Detroit Lions should target Jarran Reed in 2016 NFL Draft
The Detroit Lions need help badly on their defensive line. Heading into the 2016 NFL Draft, they should highly consider selecting one of the best defensive tackles in Jarran Reed.
Make no mistake about it, one of the major offseason needs for the Lions is improving their defense. In my recent mock draft, the Lions selected cornerback Kendall Fuller out of Virginia Tech. The thought here is Fuller would help address their lack of being able to lock down opposing receivers while adding to their pass coverage.
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The Lions haven’t really been able to have stability and consistency at cornerback, so it made sense to head in that route with their No. 16 pick in this year’s draft. Only thing is, if he’s not available or the Lions acquire a cornerback via free agency, it’ll help them address another need on the team at defensive tackle.
With issues at depth and quality at the position, the Lions need to add a top defensive tackle that is able to stop the run and be disruptive against opposing offensive linemen. If he’s available, Reed would be a solid addition on the Lions’ defensive line.
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At 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds out of Alabama, Reed is a force to reckon with. In his collegiate career, Reed totaled 111 tackles, two sacks and seven passes defended. He’s disruptive and strong against anyone trying to contain him.
With his abilities to get through blocks easily as well as having good speed to get to the ball carrier, his skill-set is exactly what the Lions need. He rarely misses tackles and takes down the ball carrier with precision. The Lions’ defense would get an instant jolt of talent and finally be able to bring some much-needed pressure to their opponents for next season and beyond.
Considering that both Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker are free agents this offseason, it’s imperative they start stacking up quality depth at defensive tackle. With a new general manager in Bob Quinn about to put his thumbprint across the team, expect to see him make some strategic moves this offseason to bolster the Lions’ defense to keep up with the best of them.
Reed is a player that that can step right in and take care of business. He has a good character and strong work ethic, two main traits that Quinn always makes sure players he takes a chance on have. With the Lions posting a 7-9 record last season, the new leadership regime has a lot of work ahead of them to turn this franchise into contenders again.
One way is to have consistency when it comes to what the final vision is. As the Denver Broncos clearly proved in Super Bowl 50, defense wins championships. The Lions already have a good foundation in place defensively, they’re just a few pieces away from putting it all together to win plenty of football games and have it be their main strength.
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Overall, Reed would be a nice direction to start in heading into this year’s draft. With about $21M in salary cap space as per SpotRac.com, don’t expect the Lions to have a spending frenzy in free agency. The best teams build through the draft as the Lions will more than likely address all their needs, especially at defensive tackle at the yearly event.