NFL Draft Results: Seahawks trade up 7 spots, select Jarran Reed with 2nd round pick, 49 overall

The Seattle Seahawks have selected Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed with their 2nd round pick, 49th overall in the NFL Draft. They gave the Bears their 4th round pick (No. 124 overall) to move up and make the selection.

The Seahawks are beefing up in the trenches, and Reed is known as a big-time run stuffer. A player close to Pete Carroll's heart. With Brandon Mebane gone in free agency, this pick makes a lot of sense as a potential replacement. Reed is the final player in the Green Room to come off the board.

Here's a scouting report on Reed from NFL.com's Lance Zeirlein.

STRENGTHS Able to pack plenty of strength into his well-­built frame. Plays with bend, leverage and plus core power. Two-­gap machine who can eat blocks and come back for more. Rarely beaten at point of attack by single blocks. As an edge setter, grows roots and prevents running lanes from developing in gaps. Has catcher’s mitts for hands. Arms are a little short for the position but his hand quickness into blocker’s frame and instant arm extension make his arm length irrelevant. Engages, controls and slides down the line looking to finish the run before it gets started. Great vision and instincts to find ball quickly. Reads running back’s lane choice and discards blocker with excellent timing. Run down specialist posting tremendous two-­year production with 108 tackles despite playing in only 55 percent of the total snaps. Charted with no broken tackles or missed tackles for the entire season. Overcome adversity along road to success at Alabama.

WEAKNESSES Ineffective pass rusher. Was subbed out for on obvious passing downs. Straight-­line pass rusher unable to turn a corner and generate heat inside the pocket. Had just two sacks and sixteen quarterback pressures during his two years with Alabama. Bull­rush is missing. Average foot quickness and lacking upfield explosion out of stance to play in a one­-gap scheme. His hand work is very average as a pass rusher.

DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 1 or 2

NFL COMPARISON Eddie Goldman

BOTTOM LINE 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.

Here's what Dane Brugler and Rob Rang at NFLDraftScout.com had to say.

STRENGTHS: Reed was the anchor of Alabama's defensive front with the power and coordination at the contact point to absorb blockers and leverage the point of attack. Changes directions surprisingly well for a big man, accelerates smoothly and hustles to the ball.
He displays terrific sense perception to feel moving bodies around him, muddying the middle of the line and forcing offenses to run outside the hashes. As a tackler, he looks to punish the ballcarrier, driving his hips and finishing through the whistle.

At the Senior Bowl, consistently stood up would-be blockers at the line of scrimmage, bottling up the running game.

WEAKNESSES: Good effort in pursuit but will tire quickly. Limited pass rush skills and doesn't show the functional moves to beat blockers and infiltrate the pocket. Not a three-down player in every scheme. Will stand up at times off the snap, negating his ability to two-gap. Average overall range and pursuit speed with minimal impact outside the hashes.

IN OUR VIEW: Country strong with tree trunks for thighs and long arms, Reed is a classic two-gap run-stuffer stout enough to play inside at defensive tackle or outside at end. At 6-3, 311 pounds, Reed has the girth and strength to line up virtually anywhere along the defensive line, making him a fit for 3-4 and 4-3 teams, alike.

COMPARES TO: Dan Williams, DT, Oakland Raiders - Reed and Williams are well-built, nimble nose tackles who are capable of shutting down the run, appealing to various NFL schemes.

Here's what Tony Pauline had to say about Reed.

Positive: Two-year starter awarded all-Conference honors last season after posting a career-best 57 tackles. Explosive and powerful lineman who plays with terrific athleticism. Fluid changing direction, moves well laterally and gets outside the box in pursuit of the play. Plays with good pad level, effectively uses his hands to protect himself and rarely off his feet. Fires off the snap with a quick first step, moves well for a bigger tackle and has a solid closing burst. Holds his ground against blocks, nicely redirects to the action and gets his hands up to knock away the throw if he can't get to the passer.

Negative: Just a marginal pass rusher. Must develop more moves and become quicker disengaging from blocks. At times looks more like a gap occupier rather than a playmaker.

Analysis: Reed was a force for the Alabama defense the past two seasons and has the size and skill to be a starting tackle on Sunday. He comes with a nice upside and if coached properly, should develop into a three down defender.

Here's some tape:

After the trade, the Seahawks now have 9 selections total in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Round 1, Pick 26 (26): Germain Ifedi, OL Texas A&M
Round 2, Pick 18 (49): Jarran Reed, DL Alabama
Round 3, Pick 27 (90):
Round 3, Pick 31 (94):
Round 3, Pick 35 (97) (Comp pick):
Round 5, Pick 34 (171) (Comp pick):
Round 6, Pick 40 (215) (Comp pick):
Round 7, Pick 4 (225) (From Cowboys):
Round 7, Pick 26 (247):