Baltimore Ravens legend Ed Reed has turned into an unlikely teaching tool for a future NBA standout.
Utah Jazz rookie Darryn Peterson said head coach Will Hardy had him study Reed as part of his effort to sharpen his defense, a cross-sport nod that instantly caught attention. The Jazz even highlighted the moment with a post that read, "Ed Reed mentality on defense 😤 @Ravens 🤝 #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/fZT313dEkT"
For Ravens fans who also follow basketball, it is the kind of crossover that makes you grin. The free safety idea has been floating around basketball talk for a while now, but Peterson being told to actually watch Reed takes it a step further. Reed is still the standard more than a decade after his retirement, and the fact that his game is being used as a model in another sport says plenty about how far his influence reaches.
Peterson, the No. 2 pick out of Kansas, already arrives with a scorer’s profile. He is a dynamic shooting guard who can hit tough shots and averaged 20.2 points in college.
That alone gives him a path to NBA success. But the bigger appeal is the possibility that he becomes a true two-way player.
That is where the Reed comparison starts to make sense. Peterson was disruptive away from the ball during his lone season at Kansas, averaging 2.0 stocks, which is steals plus blocks. In basketball terms, that kind of off-ball impact fits the same broad idea as a safety in football: reading the play, jumping lanes, and creating chaos as a help defender.
His on-ball defense is not yet a strength, but there is real room for him to grow into that free safety-style role. If he keeps developing there, he could separate himself from other players in his class.
Reed is the perfect name for that lesson. He finished his career with 64 interceptions and led the league in picks three times.
Just as important, he had a knack for appearing out of nowhere to wreck plays. That ball-hawking instinct, along with his football IQ, is a huge part of why he is remembered as one of the greats and as the face of the Ravens’ defensive identity.
There is also another layer to this for Peterson. His passion for the game was questioned at times because of nagging injury issues. Learning from Reed’s motor and intensity could help quiet those doubts, too.
However it plays out, the connection gives Peterson a useful blueprint and gives Ravens fans a fresh reason to keep an eye on his progress.
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