Nick Herbig - The Next Haason Reddick?
 

I was going back through some Wisconsin games because I'm infatuated with Keeanu Benton but man, I just kept having to watch Nick Herbig. This dude comes off the edge with speed to the QB like no other player in this draft in my opinion.

So, I got to thinking "what if" a team keeps him in his current form and uses him like Reddick? You read a lot about converting him more to a traditional off-ball linebacker and whatnot, but I say no. Don't ruin this kid like New Orleans did with Zack Baun.

Put him at WDE in a 4-3 or OLB in a 3-4 and just let him eat getting after the QB. He doesn't seem to get hung up on tackles because he's so quick with his hands and he's so fast off the ball. I like this kid a bunch.

The question becomes, can he play the run well enough to eat up a lot of snaps like Reddick or Parsons? Or, is he a guy that maybe gets used in 40-50% of snaps like a Josh Uche? Or, is he a very situational guy like a Bryce Huff?

He's definitely an interesting guy to think about and look at. My opinion is he's at least a Josh Uche level of player but he's a lot more of a Hasaan Reddick build coming in.

So, what say you guys on where he really goes in the draft?

He's got a 1st round pass rush. Is the rest good enough to put him that high? Or is he a 2nd rounder, 3rd rounder or later?

Here's a good look at his speed off the edge but google some games if you want to see more:

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One of those “if you have a smart coaching staff and can use him right” kind of guys.

We do so yeah, the Uche comp would be sweet

Thing with Herbig is...he's kinda doing what Chenal did for them. He's lighter, he IS a different player, but Chenal had the second best pass rush win rate of LBs behind Parsons according to PFF I believe. This is why I really would like to see Chenal utilised more as a pass-rusher. Guy's 250lbs, he isn't as flexible or quick as Herbig but I don't think he's miles off and he's more powerful.

Basically I really like Herbig, I'm just not sure we don't have some of what he brings in-house. IF he was there at the end of the 4th I definitely wouldn't mind him as I'm 100% after speed off the edge. I just think I might prioritise that earlier.

I like herbig too. I would like to get a pure speed guy in this draft. My first choice is Will McDonald if he is available with our second round pick. He has incredible bend and burst. And at 6’4” 245 with 35” arms he is very dangerous as a pass rusher. His frame could get up to 255 without losing anything.
He has been a reluctant run stopper. But showed more willingness this last year in that department. He was also used as a 3-4 DE which is just idiotic I think. Put this kid in a wide 9 and watch him feast.

https://youtu.be/h6M4WR4iH-U

I'm glad somebody else is on the Benton train.

Dude is a block of granite in the middle.

Absolutely with you on McDonald, he's my priority too. I think it's going to be a nail biter as to whether he's there back of the 1st.