Los Angeles Chargers undrafted rookie spotlight: CB Ryan Reid

Between the players the team drafted and those that were signed to undrafted free-agent deals, the Los Angeles Chargers have placed a strong emphasis on the secondary this offseason.

Cornerback Ryan Reid wasn’t even on the roster initially, but the team brought him in during OTAs after it had seen what it had. Apparently, the need to add another defensive back was present and the Chargers signed the former Baylor product.

Name: Ryan Reid

Height: 5’8.5″

Weight: 186 pounds

School: Baylor

Reid played in just four games as a freshman but was a three-year starter following that season. He recorded three interceptions in each of his last two seasons at the school, returning one for a touchdown as a senior. He also came up with 28 passes defensed during his time there.

Below is a video package containing his college career highlights.

In Los Angeles, he’ll join a secondary that is suddenly quite deep. The team has Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward entrenched as the starting cornerbacks, while Rayshawn Jenkins and Desmond King were both chosen in the draft to bolster the safety spot.

Undrafted rookie Michael Davis, who I profiled here, has already made an impression on the coaching staff this summer. Beyond that, Reid will also have to compete with undrafted rookies Brad Watson and Brandon Stewart to make the team.

Plus, Trovon Reed, Trevor Williams and Craig Mager are still around. That gives the Chargers 10 cornerbacks, 11 if you include King, who may also line up at that spot.

Reid will need to perform well in training camp in order to stick out in such a crowded group, but the Chargers obviously saw something in him to sign him over a month after the draft process concluded.

According to NFL Draft Scoutm, Reid posted solid numbers at the Baylor pro day, including a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and a 35.5-inch vertical jump. He had only 12 bench press reps of 225 pounds, but that’s about average for a player of his size.

My Take

The Chargers are certaily covering all bases when it comes to the cornerback position this offseason, which could allow the team to have quite an effective rotation at the postion.

When it comes to Reid, I think he may be too far behind the 8-ball when it comes to the 2017 season since the position is so deep.

I do expect one of the undrafted cornerbacks (Watson, Reid, Stewart) to compete for a spot on the final 53-man roster. Even if one of them were to make it, there’s only so many spots on the practice squad. Reid is certainly competing for a spot on that practice squad, at best, so he’ll need to do something to outshine guys like Watson and Stewart, two players who are probably more complete players than he is.

For now, I’d predict that Reid will be cut prior to the end of the preseason.

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