Temple duo Haason Reddick, Dion Dawkins could help Broncos
The Denver Broncos need a new left tackle, and they could also use some more help defensively. Haason Reddick and Dion Dawkins could be the answer…
The Denver Broncos have a couple of specific areas of need leading into the 2017 NFL Draft, and perhaps the Temple Owls football program can provide exactly what they need. Both linebacker Haason Reddick and Dion Dawkins fit what the Broncos are looking for and both are within reason for the Broncos’ top two picks.
To acquire Reddick, the Broncos would undoubtedy have to invest their first round pick. Reddick has blown everyone away this offseason with his performance at the Senior Bowl as an off-ball linebacker and his athleticism and speed at the Scouting Combine.
Reddick ran a 4.52 second 40-yard dash, solidifying his stock as a first round prospect and showing scouts that his quickness off the edge and in coverage is backed up. He finished this past season with 22.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks as an edge player, but excelled when asked to play in coverage or off the line of scrimmage.
That kind of versatility could be exactly what the Denver Broncos’ defense needs as a threat up the middle of the field rushing the passer and a nickel linebacker to handle some of the responsibilities that Danny Trevathan used to handle.
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Reddick has the size, speed, and overall athleticism to be the type of matchup player in coverage the Broncos need to cover some of the best backs and tight ends in the game out of the backfield. With Brandon Marshall also on the inside, Reddick would give the Broncos an enviable pair of inside linebackers with toughness and versatility.
Reddick’s teammate at Temple — left tackle Dion Dawkins — could also be a steal for the Broncos in the second round.
It remains to be seen how long Dawkins would last into day two, but the Broncos could try and swing a trade to move up for him if they pass on left tackle in round one, and to be honest Dawkins wouldn’t be a terrible consolation prize.
He was really consistent for the Owls, and was exceptional as a senior, allowing just two sacks and five hurries on the quarterback in a pro-style offense, one that looks really similar to the offense the Broncos ran back when Mike McCoy and Adam Gase were calling plays.
Dawkins has long arms and plays with power, but also has quick enough feet to mirror pass rushers. Many have considered Dawkins a better fit at guard at the next level, but the Broncos could possibly play him at left tackle and take a developmental tackle later on and move Dawkins to guard down the road.
This Temple duo is not without flaw, but would certainly provide the Broncos with a talented and tough couple of players to address some key areas of need early on.