Hawks Visiting with Duck

by: Michael Steffes

According to this report from ProFootballTalk.com, the Hawks are one of two teams taking a look at Nick Reed, an Oregon defensive end who wasn't invited to the combine. His career numbers, 29 1/2 sacks and 51 1/2 tackles for loss, are pretty impressive. Some teams are considering him as a rush linebacker at the next level.

Here is a Sporting News breakdown on him:

Strengths: When taking on tight ends and average college offensive tackles, flashes pass-rush ability and good closing speed to the quarterback. Plays with intensity. Shows above-average athleticism for position.

Weaknesses: Struggles in run support, getting knocked off the ball. Has trouble anchoring the defense. Struggles against big tackles.

Bottom line: Reed was a productive college end, but most NFL personnel men say he lacks the explosive pass rush to play end in the NFL, so he is viewed as a linebacker prospect. He helped himself in that respect in offseason workouts. He went through linebacker drills and was surprisingly smooth and athletic dropping into coverage and moving in the open field. Some scouts now believe he has enough athleticism to even play as an outside linebacker ina 3-4 scheme, too.

Sounds like a Ruskell special: production over potential. Reed is at best expected to be a late round pick, so if he impresses, and the VMAC impresses him, there is a chance he will end up here as either a 7th rounder or UDFA. END