Safety
Ed Reed
College: Miami
Year: Senior
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 198
Birthday: September 11, 1978
Strengths: Hailed by his coaches as a coach on the field, Ed Reed has developed into one of the most dominant defensive backs in the nation.
A three-year starter at strong safety, Reed moved to free safety this season and hasn’t missed a beat. In fact, he’s arguably enjoying his best season ever with 7 INT’s, 8 PBU’s, 2 recovered fumbles, one forced fumble, a blocked punt and a partridge in a pear tree.
A big-time playmaker, Reed is tough and aggressive, with good instincts and a nose for the ball. He gives full effort on every play, and even if a bigger back of tight end gives him trouble, Reed won’t back down. He’s not a big hitter, but he can still dish it and doesn’t mind playing an active role in Miami’s rush defense.
Areas of concern: Is he a strong safety or a free safety? Reed’s not quite thick enough to play the run in the NFL and not near fast enough to stay with wideouts, so he projects to be a bit of a ‘tweener.
Also, he’s another guy (and this draft is full of them), who’s solid in every aspect of the game, but isn’t spectacular at any one thing. A team needing specific help might look elsewhere to find it.
Is he sponge-worthy?: Probably not, but only because he’s likely to go in the middle of the first round. But make no mistake about it: the Texans would love to have a playmaker like Reed in their defensive backfield if they could somehow pull it off. The guy is a prolific playmaker. In addition to his, now, 19 career interceptions, Reed has 6 blocked punts, 6 QB sacks and 22 tackles-for-losses. Amazing.
Nicknamed “Junkyard Dog” by his head coach, Reed’s a smart, experienced player who will likely be able to step right into the NFL and start from day 1. He does have some trouble with bigger, stronger running backs and tight ends, and his speed, if not a major concern, is still nonetheless a concern. But he’s still a topflight prospect, possibly the first safety taken in next year’s draft.
Ed Reed’s career stats YEAR TAK INT PD FC-FR TD 2000 59 8 23 0-0 2 1999 74 2 4 1-1 0 1998 90 2 7 4-0 0 TOTALS 223 12 34 5-1 2 
Return to Houston Pro Football.com 
Reed and right: Miami safety is one INT away from school record The South Florida Sun Sentinel looks at Ed Reed’s remarkable final year in Miami.
Perseverance pays off for Miami’s Reed The Tallahassee Democrat reports on Ed Reed’s emergence as the leader on Miami’s defense.
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