JACKSON: How Justin Reid fits Saints new-look defense
03/15/2025
By Ross Jackson
The biggest free agency acquisition of the New Orleans Saints offseason so far is without a doubt former Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid. The two-time Super Bowl champion joins a Saints defense under new leadership with freshly-hired defensive coordinator Brandon Staley now at the helm.
With several changes expected on defense, including a shift to a 3-4 scheme (to some extent), certain things are unsure. But one constant in a Staley defensive system is a strong and versatile safety. In Reid, the Saints signed their latest one.
Line of Scrimmage Play
Reid is a fierce and competitive player at the line of scrimmage. His position designates him as a safety, but he has taken a lot of snaps in the box as a nickel or dime linebacker, as well. Reid keys and diagnosis quickly on tape. Some of the most electrifying plays that he has made don’t include turnovers or interceptions, of which he has 10 in his career.
Instead, some of his most impressive plays come from his ability to diagnose plays as they develop in the backfield and trigger a response that limits yardage or even results in a loss.
Reid’s eyes are active and disciplined, rarely thrown by offensive trickery. He locks in on the ball and understands playflow, which comes from his seven years of experience. But one of the things that is most impressive to watch about him on film is his ability to “click and close.” Not only does he see the play developing ahead of him, but he has very little delay in transitioning what he’s picking up mentally to physical action. A great skill set to have when operating near the line of scrimmage.
Deep Coverage
Oftentimes, safeties that are as active and impactful near the trenches as Reid struggle when asked to cover deep. But the former Chief bucks that trend. Not only is he not a liability when covering the deep areas of the field, he’s a perfect fit for what it is that the Saints will look to do in 2025.
Justin Reid joins the Saints, who used split-safety coverage shells at the 6th-highest rate in the NFL in 2024 (48.4%).
When aligned in split-safety coverage last season, Reid allowed -4.3 receptions over expected on his targets, the fewest among safeties.@Saints | #Saints https://t.co/BdeP47ByNM pic.twitter.com/dtZkRoSBTk
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 12, 2025
While Next Gen Stats is working off of a defense previously run by former coach Dennis Allen, Staley’s system isn’t far off. The Los Angeles Chargers frequently used middle-of-field-open (split safety) looks at a relatively high rate in 2022 and 2023. In 2021, Staley’s defense was overwhelmingly focused on a deep middle-of-field safety. However, that trend has been lessened across the entire league.
The NFL has shifted to trying to limit explosive plays by leaving two safeties over the top and challenging opposing offenses to run. That fits the Saints’ approach moving forward as a team in 2024 that surrendered not only the run game (No. 31 against), but also explosive passing plays. New Orleans ranked T-No. 6 in passing plays of 20 or more yards surrendered and finished T-No. 4 in 40-plus yard passing plays given up.
It’s no wonder that the Saints saw Reid as a desirable fit after such an underwhelming performance against explosive plays in 2024. The safety gives them, along with another versatile player at the position, Tyran Matheiu, an effective playmaker in the secondary that possesses the ability to immediately impact two major flaws from the previous season.
Complementing Mathieu
Speaking of Mathieu, a former teammate of Reid’s in Houston, the two safeties should be an interesting tandem to watch. They both pack a ton of versatility and tenacity in their game. They should be an interesting and beneficial pairing for Staley who can lean in on their skills, rotating them or disguising their deployments all season long.
“I see myself as a physical tone setter,” Reid said when asked about how he and Mathieu would work together in the Saints’ defense. “Guys want to come down the hallway with me, you’re gonna have to pay the toll for it. And we just complement each other really well. We have a strong line of communication. Both cerebral players. Can organize the defense.”
