4 ‘cheap’ free agent defensive linemen Cleveland Browns could consider
By Josh Brown
3. Haason Reddick
Haason Reddick may be the highest risk/reward player in the market. Taken by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft out of Temple, Reddick had been atrocious until 2020. Well, the end of 2020 anyway.
During his first three seasons as a linebacker, Reddick missed a ton of tackles and could not cover anyone. He looked lost playing as a natural linebacker and was a clear first round bust. Then the Cardinals did something crazy and put Reddick on the edge. Well, this may not be as crazy as it sounds since Reddick was a defensive end in college and a good enough one to be taken in the first round.
The move seemed to work as over the last month of the season, Reddick was a force getting to the quarterback. He had five sacks in 47 snaps against the Giants and 7.5 over the last month of the season. He also caused six forced fumbles and had five tackles for loss over that same five-game stretch. So did Reddick have the best stretch of play in his career, or has he turned a corner in his newfound role? That is the risk.
When it comes to the Browns, most might say that Reddick’s 6-1, 235-pound frame is not meant to play end in a 4-3, and you would be accurate. One thing I noticed down the stretch is what defensive coordinator Joe Woods did with Vernon. He had him in a two-point stance more often. Garrett has also rushed off the edge standing up. It’s not impossible to still have the 4-3 or 4-2-5 with the end playing the edge standing up. Defenses are adjusting to being versatile and using players in all different ways.
If Reddick has the ability to get to the passer the way he did down the stretch in Arizona, you get him and use him at his best.
Contract prediction: One year $10.5 million fully guaranteed.