04/30/2012 - A closer look at the Chargers' picks: Round 2/49 - Kendall Reyes, DE, 6-4, 295, Connecticut...Reyes, in the Chargers' 3-4, is headed toward defensive end. With the team unsure about Luis Castillo's return from a leg injury and the inexperience of Vaughn Martin, Reyes could hit the field sooner than later. - The Sports Xchange
Reyes played both end and tackle in college and didn't impress scouts as a pass rush threat until he outplayed some of the best offensive linemen in the country at the Senior Bowl.
He has good short-area quickness and will win most fights in a phone booth. This ability was demonstrated at the Combine, where he hoisted 225 pounds 36 times and surprised scouts with an unofficial 40 time of 4.79. Teams still appreciate his consistency against the run more than his threat as a pass rusher, however.
Reyes arrived at Connecticut as a 245-pound, three-sport prep star (including basketball and track) and developed into a big body without losing his quickness and agility. He started 42 games at UConn and finished with 31.5 tackles for a loss, 10th in school history.
Analysis
Pass rush: Does not get a lot of sacks, but provides some interior pressure and will make quarterbacks pay for holding onto the ball for too long. Flashes the ability to bull his man into the backfield and split double teams. Takes advantage of lunging lineman to rip off and harass the quarterback. Gets his big hands up to block passes if unable to beat his man, also follows quarterback on moving pockets and sniff out screens. Not an elite pass rusher, though, due to a lack of closing speed and inconsistent quickness off the snap.
Run defense: Flashes the strength to stack and shed, move down the line to chase running backs in either direction from inside. Agile enough to avoid cut block with hands and sidestep, get into the backfield. Keeps eyes in the backfield to get a piece of ballcarriers coming inside. Gets low quickly to get under offense linemen in short-yardage situations. Plays too high at times, however, gets carried downfield or put to the ground by better lineman when losing the leverage battle.
Explosion: Flashes enough quickness off the snap to threaten gaps at three-technique, especially when slanting. Also shows a punch to stop blockers, but is not yet consistent enough with that and his hand placement to control veteran NFL linemen.
Strength: Growing frame gives him great potential to play inside at the next level. Still learning to use his mass inside to leverage offensive lineman, but shows the ability to force his way through one-on-one blocks and double-teams with powerful leg action and violent hands.
Tackling: Length and strong upper-body make him difficult to escape once he gets to the ball. Fair hustle, moves off block to chase to the sideline or inside when the back is in sight. Inconsistent closing speed and break-down to grab backs coming his direction. Better short-area quickness to wrap up ballcarriers in his immediate vicinity, lacks long foot speed to do more than chase them into other defenders' arms. Stamina is a question mark, considerably fresher at the beginning of each half.
Intangibles: Two-time team captain who teammates commend on his work ethic. Has added weight through diet and weight room work while maintaining size-relative athleticism. Durable, versatile player. No known character issues or off-field incidents.
