Marcel Reed NFL Draft Scouting Report
Marcel Reed is an electric and dynamic dual-threat quarterback who can make game-changing plays with his legs while also utilizing his arm to keep defenses balanced.
Draft Grade: Round 3 - Adequate Starter
Strengths:
Athleticism:Reed is an elite-level athlete at the quarterback position, which helps him create explosive plays running the football and as a passer.
Speed:Reed has top-end speed that makes him an X-factor threat running the football.
Arm Strength:Reed appears to have good overall arm strength and velocity on his throws, especially driving the football in the intermediate portions of the field.
Creativity:Because of Reed’s athleticism, he can create explosive plays out of structure, whether it's simply using his instincts or reacting to a play breaking down.
Concerns:
Decision-Making: Reed takes risks as a quarterback, which at times results in negative plays.
Reading Coverages:There are moments throughout the game in which Reed will force the football into coverages because he appears to be misreading the coverage.
Marcel Reed Summary/Projection:
Marcel Reed is a redshirt sophomore prospect for the Texas A&M Aggies. Reed is a two-year starter for the Aggies who has brought high energy and playmaking ability to the Texas A&M quarterback position, something that this program has needed for quite a few years. Reed's high-end plays are based on his elite athleticism at the quarterback position and how that athleticism serves as the foundation for his production as both a runner and a passer.
Reed is a dynamic, electric dual-threat quarterback whose athletic ability instantly jumps off the tape. With the ball in his hands, he is a reliable offensive weapon that must be accounted for defensively on every single snap. With Reed at the quarterback position, all styles and variations of QB run plays are available, from QB power working in between the tackles to a QB sweep where he can utilize his speed and beat defenders to the outside. Reed has top-end acceleration as a quarterback and the ability to rip off big plays on the ground for touchdowns. Reed's ability to run the ball is not only about his straight-line speed but also his lateral agility. Reed can make multiple defenders miss in tight, condensed spaces and is a flat-out tough tackle for defenders in the open field. Reed will almost always win a one-on-one situation in the open field.
As a passer, Reed’s plus traits are the velocity with which he throws the ball and his ability to make off-script plays. Reed can play on time and in rhythm and deliver passes in the short, intermediate, and deep portions of the field. Reed, as a thrower, has the velocity to drive the ball into tight windows consistently, and he throws the ball with confidence. Outside of the pocket, Reed has the arm talent to make off-platform throws and change arm angles to release the football. Reed becomes a pure creator out of structure, and there is an element of randomness to his game when he escapes the pocket. Reed relies on his athleticism and arm strength in chaotic situations, understanding that he has the physical tools to turn a chaotic situation into a positive situation offensively.
Reed's improvements as a player have to do with his development as a passer. Reed's accuracy will waver on occasion, and he will miss targets that are fairly easy completions. Reed's deep ball accuracy also needs improvement, as it appears that he pushes the ball vertically but does not throw the ball with accuracy all the time.
Reed also needs to improve his identification of coverages. There are moments throughout the game where it appears that defenses are able to disguise coverages enough for Reed to misread the defense and throw the ball into harm's way for an interception.
