Detroit Lions: Caraun Reid impresses at OTAs
By Mike Dallas
2014 fifth-round pick Caraun Reid impressed head coach Jim Caldwell and defensive coordinator Teryl Austing at Detroit Lions OTAs this week.
If you haven’t heard of Caraun Reid, it is time to become familiar with him. Reid was selected in the fifth-round out of Princeton in 2014 and recorded just two tackles in 12 games as a rookie last season.
Playing behind Ndamukong Suh, C.J. Mosley and Nick Fairley, Reid did not have a lot of opportunity to showcase his talents. With Suh and Fairley gone, it could possibly be Reid’s time in 2015.
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The Detroit Lions wrapped up their OTAs (Organized Team Activities) this week and surprise, surprise, Reid has made significant strides to getting more snaps in when the regular season starts.
Now, most people know OTAs are pretty much a “knock off the rust but don’t get hurt” kind of thing. But, for players like Reid it’s a good opportunity to show the coaches you’re still around and could possibly bring something valuable to the team and that’s what he did.
Last season, strength was one of the knocks on Reid. He took note of that and went to the weight room and added four pounds of muscle, bringing him to 306.
Reid is not guaranteed the spot next to offseason addition, Haloti Ngata and expectations are high for the No. 2 ranked defense. However, Reid got most of the work with the first-team defense during the OTA’s.
Aug 28, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Caraun Reid (97) on the bench during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Competition amongst the big men will be tough. Free agent signing, Tyrunn Walker and fourth-round pick, Gabe Wright will be coming for the number two spot as well.
Right now, it’s likely that Walker will be lined up next to Ngata once the season starts and Reid is competing for an off the bench, substitution role. If Reid continues to impress coaches, he could grab the other starting role.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin took notice to how hard Reid has been working.
“He’s trained really hard, he’s in really good shape.” Austin told Detroitlions.com “He looks good right now. Obviously, we’ll have to wait and see once we get to pads where we are, but I like what he’s done so far.”
It’s only May and there’s still a long way to go and once the pads come on it’s a whole new ball game. Reid was also a part of the Detroit’s under-performing 2014 rookie class. But it’s fair to give Reid a pass, after all he was competing with the best defensive tackle in football and one of the best offensive lines in football.
Not a lot is expected of Reid which can be a good thing and if he can mirror his Princeton numbers, he’ll be a pleasant surprise for Detroit.
Reid was the anchor at Princeton. He finished with 168 tackles, 20.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, 10 defended passes and one interception. Princeton did not have the most daunting schedule, but Reid was productive and caused problems on the field against the competition.
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