I wanted to post this before the combine, where I think his draft stock will blow up even more than it did after the senior bowl. The Broncos need an inside linebacker that can cover, shed blocks, and tackle. Here's my guy and here's why. Reddick played DE in college despite weighing just 238 pounds. The staff at the senior bowl moved him to both the inside and outside linebacker positions. He was arguably the best player at senior bowl week. He blew away the coverage drills, made "wow" plays every day at practice, and showed great speed and instincts.
I think the kid runs in the 4.45- 4.55 range in the 40, and climbs up to the middle of the first round of the draft. He can play both inside and outside linebacker. I think he's capable of being a Ryan Shazier type of linebacker, playing 3 downs, sideline to sideline. Here's what Mayock had to say about him after senior bowl week:
Reddick played only parts of two years of high school football and had to walk on at Temple. Despite doing so, he became the leader of the Owls defense, and was awarded a single digit number by his teammates for his toughness. He's everything that Elway loves in a prospect. Great instincts, great speed, leadership, toughness, and college experience.He [Reddick] had a really impressive week. He was a hand-in-the-dirt 4-3 defensive end with a lot of sack production at Temple, but down here they asked him to stand up and play two different positions, and every day he got better. And his attitude about the switch was terrific; I got a kick out of how he embraced it. The last two days of practice, I don't think he lost a rep. He bounced around and made plays all week. At 6-foot-1 and 237 pounds, most see him as a tweener, but I think he showed versatility. I came into the week wondering what he would be at the next level, and at the end of the practice sessions I left thinking he could be an inside linebacker in a 3-4, an inside linebacker in a 4-3, and an occasional edge rusher. Bottom line: He showed he can do a bunch of things and do them well. He might not have to come off the field.
Do I think the Duke would consider him at 20? Right now he's slated as a late first, early second round pick. After the combine, I expect him to be a solid lock for the first round. We'll find out in about a week.