PHILADELPHIA – With the No. 13 pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected Haason Reddick, a linebacker from Temple.
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Here's some information on Reddick's draft profile from NFL.com:
Reddick's athleticism has blossomed over the past two seasons for the Owls. The former high school running back and safety showed flashes as a pass rusher in his redshirt freshman (14 tackles, four for loss, one sack) and sophomore (23 tackles, seven TFL, 1.5 sacks) seasons. Reddick and teammate Dion Dawkins got into trouble for an assault outside a Philadelphia nightclub in March 2015, but was not suspended. He was selected for honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference honors that year, starting 12 times, making 45 tackles, 12.5 for loss, and five sacks. The Camden, New Jersey native garnered first-team all-conference recognition for head coach Matt Rhule as a senior, finishing third in the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss and leading the Owls with 10.5 sacks.
Strengths
Explosive, quick-twitch athlete. Great flexibility with loose hips to turn, twist, and chase. Excellent reactive quickness and change-of-direction agility. Dynamic playmaker in space. Locks onto targets and instantly accelerates to the ball. Finished 2016 regular season with 21.5 tackles for loss. Fluid mover around field. Has chase range over extended territory. Eyes work past blockers and into backfield. Slips and slides around the edge and through small creases. Always working feet into improved positioning after contact. Came in as a defensive back and has experience on all three levels. Has athleticism in space and necessary instincts to be legit cover talent as linebacker. Rushes with good bend and forward lean. Difficult to handle on tackle/end twists back inside. Turns corner with tight track to quarterback once he pries the edge open.
Weaknesses
Undersized by NFL standards for position he's currently playing. Labors to disengage once size is on top of him. Will need more play strength to ward off NFL blockers. Improving with hands, but needs to continue technique work to control blockers. Lacks necessary bulk, length, and play strength to set a strong edge as an NFL 3-4 outside linebacker. Marginal speed-to-power ability. Connects and sticks to tackles when trying to bull-rush under their pads. Pass rush reliant upon athletic talent and cursory hand play. Needs more diversified rush plans. Slides off of too many tackles. Missed 16 tackles over final two seasons at Temple. Needs to chest-up and run feet through contact. Played in fewer than 70 percent of team's defensive snaps.
Expectations
Draft projection: Round 1
NFL comparison: Ryan Shazier
Injuries limited Reddick to just four games over last two years of high school, forcing him to walk on at Temple. The Owls staff helped him unlock his explosive athletic traits on the field, which resulted in three forced fumbles, 9.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in 2016. Reddick's speed and athleticism might give him a greater shot at impacting the game as a 3-4 inside linebacker or a 4-3 WILL rather than trying to bulk up and play the edge. An ascending prospect with a high-end potential if he can continue to hone his craft.
-- Lance Zierlein