Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report: Jarran Reed

Sep 20, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) sacks Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) in the fourth quarter of their game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 42-21. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) sacks Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) in the fourth quarter of their game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 42-21. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Chiefs have retained all but one of their defensive starters in free agency. Should they look to add more depth in the draft by selecting Jarran Reed?

The Kansas City Chiefs did well in free agency especially when it came to keeping their defensive core intact. Something that has appeared to be important, however, is adding depth to the roster.

The Denver Broncos were able to win the Super Bowl this year due to having an enormous amount of depth on their defense. That defense slowed down the high-powered Carolina Panthers on the biggest stage of the year, and now the Chiefs, who were already writing a similar formula, need to stick with what got them to this point: Defense, defense, defense.

If the Chiefs are looking to add a big time weapon to their defense, then Jarran Reed out of Alabama would be a fine first round selection.

Combine Results

More from Chiefs Draft Analysis

  • 40-yard dash – 5.21 seconds
  • Vertical jump – 31.0 inch
  • Broad jump – 104.0 inch
  • 3-cone drill – 7.77 seconds
  • 20-yard shuttle – 4.75 seconds

Results courtesy of NFL.com’s Draft Tracker

Reed, a senior at Alabama, was the glue that held the Crimson Tide defensive front together. He only played at Alabama for two years, transferring over from JUCO. In two years with Alabama, Reed compiled 111 tackles, two sacks, and defended seven passes.

In KC Kingdom’s first mock draft of the season, I had the Chiefs selecting Jarran Reed in the second round (after taking teammate Reggie Ragland in the first).

Related Story: View all of our scouting reports here

The biggest takeaway from that mock draft was the fact that Reed did not have any missed tackles during his senior year. Not only was he a dominate force on the defense, but the Crimson Tide always could count on him to stop whoever had the ball.

More from KC Kingdom

"Reed is an elite run defender with the lower body strength to command his gap, but the instincts and timing to be productive as a tackler rather than just a space ­eater. Reed’s lack of pass rushing ability creates a potential glass­ ceiling on his draft stock; however, teams looking for a battle-­tested run ­stuffer will find an instant upgrade who should be able to come in and start immediately if needed.-Lance Zierlein of NFL.com"

Some of the knocks on Reed, according to CBS Sports, is that Reed can tire out quickly. He also doesn’t have the best pass rush skills, which is something that the Chiefs really take pride in.

The furthest the CBS Sports analysts have Reed dropping in the draft is to the 27th pick, which is right before the KC Chiefs will be on the clock. In other words, getting him in the second round (per my mock draft) would be a dream come true if it could happen.

Next: Chiefs Go With a Risky Pick in Latest Mock Draft

With teams seeing the recipe for success in the NFL, it’s doubtful that Jarran Reed finds his way to pick 28 on draft day. We can hope for otherwise though.