruptive and gets his hands in the air. Finished two year career at Alabama with 111 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two sacks, and 7 passes defensed
Cons
- Doesn't seem to have the quickness to be a consistent pass rushing threat
- Can let his pad level rise, giving up leverage.
- Played on a very good defense. Were his deficiencies covered up by talented defense?
- Alabama rotated its linemen freely. Endurance is a question.
Prospect Video
Big Board Rankings
Big Blue View - 15th
Mocking The Draft - 17th
CBS - 21st
Draft Tek - 25th
Does He Fit With the Giants?
Reed should be able to fit with any defense in the NFL, so the easy answer is "yes." However, the question is what the Giants are looking for in a tackle, and how they feel about the big nose tackles already on the roster.
If they are looking for more of a 1-gap penetrator, that isn't exactly Reed's game. He can penetrate into the backfield and disrupt offenses, but at Alabama he was more of a pocket pushing run stopper. Also, Reed is similar in power, build, and game, to Montori Hughes and Louis Nix III. If the Giants like the upside they have in those players, they might look for something else in a tackle.
Final Thoughts
Jarran Reed didn't get as much recognition as teammate A'Shawn Robinson, but the JUCO transfer is a talented player in his own right. He is fairly highly rated at the moment, but as scouts get a better look at lesser-known players the glut of talent in this draft could push him down to the point where he is available in the second round.
Mike Mayock stated that it's possible a tackle who would be a first or second rounder in any other draft could slip all the way down to the fourth round. When, and where, all these talented players go at the end of April will be one of the more fascinating aspects of this draft.