ARIZONA CARDINALS

ESPN tabs Cardinals’ Haason Reddick as rookie who landed with ‘perfect team’

May 3, 2017, 2:42 PM

Arizona Cardinals' first-round draft pick Haason Reddick waits to speak while being introduced at t...

Arizona Cardinals' first-round draft pick Haason Reddick waits to speak while being introduced at the teams' training facility, Friday, April 28, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. Reddick was the 13th overall pick in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

The Arizona Cardinals absolutely fell in love with Temple linebacker Haason Reddick during the months leading up to the draft.

And, as luck would have it, things in front of them fell just right last Thursday night, allowing the team to pick Reddick with the 13th overall selection of the NFL Draft.

“He checked every box at the Combine,” general manager Steve Keim said after picking Reddick. “His workout was off the charts. At the Senior Bowl, he stepped in with all the top talent, played different positions and dominated. So again, he checked every box and then when you talk about the character and those sort of things, he was an ‘A’ football character, he loves it. All the connections we had at Temple, everybody signed off on this kid.

“It was a pretty easy pick.”

It’s pretty much agreed upon that Arizona did pick up a dynamic talent, but team fit is so important when it comes to young players becoming successful. ESPN’s Matt Bowen believes that’s a plus for the Cardinals as well.

Wednesday, Bowen published an article highlighting newly-drafted rookies he feels landed with perfect teams. Reddick’s name was one of nine mentioned in the piece.

The Cardinals’ defense highlights defenders who can play in space, attack the run game and also get home to the quarterback. At the Senior Bowl, Reddick displayed those same traits during one-on-ones and team drills. This guy was a star in Mobile. He did it all. Fast and athletic.

As a rookie, Reddick (6-1, 237 pounds) should carve out a productive role as a key sub-package defender for the Cardinals. He has the speed (4.52 40) to get sideline to sideline and the physicality to hit the run game in the mouth. And with his experience as a college defensive end, Reddick shows the acceleration and technique to produce as an edge rusher.

Also mentioned by Bowen were Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey, Myles Garrett and Jabrill Peppers of Cleveland, Jamal Adams of the Jets, Tampa Bay’s O.J. Howard, Green Bay’s Kevin King and Dalvin Cook of Minnesota.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

ESPN tabs Cardinals’ Haason Reddick as rookie who landed with ‘perfect team’