There might not be a player as unique as Haason Reddick in the NFL, let alone in this NFL free agency class. Going into his sixth season, Reddick has only truly been a pass rusher in the league for two of them. In those two seasons, he’s recorded 23.5 sacks. Unfortunately for his earning potential, he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals. See, the Cardinals fetishize tweener defenders in the NFL Draft. However, he should be able to cash in after his second consecutive high-production season as a primary rusher.
Haason Reddick’s free agent overview
Because of Reddick’s unique physique and play style, he is not a universal fit in the NFL. A few even-front teams use three hogs and a designated pass rusher like Reddick. But the more traditional odd front or 3-4 teams should all be on the phone with him. However, three teams make the most sense for Reddick.
Aside from his pint-sized stature, Reddick tested out of this world. He even posted the best broad jump of any defensive end prospect ever. His Relative Athletic Score is over a 9.0 despite landing in the fifth percentile for height and fourth percentile for weight. He’s also just 27, so he should have quite a few miles still left on his engine.
Reddick’s best landing spots
Which teams present the best win-win alignment? Three teams stick out.
New England Patriots
As the great Antoine Dodson once said, “Well, obviously.” New England released Kyle Van Noy, which leaves a glaring hole in the LB/EDGE room for the Patriots. Dodson would probably cock his head at me and say, “you are so dumb” for thinking the Patriots would actually pay an outside free agent on the defensive side of the ball. Maybe he’d be correct. But last season, they paid Matthew Judon. Maybe Bill Belichick is changing his stripes yet again.
Still, the Patriots’ defense only managed the 16th-best sack rate in 2021. Van Noy was second on the team with 5 sacks, and Deatrich Wise Jr. was third with 3 sacks. Bringing Reddick into the fold takes even more manpower away from Judon. It also offers the versatility in coverage that Belichick expects out of his hybrid linebackers.
Miami Dolphins
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The Dolphins’ divorce from Belichick disciple Brian Flores was the equivalent of a Judge Judy episode, but defensive coordinator Josh Boyer survived the coaching purge. The “Belichickian style” rushing linebacker fits best in Miami.
Emmanuel Ogbah is a free agent, and Andrew Van Ginkel shouldn’t move anybody’s needle. Reddick and second-year player Jaelan Phillips would form a terrifying young pass-rushing duo that Miami could build around for years to come if they ink a long-term deal with the former Temple Owl.
Los Angeles Chargers
Uchenna Nwosu is a good football player, but imagining Reddick in Nwosu’s role opposite of Joey Bosa gives me the patented James May “fizz.” The Chargers will inevitably let us down, as is the destiny each season, but they’ll do it in a more exciting manner defensively with Reddick!
In all seriousness, this is Reddick’s best fit. He won’t play in coverage nearly as much in Los Angeles as he would in Miami or New England. He’d be able to pin his ears back and take some pressure off Bosa. Bosa hasn’t had that luxury yet in his career.
Although Reddick won’t bring consistent production against the run as the Chargers need, they can find ways through the draft to mitigate that. He will also provide splash plays against the run.