{"id":16836,"date":"2017-03-29T12:28:50","date_gmt":"2017-03-29T16:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=16836"},"modified":"2017-04-02T13:57:31","modified_gmt":"2017-04-02T17:57:31","slug":"pittsburgh-steelers-draft-haason-reddick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/03\/29\/pittsburgh-steelers-draft-haason-reddick\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Draft Haason Reddick"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker <\/span>James Harrison<\/b><\/a> is among the greatest in franchise history, but the team needs to start looking towards the future. Temple linebacker Haason Reddick<\/strong> is that future.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Draft Haason Reddick<\/h2>\n

Entrenched Starters at Linebacker<\/h3>\n

James Harrison and <\/span>Bud Dupree<\/b><\/a>\u00a0were the Steelers starting outside linebackers this past season and as of right now remain the entrenched starters for next season. At 38 years old Harrison\u00a0is the elder statesman in the linebacking corps and he will be 39 before the season begins. Dupree is the younger of the two outside linebackers, but he missed most of last season with injury. In the few games Dupree ended up playing, he was an explosive presence, and Harrison was the veteran presence that is needed\u00a0in a young locker room. Harrison was an intimidating presence, but he should play more of a mentor role to a young pass rusher\u00a0this coming season\u00a0which seems to be one of his last. That young pass rusher should be Haason Reddick from Temple University.<\/span><\/p>\n

Combine\u00a0Statistics<\/h3>\n

Before college statistics are looked at, Combine measurables should be observed. In Indianapolis Reddick measured in at six-foot-one\u00a0and 237 pounds which is slightly undersized for a pass rusher. But Harrison was also considered undersized and he ended up being the best pass rusher in Steelers franchise history. <\/span>Reddick showcased his impressive athletic ability by\u00a0running a 4.52 40-yard dash, and posting a 36 \u00bd inch vertical leap, and a 133.0 inch broad jump. <\/span><\/p>\n

Comparable to Bud Dupree and James Harrison<\/h3>\n

Those numbers are similar to Dupree\u2019s Combine numbers. Dupree ran a 4.56 40-yard dash, and posted a 42 inch vertical leap, and 138.0 inch broad ,jump. There are traits of both Harrison and Dupree in Reddick; Reddick is considered undersized just like Harrison and is an athletic freak just like Dupree. Harrison could teach Reddick about his work ethic and show him how to even use his size as an advantage. If Reddick uses Harrison’s teachings well and combines them with his incredible athletic ability, the Steelers would have a freakishly athletic and dangerous duo of pass rushers. That could potentially be more dangerous than the days when the Steelers had\u00a0Kevin Greene<\/strong> <\/a>and\u00a0Greg Lloyd<\/strong> <\/a>terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last Word<\/span><\/h3>\n

Looking\u00a0about measurables is nice, but what translates to success in the NFL is how good at football a prospect is, and Haason Reddick is very good at football. Looking at his highlights, he showed excellent speed, instincts, and a nose for the ball. <\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=edUdNWjHDmQ<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In his senior year at Temple\u00a0Reddick was named First Team All-Conference for the AAC after posting 65 tackles and 9 \u00bd sacks. Players aren\u2019t named All-Conference if they aren\u2019t good at what they do. Reddick would not be drafted to start right away. He would get his fair share of snaps but his first season would mostly be an opportunity for him\u00a0to learn the nuances of the NFL game behind both\u00a0a Steelers legend and an up and coming star. The Steelers shouldn\u2019t draft Reddick to make an immediate impact, but they should\u00a0select him to plan for the future because he could be something special.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n