Why the widespread man-crushes on Hassan Reddick...?

[lukkynumber13]

I don't get the mad love for Hassan Reddick. He's getting consistently mocked in the 1st round, oftentimes in the top 15, to teams like Cincy & Indy.

Based on what?? The dude was an undersized DE in college, who is probably too small to even be a 3-4 OLB in the pros, but because he showed well @ the senior bowl and he's athletic, we are assuming he is the 2nd coming of Lavonte David or something? I desperately hope that my Colts don't sniff him in the 1st round, and honestly I'd prefer a lot of other prospects over him even midway through the 2nd round of the NFL draft.

What am I missing? Since when do NFL teams spend premium draft capital on off-ball LBs who are projects at the position?!

[Coogan Football]

I don't get it either. I actually didn't even think he stood out down here, if anything Alex Anzalone was the best looking LB we had attending.

[Dyno_7]

Had a great combine and it's got a few people reshuffling their LB rankings. He played DE for Temple, I think that's why people are mocking him as a 3-4 OLB. I actually think he could make a much better 4-3 Will. He could sneak late in the first if a team loves him, but I think he'll go day 2. Great athleticism (started as a safety before moving to DE), but learning a new position will stunt his production out of the gate.

[pierson242]

As a Bengals fan, please dont take him in the first. Hes not a bad player just nothing flashy. If he falls a few rounds then yea why not but he has not shown anything to be picked that high IMO

[bruiser]

I'll dive right in here, Lukky. It does seem I had him in my top 4 before he was such a household name. I projected him to be a top 4 target (playing WILL) before his awesome combine made everyone sit up and take notes. Here's why: ceiling.

He was obviously a football player making plays at Temple. He walked on as a safety, then moved to DE. Now he gets to settle in to his natural fit AND be coached up. I know it sounds crazy, but some players don't realize their potential until they reach the pros and get inserted into a scheme that fits their skill-set. Afterall, we always conclude that scheme fit matters just as much as talent on the IDP side.

Reddick checks all the boxes for a Dan Quinn-type coach looking to plug a 2nd round "football player" right into a defense needing speed. I actually do profile him just like Deion Jones from a year ago as a B+ prospect. I hold zero shares of Jones, and will likely have zero shares of Reddick because my leaguemates have been jumping at these guys in the first and second rounds of rookie drafts. I am beginning to exercise more caution, and will not be drafting IDPs unless my sleepers fall to the 7th rounds.

[saw061600]

Why the love? It's in the American psyche; we love to root for and project overconfidence toward the underdog. Classic feel good story that make us act irrational. He's a sleeper for me. I like the hype, it will make someone pick too early.

[FiremanEd]

Seems like a versatile, good football player to me. He has been productive, played lots of roles, and seemlessly showed up at another position during the draft process. Solid athlete to boot. Sure he isn't sexy, but he's talented. i think he can be a solid starting LB who can stay on the field and be used in different formations and do different things. Coaches love that and will pay for it. I too think there is more growth in him. I'm a fan.