Arizona Cardinals Buy or Sell: Haason Reddick wins Defensive Rookie of the Year
By Tyler Olson
From defensive lineman in college to linebacker in the NFL, could Arizona Cardinals rookie Haason Reddick compete for Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Defense wins championships. It’s a cliche that gets thrown around all the time especially in the NFL. There are none, however, that ring more true and Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim knows it. That’s why he chose Temple edge rusher Haason Reddick with the 13th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Regardless, it was a move that shocked some, including myself. Many wanted the quarterback of the future and some wanted a new stud that would ultimately take over for Larry Fitzgerald at receiver. Instead, thanks to other draft-day moves and a strong offseason, it was Reddick that found a new home in the desert.
It’s not an easy transition and the front office knew it. Reddick proved to be an athletic freak and a workhorse throughout the draft process, but they knew he wouldn’t be successful as an edge rusher in the NFL. Instead he’ll be joining a now crowded room at linebacker with likes of Karlos Dansby and Deone Bucannon along with Markus Golden, Chandler Jones and Jarvis Jones on the outside.
It’s a group of talented linebackers in Arizona. Reddick will have to preform well enough throughout training camp to warrant any early playing time. Fortunately for him, he’s been able to showcase his skill set throughout minicamp and OTAs already due to Bucannon’s ankle surgery in May. That’s given his new teammates and coaching staff a solid first look.
Defensive coordinator James Bettcher has already given his thoughts to the media (per Arizona Sports) on Reddick. During mandatory minicamp in the beginning of June, Bettcher was quoted saying:
"“He’s very instinctive — much more instinctive, maybe, than any other player I’ve been around in my going on 15 years of coaching. As a guy who played a different position and is now learning a new position, (he) plays instinctively at a new position he’s really never played before.”"
Reddick’s largest obstacle will be how well he transitions to the new position. Although Bettcher makes it seem like Reddick is catching on quick we won’t know until he’s thrown into live action, which’ll be in the NFL Hall of Fame game on Aug. 3.
It’s not vital that Reddick starts if he’s going to win Rookie of the Year. Take it from Joey Bosa last season. In just 11 starts and only 12 games played, Bosa walked away with the award. He is, however, the last player to win the award playing in less than 16 games since Shawne Merriman in 2005.
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As long as Reddick receives consistent snaps in Bettcher’s defense, he’ll have a strong opportunity to win. While his best attribute is blitzing the passer, he’s clearly shown enough athleticism to drop back in coverage. It’s safe to assume this is a buy situation for Redick winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2017.