Jaylen Reed S Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jaylen Reed S Penn State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 12/18/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 21.11 DOB: 01/29/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
Last Updated: 12/18/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | |
Age: 21.11 DOB: 01/29/2003 | |
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Overall Rating: | 81.5 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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79% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 98.1 | |
Tackling: |
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78% |
Run Defense: |
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85% |
Coverage: |
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65% |
Zone: |
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70% |
Man/Press: |
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63% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#220
Position rank:
#47
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College Games: 46 College Snaps: 1749 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Nick Cross - Maryland |
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87% |
Kalen DeLoach - Florida State |
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80% |
Yusuf Corker - Kentucky |
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79% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A Detroit native who made his mark at Martin Luther King Jr. High School, Reed's path to Penn State was paved with impressive accolades including All-State honors and a state championship. The four-star recruit showed early promise, earning playing time as a true freshman before steadily climbing the depth chart to become a full-time starter. His junior season marked a turning point as he started all 13 games, notching 46 tackles and securing his first two career interceptions while earning All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition.Reed's senior campaign has been his most impactful, highlighted by a game-changing pick-six against Wisconsin that showcased his ability to deliver in crucial moments. His versatility has been on full display in defensive coordinator Tom Allen's system, where he's thrived both as a traditional safety and in the hybrid Lion position, drawing comparisons to former Penn State standouts Ji'Ayir Brown and Jaquan Brisker.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Displays exceptional instincts when playing downhill, showing quick diagnosis skills and the ability to navigate through traffic while maintaining proper pursuit angles
- Brings the thunder as a tackler despite average size, consistently wraps up and drives through contact with impressive functional strength in the box
- Versatile chess piece who can legitimately line up at multiple spots - shows enough range for deep safety while bringing the lumber closer to the line
- Natural feel for run fits and gap integrity when playing in the box - rarely gets caught out of position and maintains disciplined edge control
- Accelerates through his tackles with excellent closing burst, showing the ability to break down quickly in space without sacrificing momentum
- Film study shows consistent improvement in reading quarterback eyes and pattern matching - growing comfort in zone coverage concepts
- High football IQ evident in pre-snap communication and alignment adjustments - often gets teammates in proper position
- Special teams demon who brings same intensity to coverage units as defensive snaps - projects as immediate four-phase contributor
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can be overaggressive attacking downhill, occasionally taking himself out of plays by committing too early to his initial read
- Man coverage skills remain a work in progress - tight hips show up when forced to turn and run with more athletic tight ends and backs
- Despite solid testing numbers, doesn't consistently show elite range when working as a single-high safety in coverage
- Could improve block shedding technique - tends to get stuck on blocks longer than ideal when working through traffic
- Sometimes loses leverage pursuing outside runs - needs to maintain better outside shoulder discipline to force plays back inside
Scouting Report: Summary
A physical tone-setter with the versatility to fill multiple roles in an NFL defensive backfield, Reed brings immediate value on all four special teams units while developing into a defensive contributor. His ability to diagnify plays quickly and attack downhill jumps off the tape, particularly when working in the box or as an overhang defender. The explosion he generates through contact and reliable tackling technique will translate well to the next level.What separates Reed from other day three safeties is his combination of football intelligence and scheme flexibility. He's shown consistent growth in coverage recognition and pre-snap adjustments, suggesting untapped potential as he continues developing. While he may not have the pure range to thrive as a single-high safety, his instincts and physicality make him an ideal fit for quarters coverage schemes or defensive packages utilizing three safeties.
Ultimately, Reed represents solid value in the middle rounds as a high-floor prospect who can contribute immediately while developing into a potential starter. His ceiling will depend largely on continued refinement of his coverage skills, but his floor is secure given his special teams prowess and ability to play multiple roles. The film shows a player who brings infectious energy and consistently makes his presence felt - the kind of tone-setter who elevates the physicality of both practice and game day.
How other scouting services rate Jaylen Reed (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
174.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
49.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.