Field Gulls
The veteran defensive tackle has been a key player since returning to Seattle in 2023.
In 2024, veteran Jarran Reed re-emerged as a versatile and impactful asset to the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive line. In his ninth year with the team, he played key roles in both the pass rush and containment against the run game—playing a technical and physical leadership role.
According to PFF, among the 174 defensive tackles with at least 100 defensive snaps:
Defense Grade 70.6 (24th);
In the pass rush, he was 20th with a grade of 73.7 (19th), and in run defense with a grade of 58.2 (60th among defensive tackles).
679 snaps played (26th among defensive tackles).
48 pressures (13th);
4 sacks (32nd);
10 hits (11th);
34 hurries (12th);
23 run stops (31st);
There were some changes in Reed’s alignment from 2023 to 2024.
Gap A: 185 to 18;
Gap B: 498 to 479;
Gap C: 125 to 155;
He decreased his snaps as a nose tackle. This must have been a direct impact of the arrival of Johnathan Hankins and Byron Murphy. Even with this change, he continued to produce and excel on the Seahawks’ defensive line.
Reed’s consistency forced double blocks on several plays, creating opportunities for teammates and changing the opponent’s offensive rhythm. In addition to helping his teammates, he had a pass-rush win rate of 10.7%, constantly driving pressure from the interior.
The Seahawks call a blitz on the left side of the line, and Reed is assigned to defend the edge with Uchenna Nwosu dropping into coverage. He’s late at the start of the snap, but Leonard Williams’ pressure forces Caleb Williams out of the pocket, and Reed finishes the play.
He simply discards the OL like a cup thrown into the wastebasket.
It’s always good to have guys with this mentality. He keeps his engine running high, and even when he needs to recover, he stays focused and finishes with the sack on current Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (there was a bit of trash talk at the end of the play, we’ll see in training camp).
Reed recorded 44 tackles on ground plays and 23 run stops. His missed tackle rate was excellent: just 4.8%, among the best at the position.
He demonstrated physical power against blockers, filling gaps and opening space for linebackers, in addition to acting as a “flag flipper”—often intelligently adjusting line alignments.
This was one of the Seahawks DL’s problems. Even Reed and Leonard Williams, the cornerstones of the defensive line, were sometimes moved by double-blocking, opening up gaps in the defense.
At the beginning of the snap, he would be double-teamed, but since the center’s alignment is favorable for blocking Reed, the guard tries to defend the gap that was attacked by LB Tyrel Dodson. Reed notices the RB’s cutback, easily shakes off the OL—see how he avoids the center’s hands—and makes the tackle.
He controls the...
