The Kansas City Chiefs beefed up the interior of the defensive line on Sunday as they inked defensive lineman Jarran Reed to a one-year deal worth $7 million with $5 million guaranteed.
Career
Reed spent the first five seasons of his career in Seattle with the Seahawks. The former Alabama Crimson Tide standout was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
The 28-year-old veteran has been a full-time starter since 2017. He broke out in 2018, recording 10.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Over the past three seasons, Reed has tallied 19 sacks.
In total, Reed has 58 QB Hits, 22 TFL, 22 Sacks, and 194 tackles in 72 regular-season games. Reed was released by the Seahawks as he was due $14 million this season.
What He Brings to KC
Reed joins a deep defensive tackle group that includes star Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, and Tershawn Wharton. Jones has led the team in sacks in each of the past three seasons, recording 32 over the past three seasons.
Wharton, an undrafted free agent signing last year, provided effective depth, recording two sacks and 27 tackles (four for loss) in the regular season. Nnadi has developed into a solid defender against the run, recording 40 tackles in each of the past two seasons.
Reed opens up a lot of opportunities for the Chiefs. Chris Jones will most likely see more time on the outside, opposite Frank Clark. In the AFC Championship game against the Tennessee Titans, Jones played on the outside on early downs but would move to the inside on third down.
Jones has the ability and experience to play outside as he has shown. With the addition of Reed, Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can get creative with how to use Jones, knowing that Jarran Reed is on the inside. Reed has proven to be effective in the run game and in the pass rush.
The Chiefs wanted to improve the defensive line and they got their guy in Jarran Reed. Don’t forget, Melvin Ingram is still available and had a visit to Kansas City. The Chiefs defense got better this weekend and more moves could be on the horizon.
