Jarran Reed to New Orleans Saints in Todd McShay’s first mock draft
Jarran Reed, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s star defensive tackle, was sent to the New Orleans Saints in Todd McShay’s first NFL mock draft for the 2016 class.
With the eleventh pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select Jarran Reed, defensive tackle, Alabama. That’s according to ESPN’s Todd McShay, who released his first mock draft on Wednesday. Here’s what he had to say:
"11. New Orleans SaintsJarran Reed, DT, Alabama Crimson TideReed is one of those prospects in which you ignore the stats and turn on the tape. He has been dominant for the Tide this season, often occupying multiple blockers inside and making a ton of plays at or behind the line of scrimmage against the run. And he also has shown the ability to get some push as an interior pass-rusher to move the QB off his spot."
It’s apparent that the Saints have gaping holes all over their roster, including along the defensive line, as they boast one of the more inefficient pass-rush departments in all of football while allowing a league-worst 136.1 yards on the ground per game.
Well, Jarran Reed is a guy who could come in and improve that immediately. A product of Nick Saban, which is already a plus, and one of the more polished defensive linemen in his class, this kid is the anchor to the No. 1 rushing defense in America — a unit allowing just 2.38 yards per carry and only 962 total rushing yards on the year.
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At 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, Jarran Reed brings superb size and power to the defensive front, eating up blockers and dominating at the point of attack. In 13 games this season, his senior year with Crimson Tide, Reed was responsible for 53 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, two passes defended and a sack. But like Todd McShay said, it’s not about the stats. It’s about the film, and Reed is an impressive looking specimen on tape. Good luck getting past him.
The Saints, unfortunately, have been plagued with mediocrity at the defensive tackle position for too long. Jarran Reed is the type of talent to end that misery. Of course, we can’t guarantee who New Orleans will draft, and it’s far too early to even tell where they will be picking in the order, but Reed would certainly be a good choice if other top talents are already off the board.
While I’m sure Reed is looking forward to taking his talents to the NFL, his only focus should be on Michigan State. Alabama is matched up with the Spartans in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on December 31 in Arlington, TX.