From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Pitt RB Desmond Reid.
No. 0 Desmond Reid/RB Pittsburgh – 5062, 176 pounds (Senior)
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Desmond Reid 5062/176 8 1/4 28 1/8 69 3/4
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.60 1.58 4.27 7.20
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
10’0″ 35 N/A
THE GOOD
– Quick feet and impressive change of direction
– Makes cuts without losing speed and can have defenders grabbing air in tight quarters
– Natural hands catcher and good route runner, asset out of backfield
– Stouter pass protector than size suggests, plays big and stands tall against rushers with impressive reps
– Shows burst through the hole and can pop out into second level
– YAC threat, speed in space to create post-catch
– Has wheels to catch the corner against defenders
– Great ball security despite lack of size/hand size
– Versatile to contribute all over offensively and on special teams
The Bad
– One of the draft’s smallest players with poor hand size; smaller than listed height (5-8)
– Goes down easily on contact when defenders get arms on him
– East/West running mentality and wants to bounce carries too often, leaving yards on the field
– Poor in scramble drills and doesn’t work to get back into quarterback’s vision
– Lacks kick-return background, and punt-return scores occurred versus lesser competition
– History of nagging injuries, especially to lower body/ankle
– Down 2025 year marred by injuries, with poor rushing production
Stats
– FBS career: 244 rushes for 1,244 yards (5.1 YPC), and 7 TDs with 75 receptions for 896 yards (11.0 YPR), and 6 TDs across 18 games (two seasons)
– FBS career: 18 punt returns (14.7 average) and two touchdowns (one in 2024 vs. Kent State, one in 2025 vs. Duquesne)
– 2025: 60 carries for 278 yards (4.6 YPC) and 2 TDs with 23 receptions for 317 yards (13.8 YPR), and 2 TDs across seven games
– 839 offensive snaps with Panthers (714 backfield, 70 as receiver in slot or split out
– Pro Football Focus’ No. 69 overall grade among 279 qualifiers (No. 2 receiving, No. 202 rushing)
– 132 zone runs, 103 gap runs while at Pitt (274 zone, 212 gap in entire college career)
– 250 carries for 1,723 yards (6.9 YPC) and 17 TDs, plus 42 receptions for 495 yards and 1 TD in two combined years at Western Carolina (no return work)
– One career fumble in entire college career (2023 while at Western Carolina)
– Rushed for over 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns senior year of HS, adding two KR touchdowns
Injury History
– 2023: didn’t finish game against Chattanooga due to injury and missed games against Mercer and Wofford later in the season
– 2024: missed two games (Youngstown State, Boston College) due to injury
– 2025: lower-body injury sustained against West Virginia caused him to miss next two games
– 2025: ankle injury and didn’t finish game against NC State
– 2025: ankle injury after being tackled against Notre Dame, missing rest of season
Bio
– Turns 22 in July 2026
– Three-star recruit from Miami Gardens, Florida
– Spent 2022-2023 at Western Carolina, 2024-2025 at Pitt; followed WCU OC Kade Bell to the Panthers
– Zero FBS offers, chose Western Carolina over South Dakota
– Cited lack of size as reason why he didn’t have strong college interest
– Opted out for 2025 bowl game, offering critical tweet during game that sparked backlash
– First team All-ACC selection in 2024 as all-purpose player
– Goes by “Dez”
– Led local children’s initiative called “Reid Aloud,” donating books and reading to kids at The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and Lemieux Family Center
– Ran track throughout high school (100/200m and relays)
– Younger brother, Tyler, committed to Pitt as a running back
– Grew up Eagles fan and loved watching LeSean McCoy
Tape Breakdown
Desmond Reid spent two years at the FCS level for Western Carolina before following his Catamounts offensive coordinator to Pitt. Reid burst on the scene with an impressive 2024 season before injuries marred his 2025 campaign.
Though undersized, Reid has quick feet and a great burst. He can make players miss in tight areas, and he shows burst once he finds open grass.
Reid is a strong receiver who was arguably more impressive catching the ball than he was running with it. He gets yards after the catch and is best in space.
Most will knock him in pass protection, and his lack of size is an obvious concern. But he showed plenty of fight and plus reps, not backing down, staying square, and taking on blocks with gusto. He’s short and light but fairly muscular and makes the most of his frame. This first clip is an A-plus rep.
He’ll also help out in punt returns and was a true do-it-all player at Pitt. Negatively, his ability as a runner is limited by a predictable lack of power. He can quickly go down on contact.
Reid tends to over rely on his speed and prefers to bounce runs wide. That gets him in trouble, even if his speed is very good (far better than the 4.6 he posted – perhaps his lingering injuries hampered those times).
Conclusion
Overall, Desmond Reid is a versatile piece with good speed, hands, and punt return value. His pass protection was solid, especially compared to most players of his frame. He won’t have an every-down role, and part-time players like him have come and gone before. A team willing to lean on his pass game chops and trust him in pass protection (he’s going to have to play on passing downs to showcase his best value), he could stick around.
My NFL comp is one borrowed from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein – Tarik Cohen.
NFL Projection: Late Day Three-Undrafted
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 6.3 ST V (Pure Backup)
Grade Range: 5.7-6.6
Games Watched: vs West Virginia (2024), vs NC State (2025), vs Notre Dame (2025), Punt Return Cutup
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