PurplePTSD: FA Fits: Haason Reddick Might Complement Vikings' 3-4 Defense

Press release from the PurplePTSD:

K. Joudry

2022-03-08

With Minnesota transitioning to a 3-4 defense, the expectation is that there will be some changes in the purple personnel. The most obvious area that needs improvement is at edge rusher. Danielle Hunter is a stud, though he has been hurt most of the past two seasons. Might Haason Reddick offer the Vikings the pass-rush help they need heading into 2022?

Haason Reddick and The Vikings Pass Rush

According to PFF, Reddick won’t fit every defense. To their mind, he is best-suited for a defense that will allow him to consistently attack:

Elsewhere, they note that Reddick’s “size limits what he can do schematically, but we’ve seen that a blitz-heavy defense can make use of his first step and quickness off the edge.” The highlights certainly suggest he has tremendous quickness.

NFL offensive tackles will always have a noticeable size advantage over Reddick. In the above video, though, you’ll see him do a nice job of getting his hands inside. From that starting point, Reddick is able to dip-and-rip as he turns the edge to get after Jalen Hurts. It’s a great rep from the FA edge rusher.

Take a look at the explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and rip move as he sacks Matt Ryan on this rep:

Obviously, these are mere brief snippets. There’s far more to being a great edge rusher than picking up sacks. Don’t forget, though, that last season he had a 70.4 run defense score on PFF, the 22nd-best mark.

The sack numbers will always get the most attention. After all, Reddick had 11 in 2021 and 12.5 in 2020. That kind of production will always get positive attention. Being able to also set the edge in the run game will make him a coach favorite, thus allowing him to stay on the field in all situations.

Closing Statement

The fine folks at PFF suggest that Haason Reddick will be inking a 3-year, $35 million deal. Depending on the guarantees and 2022 hit, that’s a scenario that could work well for Minnesota.

Reddick, as far as I can tell, is far from the perfect edge rusher. Nevertheless, he can succeed in the right role. If Ed Donatell sees someone who can create havoc by consistently showing off his speed and rip move coming off the edge, then Reddick is an option who makes some sense.

This press release was produced by the PurplePTSD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.