From now until the 2020 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.
#2 Joe Reed/WR Virginia – 6’1 215
The Good
– Good size and fills out frame
– Versatile player, capable of wearing lots of hats, natural with the ball in his hands
– Quick to the tuck after the catch, YAC threat with functional strength and good open field speed
– Strong hands and able to make difficult catches in the air, finds and adjusts to football well
– Prolific kick returner with downhill nature but lateral agility to make people miss in open grass
– Creates separation at top of route on short/deep concepts (speed out/corner are his best)
– Proven ability to be vertical or an underneath/volume threat, won in different ways based on offense’s needs
– Quality starting experience and durability, didn’t miss time and no major injuries to note
The Bad
– Lacks some detail in route-running and wasn’t much of an intermediate threat
– Needs to run through routes more often, will turn head around too early and lose speed
– Works to find open grass to settle against zone coverage but often drifts into the next window and into defenders
– Will leave feet too often for short throws he doesn’t need to jump for, limits YAC ability
– Loses out in some contested situations downfield
– May struggle to find defined role/fit at the next level, where does he function best?