Dynamic playmaker Haason Reddick has reportedly visited the Washington Redskins. Could the linebacker be a target with the team’s No. 17 overall pick?
Coming into the 2017 offseason, there was no doubt that the Washington Redskins had a major need at the linebacker position. Will Compton and Mason Foster had done decent as starters, but Compton was a liability in run support. The team needed a dynamic playmaker to really help out at the position. While some thought that Zach Brown would complete the team’s linebacker corps, they seem to have other ideas.
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According to the NFL Network, Haason Reddick has visited the Redskins. Reddick is a fast rising prospect who seems like a top 20 lock at this point in the draft process. His performance in the Senior Bowl and his excellent performance at the NFL Combine have skyrocketed him into this position after he had a good career at Temple.
As a senior in 2016, Reddick posted career highs in sacks with 9.5, tackles for loss with 22.5, and he recorded his first interception as well. The most impressive thing that Reddick was able to do was forced three fumbles. He has a nose for the football and really was a threat to opposing players.
Reddick worked mostly as a defensive lineman for the Owls, but he has experience playing at linebacker. His athleticism should allow him to smoothly transition to that position.
The Combine only reaffirmed Reddick’s potential. He blazed a 4.52 second 40 yard dash and logged 24 reps on the bench press. He looked fluid in the drills, and his ability to smoothly and quickly change directions should allow him to succeed in coverage.
But There Are Some Risks With Him
The major problem with Reddick is the fact that he is going to be making a position switch at the next level. Because Reddick has a 6-foot-1, 230 pound frame, he is going to have limited positions to play. He cannot be a defensive end, and playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense might be hard.
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Because of this, he would have to play the middle linebacker position in the Redskins defense. That is doable for him, but the position is extremely different from the one that he played during his college days. Because of that, there would be a big learning curve and he could struggle early in his career as a result.
I tend to think that Reddick would best fit as a 4-3 outside linebacker. In that role, he could function as a Bruce Irvin-esque player who can rush the passer but also play well in coverage. That is why I had Reddick going to the Raiders with the No. 24 overall pick in my most recent mock draft. He could fit in a 3-4 defense, but the 4-3 defense just seems like a more natural position for him.
At the end of the day, there is a chance that Reddick could be the best player available when the Redskins are picking. They could use another dynamic linebacker, and Reddick could be the type of guy that they want. Though there are some risks, mostly due to the positional change, Reddick could be a solid contributor. Expect him to be one of the top targets for the Redskins when the NFL Draft rolls around.