Temple’s Haason Reddick is an athlete that has been selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in several mock drafts this offseason. Reddick’s versatility and pure athleticism make him a fantastic fit for Pittsburgh’s defense. Some may say that he is too small to be an edge rusher, and is best suited for an inside linebacker role, but in all reality if the Steelers are on the clock at 30, and he is on the board, there is a great chance he will be selected even if he is not strictly an edge rusher due to his outstanding NFL Combine performance.

Reddick posted a record breaking distance for the best broad jump by a defensive linemen since 2003. He jumped 11-feet-1-inch and tops the list.

Haason Reddick had the longest broad jump at the combine (since 2003) by a defensive linemen @Temple_FB @Haason7Reddick pic.twitter.com/4j7yPvaOWs

— NFL Research (@NFLPlus) March 5, 2017

That record number is a little deceiving, considering he was grouped with defensive lineman, when in reality, he actually is a linebacker. Regardless, 11’1″ is an impressive number and would’ve been the #1 distance among all linebackers at the combine by a good margin, followed by Jabrill Peppers and TJ Watt at 10’8″.

(He doesn’t have the best broad jump among all Steelers linebackers however. Bud Dupree jumped 11’6″ in 2015, the fifth best number among all positions since 2003.)

The stellar numbers continued with his 40-yard dash time. He ran a 4.52, and in honor of this fantastic accomplishment for a 6-foot-1-inch linebacker that weighs 230 pounds, the NFL posted a simulation video where Reddick outran Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and Mike Evans.

All three are explosive offensive athletes.

.@Haason7Reddick outruns:
– @L_Bell26
– @AntonioBrown
– @MikeEvans13_

Are you kidding? #NFLCombine https://t.co/f4Wa2rHLmS

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 5, 2017

Needless to say, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah was very impressed with Reddick:

https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/838431200796516352

The good thing about putting on a show at the NFL Combine is that it improves the player’s draft stock. The bad thing, is that the player will most likely be selected before the Steelers are on the clock at pick number 30.

With Reddick’s potential draft is up in the air due to so people focusing on what position he is best suited for in the NFL; and if his small frame is going to make him a weak player at the next level. If you take a few minutes and just look at his tape, you will see that this athlete is filled with pure versatility that will make him suited at multiple positions on the defensive side of the football.

Heck, Reddick was a safety in high school.

He is capable of succeeding if a team needs a player of his caliber. He also wouldn’t be the first Temple University player the Steelers have drafted. Pittsburgh selected linebacker Tyler Matakevich in last year’s draft. He was a late round pick who proved to be a talented special teams player. (He also received a few goal line snaps last season when Ryan Shazier was injured.)

Reddick could be in the Steelers’ plans for 2017. According to Jon Ledyard, he met with the Steelers, and mentioned that he would really love to be on a defense with his former Temple teammate (Matakevich).

https://twitter.com/LedyardNFLDraft/status/838099878018449408

Matakevich tweeted that the Temple boys would like to prove everyone wrong in the pros. After Reddick put on a show at the combine, there is a legitimate chance that these two players could end up being fantastic starters at the NFL level.

Keep doubting us Temple boys, it's cool!! We just like to prove everyone wrong!! #TUFB #TUNation

— Tyler Matakevich (@44_Matakevich) March 5, 2017

If an athlete had a successful meeting with the team, and are still on the board, the organization could take a deeper look at them. Just remember that multiple players at every football position meet with NFL teams at the Combine. Teams were permitted to visit up to 60 players at the event, so it does not mean they are going to draft every player they meet with. (There’s only 53 spots on an NFL roster anyway.)

As for Reddick, he is a player that could end up being on the Steelers draft board due to how stellar his combine performance truly was. If he is on the board at 30, I would not mind the organization taking him, as he is a fantastic, versatile athlete.

What do you guys think about Reddick? Is he a perfect fit for the Steelers? Or is he too “undersized”? Leave a comment below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHT7DH_JqU8