Via Last Word On Pro Football, by Parker Hurley
Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 237 pounds
School: Temple Owls
Haason Reddick 2017 NFL Draft Profile
Haason Reddick missed the majority of his last two seasons of high school due to injuries. It left him completely off of the recruiting track. He ended up walking on at Temple, and from there, he turned into an NFL draft darling. Reddick was a former safety and running back turned defensive end in college. Given the injuries and position changes from high school, it did take Reddick some time to catch on.
In his first two seasons, he combined for 38 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and three sacks. He started to show athletically and as he learned the position he became a full-time starter by his junior season. Reddick opened his junior season with a sack and a half, and four tackles in the Owls big upset win over in-state rival Penn State. Reddick took off from there, starting every game, and compiling 46 tackles, 13 for loss and five sacks.
However, his senior year was his best. Reddick put up 65 tackles, 22 for loss, and 9.5 sacks. He was on the national radar, and was awarded by making the All-AAC team and the Senior Bowl roster. Reddick played a lot of inside linebacker in Senior Bowl practices, and walked away as one of the winners of the week, having all of the scouts raving. What does this mean to his draft stock, and where is his best position? Here is our scouting report on Haason Reddick.
Strengths
- Great athlete.
- Can play in space and drop into coverage well.
- has the speed to chase down running backs off of the edge.
- Able to play against the run down hill and in the box.
- Quick feet.
- Takes great angles.
Weaknesses
- Too small to consistently play on the edge.
- Doesn’t have the pass rushing arsenal to play on the edge.
- Likely will have to be an off-ball linebacker, where he only played in limited time.
- Not as much experience in man coverage.
- Not the most sure of a tackler yet.
NFL Comparison: Bruce Irvin
Teams with needs at position: Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, New York Giants
Projection: late first to early second round
Bottom Line
Reddick is interesting because where he likely will play in the NFL is where he only played in a minimum role in college. Most of his snaps off of the ball came when spying the opposing quarterback. He did show that he has the ability to run sideline to sideline, and can read plays, change directions and make tackles against the run.
He has only dropped into coverage as a zone defender, but can guard tight ends and running backs. While he is not experienced in defending the pass, you can argue that his pass rush is his weakest skill on the edge as well. He does not have many moves and typically relies on his speed and athletic bend to get past offensive lineman. He does not play with strength and does not have any counter moves.
It may take time, but being a former safety, turned defensive end, turned linebacker, he has been a pretty fast learner through the process. If someone is looking for a high upside pick, with a somewhat risky reward, Reddick will certainly be on the table. The question will be when and where he can play, and could slide him deeper into the second round, but after his great Senior Bowl, he is a great combine away from being a first round lock.
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