This Eagles Defender Would Make for an Intriguing Fit on Giants Defense if Available

If he were available via trade, Eagles outside linebacker Haason Reddick would give the Giants a fortified edge presence,

Author:
Gene Clemons
Publish date:
Jul 25, 2023 12:00 PM EDT

In this story:

New York Giants

As we count down to training camp, the Giants Country editorial team went through the rosters of each of the Giants' 2023 regular-season opponents and selected a player that, if the Giants could acquire for the upcoming season, they absolutely should.

Here is the final installment of the series!

Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Philadelphia Eagles helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. — Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Haason Reddick, OLB

Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 235 lbs
College: Temple | Exp.: 6 seasons
Career Stats: 97 GP, 64 GS, 47 Sacks, 372 Tkls, 56 TFL, 76 QB Hits, 18 PD, 16 FF

Haason Reddick of the Philadelphia Eagles proves that NFL teams need to be patient with talented raw players. After being selected 13th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, the pass-rushing prospect only compiled 7.5 sacks over his first three seasons.

However, in his fourth year, he tallied 12.5 sacks. The Cardinals did not believe he could duplicate his performance because they let him walk in free agency to Carolina, where he followed up his best season with another double-digit sack performance (11).

In 2020, Reddick signed a three-year 45 million dollar contract with the Eagles, and in his first season in the NFC East, he made it look like one of the best bargains in the NFL. His 16 sacks led the Eagles defense to 70 sacks on the season. He also forced five fumbles and had 26 quarterback hits.

He was an unblockable terror off the edge all season and earned second-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection. He also finished fourth in the NFL defensive player of the year award voting.

More "Steal a Player" Picks

Where Would He Fit In?

The Giants have two young promising edge rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari. While they have both shown effectiveness as pass rushers, they are not as consistently effective as Reddick has been.

Still, in Wink Martindale's defense, all three could be utilized. A rotation of all three players would keep them all fresher and potentially healthier, which has been an issue for Ojulari and Thibodeaux during their brief careers. Fresher and healthier bodies mean more explosiveness off the edge.

It also means they can inflict more havoc on an offense, chasing run plays down, dropping into coverage, and taking away underneath quick throws caused by pressure.

His presence would also create more one-on-one opportunities for interior rushers like Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams. Offensive lines usually slide protections to the most dangerous pass rusher, which will normally be Reddick. It leaves Lawrence and Williams against guys who are not the best pass blockers and who now don't have the luxury of help from other linemen.

Quarterbacks are not able to escape laterally because of Reddick's presence. If they run away from him, he will chase them down. That makes them step up in the pocket to the waiting arms of defensive tackles who have pushed the pocket into their lap.

Reddick is a beast that would help unlock the full potential of this Giants defense. With all of the athletics quarterbacks on the schedule this season, having an elite quarterback hunter on the squad would help immensely. He can mentor the young, talented defenders on this team.