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Brooks Reed

Brooks Reed LB/DE Arizona


TALENT BOARD

Round 2



STRENGTHS

Brooks has good size, speed and burst to the play to make impact plays for the team that drafts him. He never stops working and is a head up, wrap up, squeeze and drive tackler. He shows a great burst off the line to rush the passer and quickness to change direction and the speed to chase players down from behind. He shows leadership skills through his play on the field and has solid football instincts. He is a smart player who understand situational football. Brooks has some nice pass rush techniques because he played as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense, but at times, was used to fall off the line into coverage and looks to have the agility to be used as a OLB in a 3-4 defense. Brooks looks like he will be a good zone coverage OLB in a 3-4 defense. With his natural quickness and speed off the line in pass rush situations, in the very near future he could be an impact player if he is drafted by the right team and the right system.



CONCERNS

Brooks is a pass rusher who needs to refine and gain more mature pass rushing moves to impact at the next level if he wants to stay as a 4-3 defensive end. He will have to show at the combine that he has the agility in the linebacker skills to play as a OLB in a 3-4. He is stiff in the hips and not as flexible as a lot of other pass rushing LB's in this draft, but right now he is one of the best. Give him some time and with his work ethic, this kid will impact big time for the team that drafts him.



BOTTOM LINE

You go ahead and draft Von Miller. I'll take this kid as I bet Brooks outplays Von at the next level. You know why I think that? I think that because Brooks outplays Von right now at the college level! Von is more athletic, but he doesn't play better. Now some will say that Von has more room to grow, but for me, the question is whether or not Von has the work ethic and football intelligence to grow. I know Brooks does. Brooks has the potential to impact like Tedy Bruschi did for the Patriots. Tedy was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1996 draft. He played as a down lineman for Arizona also and was drafted and used in the first year by the Patriots as a pass rush specialist/special teams player, where his impact was noticed by his team and opponents alike. The next year Tedy was used as an OLB and then was moved to ILB and became the leader of the defense. I feel drafting Brooks gives you a pass rush specialist who will impact for you if you bring him along just like Tedy was by the Patriots. Now I know all of you think that Brooks looks like Clay Matthews, so he might be as good as Clay Mathews, but Clay had a lot more mature pass rushing techniques and plays bigger than Brooks does. In spite of that, I think drafting the next potential Tedy Bruschi is not bad at all. This kid will be a core player, a fan favorite and a leader for your team. That should be good enough.
The BS Detector
Drew Boylhart Mar/11

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04/04/2011 - Top linebacker prospects: 4. Brooks Reed, Arizona, 6-3, 263, 2 Reed worked out with the defensive linemen at the combine, but he projects best to outside linebacker in a 3-4. He only enhanced that probability with a 4.65 40, which was faster than 18 of the 24 linebackers tested in Indy. That included a position-best 1.54-second 10-yard split among defensive linemen, showing his explosive first step. Reed isn't quite as athletic as Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews, but he does change directions with fluidity and impressed in positional drills at the combine and the Senior Bowl. The three-year starter closed his career with 114 tackles and 17 sacks and was first-team All-Pac-10 in 2010. - Jeff Reynolds, The Sports Xchange

Full Brooks Reed News Wire
Overview

Reed has been an active part of one of the best pass rushes in college football for the past two years, but is a bit of an end/outside linebacker 'tweener as an NFL prospect. He's slightly undersized for a 4-3 end and lacks the fluid hips for assignments like open-field tackles and man coverage against tight ends as a 3-4 linebacker. However, the NFL will get effort, hustle and quickness off the snap at either position.
Analysis

Positives: Three-year starter at end is a combination of effort, hustle and quickness off the snap. Could get a look as a 4-3 end, but is also well suited for outside linebacker in a 3-4. Stays low, runs well and is relentless in pursuit. Powerful bull rush and a quality speed rush. Consistent and strong tackler, can deliver the big hit. Contributes on special teams. Smart in the classroom, fiery leader on the field - top intangibles.

Negatives: Appears a bit stiff in the hips and doesn't change directions well. Has bull and speed rushes and an OK spin move as pass rush techniques - that's it. Spin move is the double-move. Doesn't disengage from blocks effectively. Did not fare well against better competition. While effort is good, isn't very effective as a lineman against the run, and can be overpowered and washed. Doesn't have a lot of experience in pass coverage.
--Brad Noel

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