With Rashan Gary out for the rest of the season, Preston Smith hurting and Kenny Clark fading, the Green Bay Packers needed someone to emerge as a pass-rusher, and it appears veteran Jarran Reed is willing and capable.
Over the last three games, Reed ranks eighth among defensive linemen in total pressures (10) and second in quarterback hits (six), per PFF, and he now has 20 total pressures this season, good for the fourth-most on the Packers defense.
Reed is starting to win more and more, and his pressures late against the Dallas Cowboys helped provide huge stops as Matt LaFleur’s team mounted a comeback and eventually won in overtime.
Reed delivered three quarterback hits on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, including one on fourth down in overtime that led to the Packers getting the ball and eventually marching down the field for the game-winning field goal.
The Packers will need to manufacture pressure in different ways with Gary sidelined for the season. It doesn’t help that Smith is dealing with a combination of neck, shoulder and groin injuries, and Clark – for whatever reason – hasn’t been nearly as disruptive as he was over the first month of the season.
On one of Reed’s pressure against the Cowboys, he beat the right guard with a quick swim move and nearly had Prescott in the end zone for a safety. The play still resulted in a sack inside the 5-yard line.
Later, Reed’s pressure against the left guard resulted in a hurried throw underneath on third down, creating a punting situation in the fourth quarter.
His biggest play came in overtime. Reed beat the left guard again with his hands, cut inside the center and forced Prescott into a wild, desperate heave on fourth down. Reed had Prescott wrapped up and going to the ground while he was throwing the ball. It might have been a sack. Either way, the Cowboys turned the ball over and the Packers marched for the game-winning points.
The Packers signed Reed to a one-year deal worth just over $3 million. As Reed emerges as an impact pass-rusher down the stretch, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is getting more and more value out of that offseason addition.