IDP 20/20: Haason Reddick

Welcome to the IDP 20/20 series. Alongside our offensive Dynasty Scouts coverage, we will also be profiling and providing 20 facts you must know about 15 of the top incoming IDP rookies in the class.

1.) Name – Haason Reddick

2.) College – Temple

3.) Height/Weight – 6-foot-1, 237 pounds

4.) Birthdate – September 22nd, 1994 (22)

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5.) Class – Senior

6.) College Stats – 

2016: 65 tackles, 43 solo, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks

2015: 46 tackles, 29 solo, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks

2014: 24 tackles, 16 solo, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks

2013: 14 tackles, 11 solo, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack

7.) NFL Draft round projection – Late first, early second; probably a top-50 pick

8.) Current NFL comp – NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Reddick to Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, due to both of their versatility as coverage men, pass-rushers, and interior tacklers. Reddick’s explosive burst and relentless pass-rush moves make his undersized frame unconcerning as a 3-4 inside linebacker. Both are excellent movable chess pieces for a defensive guru to play with.

9.) Best possible destination – Kansas City Chiefs.

The two-gapping scheme creates plenty of tackle chances for his inside linebackers, and with Derrick Johnson possibly in the last year of his career (at least as a starter) there is less pressure for the developing Reddick to start and play every down, but early-career chance for him to see the field in the pros. He also provides the versatility complement to Ramik Wilson’s thumper role, which helps each not chew into the other’s production.

10.) Worst possible destination – Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A 4-3 scheme is fine for Reddick’s skills, but his size means he’d likely have to play the WILL. Tampa Bay happens to have one of the best weak-side linebackers in the game in Lavonte David? Even if he were to then play MIKE, budding star Kwon Alexander is there now too.

11.) Best current skill – Versatility.

Give Reddick a job and he will do it well. He may not go in the first round of the NFL Draft due to not being a superstar in any one area, but he has so much experience and so many abilities that he will be a big NFL contributor when he gets there. His edge speed and vision in the pass-rush, his range and instincts in coverage, and pursuit as a tackler are great across the board. He’s what everyone wants Jabrill Peppers to be.

12.) Skill that needs to be improved – Play strength.

Reddick beats blockers with his speed and tenacity, but needs to convert that better to power when takes them on. Disengaging from blocks is an important thing for a successful college pass-rusher to translate to the pros, and improved hand fighting will also be crucial for Reddick in this area.

13.) Projected dynasty value – Reddick is safely in the second tier of this linebacker draft class, mostly because we don’t know what his eventual team will do with him yet. If he earns a valuable ILB or a 4-3 WILL role, he’s a top five linebacker rookie for sure. If he’s a 3-4 OLB, he’s much less interesting. The wild-card here is if he goes to a 4-3 team that tries to convert him back to a defensive end, he is compelling in talent but might not fit the role.

14.) Humble beginnings – Reddick began as a walk-on cornerback/safety at Temple before being developed into a defensive end, then being moved to a blitzing linebacker, and finally being tried out as an inside linebacker at the Senior Bowl this year.

15.) Stutter-Steppin’ – Among the 29 NCAA defensive linemen this year to rack up 15 tackles for a loss or more, Reddick’s yards lost per TFL was tenth-fewest. His yards lost per sack were 13th-lowest out of 30 defensive linemen with nine or more sacks. This indicates his suddenness in the pass-rush; opponents don’t get time to try to elude him before he brings them down.

16.) Stack ‘em up – Reddick is one of just 39 NCAA players to top 10 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss, and 40 solo tackles in a season since 2000. In the last five years, some other notable names have done this: Jamie Collins, Jadeveon Clowney, Anthony Barr, Aaron Donald, and Hau’oli Kikaha.

17.) Need for speed – Reddick is projected to run a 4.54 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine this year. If he does so at his Senior Bowl weigh-in of 237 pounds, he will have a Speed Score (weight-adjusted 40 time) better than that of NFL superstars Luke Kuechly, Dont’a Hightower and Kwon Alexander.

18.) Swinging strike – Over his last two years at Temple, Reddick missed a total of 16 tackles. He needs to improve his wrap-up ability and bring down his targets.

19.) Strap an Advil on it – Reddick played just four games his last two years of high school, which is why he had to walk on in college. He’s also never played in more than 70 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, so questions about his durability have to be answered.

20.) X-Ray vision – Reddick’s many tackles for a loss and sacks are a by-product of incredible play diagnosing and reactions. He’s not a guesser; he plays with his eyes up and sniffs out teams’ trickery. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself.

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