2016 NFL Draft: Scouting Jarran Reed, Alabama Defensive Lineman

One prospect who the Denver Broncos are reportedly are really high on and could select in the first round is former Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed. He is a 6'3", 307lb defensive lineman who is considered one of the top defensive lineman in a draft that is deep in that position. Reed is ranked the 19th overall prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft, according to CBS Sports, and is ranked as the 3rd best defensive tackle in the draft.

During his two-year career at Alabama, Reed totaled 111 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, and 7 pass deflections. This past season Reed totaled 57 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections. The SEC media named Reed to the second-team All-SEC team in 2015. He was disruptive force no matter where he lined up along the defensive line.

Jarran Reed

Defensive End, Senior, Alabama

Height: 6'3" Weight: 307lbs 40 time: 5.21 seconds

Arm Length: 33 3/8" Hands: 10 1/2"

Bench Press: N/A Vertical Jump: 31.0 inches

Broad Jump: 104.0 inches 3 Cone Drill: 7.77 seconds

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.75 seconds

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths:

• Anchored Alabama's defensive line and was disruptive in the tough SEC
• Strong and has a well-built frame
• Moves surprisingly well for a man of his size
• Doesn't get lost in the trenches and has a nose for the ball
• Good and violent tackler
• Sets the edge well
• Can play in either scheme(4-3 or 3-4)
• Reads the running backs eyes and clogs the running lanes
• Productive despite only playing 55% of the snaps at Alabama
• Tough to move and is your classic run stopper

Weaknesses:

• Not a pass rusher and probably is not a three-down player in the NFL
• Limited pass rushing moves
• Not explosive off the snap

Does Jarran Reed fit with the Broncos?

He does, but he is not Malik Jackson.

My first scouting report of 2016 is Jarran Reed because the Broncos reportedly "love" the guy, and I can see why.

Here is what Walter Football's Charlie Campbell reported back earlier this offseason.

Denver's plan is to address the defensive line in the first round. They love Alabama's Jarran Reed, but he also is very unlikely to make it to pick 31. Still, the 2016 draft is loaded at the defensive line, so there should be some good options available to the Broncos. Even though Denver's first-round pick could go to fortifying its tremendous defense, the changes at quarterback will get all the attention this offseason.

As Campbell says, Reed is likely at top 20 pick, so it's unlikely that he will fall all the way to 31. However, the Broncos have 10 draft pick(possibly more if they trade Clady, plus another 3 or 4 compensatory picks coming next year) and can use their extra draft picks to trade up during April's NFL Draft.

Now how would Reed fit with the Broncos? I think he could line up at all three defensive line spots. He is run stopping machine, and pairing him with Derek Wolfe and Sylvester Williams will make it very hard for teams to run on this Broncos defense.

On obvious passing situations, he may need to be subbed out, but it will be interesting to see if defensive line coach Bill Kollar could improve his pass rushing skills.

If the Broncos want to add a country strong, run-stuffing defensive lineman, and are willing to trade up for him, Jarran Reed is your guy.