Assessing Possibilities: Nick Reed

We have established a 7 rd. layout of more or less what the Dolphins draft may look like, and we know that late in the draft they may be targeting a project hybrid defensive end/linebacker. Reed makes sense to fill this role for the Miami Dolphins.

In order to give a more accurate scouting report, I contacted Jeremy Conant from a great Ducks blog, Addicted to Quack, and he provided me with a great deal of information on Nick Reed and how he may or may not project to the NFL.

Nick Reed, DE/LB Hybrid, 6-1 248lbs.
At the Oregon Pro Day: 40 Time: 4.71/ Bench Press: 24

- Two-time Pac-10 leader in sacks (despite usually facing the opposition's best offensive tackle)
- First-team All-Pac-10 his junior and senior year
- First-team All-American for the 2008-09 season
- Two-time Academic All-American

Jeremy had this to say:

What we saw at Oregon was a good athlete with tremendous instincts and a knack for making big plays. Reed is fast. More importantly, he has a very quick burst at the snap - that is where he usually gains an advantage in his pass rush. Can he be a run stopper in the NFL? That's the million dollar question.

The motor is there, the intangibles are mostly in his favor. Reed plays with high intensity and, at Oregon, was a vocal leader on defense. It's a long-shot that Reed is the next Tedy Bruschi, but if some NFL team is smart enough to invest in his development it's not out of the question. Early on Reed would be a beast on special teams.

If Reed would have been invited to the combine at Indianapolis, Reed would have been very close to some of the top linebacker prospects in the draft. His 40 time was faster than Ray Maualuga (4.83), Brian Cushing (4.79). His bench press would have also been higher than Maualuga and Laurinitis, and "his cone and shuttle drills would have been within hundreths of a second if Laurinitis and Cushing."

In response to some of the questions I asked, Jeremy adds:

I don't recall seeing Reed in pass coverage, so I can't speak to that. That has to be a real question mark with the pro scouts. My gut tells me pass coverage would have to be an immediate focus area for Reed if he's to play inside linebacker. I believe he would be an effective situational blitzer. As a two-time Academic All-American, Reed should not have issues grasping an NFL playbook. I don't recall any compaints regarding his coachability or pressence in the locker room. I don't recall any off-the-field issues during his years at Oregon.

Bottom line with Nick Reed: He's just a great football player. He's the quintessential overachiever who's desire to succeed will overcome just about any obstacle. It would be a surprise to me and many other Duck fans if he doesn't make an NFL roster as a back-up linebacker, possibly contributing immediately on special teams.

I for one would not be at all oppossed to drafting Nick Reed with a 7th round pick and giving him a shot at making the team. With the great coaching staff down here at Miami, he may just become the next Tedy Bruschi, as much as I dislike him and his patsies!!.

I want to thank Jeremy for his thoughts on Nick Reed. I encourage all you Duck fans to drop by and add your thoughts about Nick Reed, and how you think he will fit not only in the NFL, but in Miami's 3-4 defense.

Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0

The NFL Draft is 11 days away!! It's becoming quite a difficult task for me to sit straight in my chair, but while I try to hold that under control, I will drop my Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0.

This draft may change a couple of times in the coming days since the week before the draft gets extremely hectic when it comes to players value shooting up and down.

• 1st rd. (25th Overall)- With the 25th Pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois. As I've made clear before, I strongly believe that if Miami (who owns the toughest schedule in the NFL) is to at all come close to competing this season, they need to cover the hole they have in their secondary. Davis is the best corner in the draft and can likely take over Miami's number 1 corner spot by the second half of the year. That said, he may as well not be available at the 25 slot. If that's the case, I imagine Miami will look at Darius Butler or Sean Smith. I highly doubt Miami will draft outside the corner position in this slot in the draft. It is more likely they trade down.

• 2nd rd. (44th Overall)- With the 44th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select WR, Hakeem Nicks, UNC. First and foremost let me establish that I think he will be the perfect complement to Teddy Ginn. He's not as fast, so he doesn't post the deep threat, but he is your dream possession receiver, and a great blocker. He will help Miami's pass and run offense immensely. Like Davis, it is extremely possible that he may have been drafted by the 44th pick, and if that's the case, then I don't believe Miami will draft WR. I imagine they may be looking for an OLB, where the likes of Larry English, Clint Sintim, or even Worrell Williams.

• 2nd rd. (56th Overall)- With the 56th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select OLB, Clint Sintim, Virginia. This pick is very dependant on how high Tuna and his front office are on Cameron Wake. If they feel he's a project, they'll take an OLB early. Sintim has played the 3-4 in college and been successful, and will be used in the same slot he was in college if drafted by Miami. He will rush opposite Porter. My only issue with him is his pass coverage skills. If Miami happens to be high on Wake, and believe he's ready to play (who am I to argue with Parcells and his track record), then I can see Miami going after another corner to shore up that passing game once and for all. Possible targets might be Alphonso Smith or DJ Moore.

• 3rd rd. (87th Overall)- With the 87th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select OT, Jamon Meredith, South Carolina. Miami has 2 great left tackles. This is not necessarily a position of need, rather a position of want. If Carey or Long go down, Miami has no insurance. Drafting Meredith will not only provide insurance, but in the 3rd rd, he may as well be one of the better players available, and he'll be able to spell the Tackles from time to time. I doubt Miami will draft another WR, or a NT here, and if my assumptions are correct, and if they go corner twice with the first three picks, it won't happen again here. Other possibilities may be Jarius Byrd if they don't draft a corner in rd. 2 or another tackle, Fenuki Tupou, Lawrence Sidbury.
  

• 4th rd. (108th Overall)- With the 108th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select CB, Mike Mickens, Cincinnati. Mickens is a true cover corner who possesses the raw skills necessary to become a legit star in the NFL. He has the height and weight that Parcells likes, and his negatives can be fixed through coaching. Assuming Miami does not go corner twice on day one, they'll be taking a corner with this pick. Other options might be CB Greg Toler, NT Sammie Lee Hill.

• 5th rd. (161 Overall)- With the 161st pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select NT, Terrence Taylor, Michigan. Taylor was once a first round prospect who struggled along with everyone else at Michigan last year. He lacks a bit in height, but his shape and conditioning will be fixed once he goes pro. He will be a legitimate run stopper in the NFL. Other possibilities here may include ILB Frantz Joseph.
  

• 6th rd. (181 Overall)- With the 181st pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select SS, Otis Wiley, Michigan State. This is basically and insurance pick. Bell is 32 years ol and has an extensive injury history. He managed to keep it together last year, but it never hurts to have someone who can come in and perform in his place were something to happen. If not, a safety to groom. Other Possibilities may include C Dallas Reynolds, ILB Dannell Ellerbe.

• 7th rd. (214 Overall)- With the 214th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select ILB, Nick Reed, Oregon. Reed will more than likely not compete for a starting job, but he'll be a project. Has great work ethic, and may make the team on special teams. At this point in the draft, Miami might be drafting for the best player available.

• 7th rd. (237th Overall)- With the 237th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select OG/OT George Bussey, Louisville. This pick will provide Miami with versatility depth at the O-line. He's also a player who has been injury free throughout college, and has trememndous upside if coached well (which he will be) in the pros. Again, there may be a ton of other options at this point in the draft.

Well, there it is, the 7 round Dolphins Mock Draft. Feel free to comment on what you would change or not.