From now until the 2019 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
# 90 Malik Reed/EDGE Nevada – 6’1”, 250 lbs
The Good
- Fantastic bender, has ample flexibility in both his hips and ankles to get around the edge
- Smooth operator in space, can slip off-ball or drop back into coverage
- Great as a stand-up OLB, burst is shown in globs when standing up
- Explosive player off the line that can win on speed rushes and burst alone at times
- Corners and dips well to decrease surface area as he works around the edge
- Endless motor that never quits
- Has good pass rush plans on the outside as a 3-4 OLB
- Slashes well in run defense and can come back down
- Good coverage OBL or OLB, can process well in zone
The Bad
- Not much of note to speed or power, might need to bulk up
- Size is a bit of a concern and might be what projects him into a 4-3 SAM role
- Needs to hold his gap more on the edge, hit or miss, but slashes well
- Hand usage as nothing of note aside from a double swipe, doesn’t time well enough
- Somewhat shaky tackler, nips at feet in the open field
- Short arms means long arm isn’t a part of his arsenal and means he might have to rely on the burst his whole career
Bio
- Moved from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB in 2018
- First-Team All Mountain West (2x)
- Semifinalist for Bronko Nagurski award
- Former basketball player
Malik Reed has been a man that has been shifted around the defense so much at Nevada that it simply hasn’t been funny.