Seahawks Take Flier on Athletic, Do-It-All DB Jerrick Reed II

Capable of playing multiple positions and bringing special teams value, the Seattle Seahawks added a quality developmental insurance policy late on day three by investing a sixth-round pick in New Mexico's Jerrick Reed.

Further reinforcing depth in the secondary in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks once again prioritized versatility by selecting New Mexico defensive back Jerrick Reed II with the 198th overall pick.

Born and raised in Olive Branch, Mississippi, the hometown of former Seahawks icon K.J. Wright, Reed received minimal recruiting interest and started his journey to the NFL at Northwest Mississippi Community College. After one season at the JUCO level, New Mexico offered him a scholarship and he took his talents west, racking up 266 career tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss in four seasons with the program.

A dynamic athlete, Reed put on a show at New Mexico's pro day, running a sub 4.45 40-yard dash and posting a 38-inch vertical jump, which would have finished in the top five among safeties at the combine. That athleticism shows up on film, as he's a rangy defender in coverage with quality ball tracking skills evidenced by seven career interceptions and 10 pass breakups as a senior last season while also starring on kick and punt coverage units on special teams.

Active against the run and willing to throw his helmet into the ring, Reed played over 800 snaps in the box over his collegiate career, exemplifying his positional flexibility. Playing in a 3-3-5 defense for the Lobos, he spent extensive time at free safety and in the slot as well, gaining invaluable experience covering tight ends and receivers out of nickel and dime packages.

Despite being an instinctive player with the right mindset, Reed can be a bit erratic at times freelancing with coverage assignments. His form tackling will also need to be cleaned up at the next level. Last season, per Pro Football Focus, he missed 16 tackles and posted a 15.6 percent missed tackle rate, leaving too many plays on the field with arm tackle attempts and inconsistent pursuit angles.

As a sixth-round pick at a deep position group headlined by Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams, the Seahawks will be looking for Reed to stake an early role on special teams and potentially compete for playing time in the slot. With quality athletic traits and the ability to play multiple positions, he could be an intriguing developmental player to watch with enough talent to eventually push for a rotational role defensively.

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