Haason Reddick Inks Deal With Arizona Cardinals
By Jeremy Meek
Haason Reddick has signed his rookie contract with the Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals added seven players through the 2017 NFL Draft, and now all seven of them are under contract. The team has announced that linebacker Haason Reddick has agreed to his deal, officially making him a Cardinal.
A college defensive end, Reddick’s stock exploded this offseason, after he blew up workouts. He registered off the charts numbers, and began to fly up draft boards. Once draft day rolled around, he didn’t have to wait long to hear his name. The Cardinals pulled the trigger with the 13th overall selection.
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Reddick made a name for himself even before the Combine, by dominating in his final season at Temple. He totaled 9 1/2 sacks and 22 1/2 tackles for a loss in 2016. He’ll be changing positions, to inside linebacker, as a pro, but it’s expected to be a natural move.
With speed to move sideline to sideline, and the instincts to hunt down ball carriers, Reddick has the potential to start from day one in Arizona. There will be questions about his ability to take on ball carriers, but he has always been up to the challenge.
Reddick had to walk on at Temple, and wasn’t even a defensive lineman. He beat all the odds, and was one of college football’s best players by the end of last season. With his contract signed, he can now concentrate on translating those athletic traits to the NFL, and his new position. For his part, Reddick seems ready.
With offseason programs having already started, Reddick has been getting time with the vets, working with the first team quite a bit. The Cardinals lost Kevin Minter to free agency, so there’s an opportunity to play as a rookie. With his four-year rookie deal signed, the real work can begin.