2017 NFL Draft: Versatile LB Haason Reddick could make instant impact for Arizona Cardinals

Daryl Washington's conditional return from a three-year NFL suspension made huge headlines in Arizona a few days ago. The Cardinals, in effect, kicked him to the back pages on Thursday when they used the 13th overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft on Temple linebacker Haason Reddick.

Like Washington, Reddick is an inside linebacker with speed, versatility and a knack for getting to the quarterback from various spots on the field.

But Reddick, 22, is younger, faster and a lot more trustworthy than Washington, who turns 31 in the fall and might end up getting released by the Cardinals before too long.

Making his first public comments about Washington since news that the player's indefinite suspension had been lifted, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said, "For the last 72 hours I've done nothing but stare at college tape and that draft board. At the appropriate time we'll address that; but, I'll be honest with you, I haven't put a lot of time into it."

All Keim and coach Bruce Arians wanted to talk about was the selection of Reddick, who finished his senior season at Temple with 65 tackles -- 22 1/2 for loss -- 10.5 sacks, an interception, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

The Cardinals envision him as every-down player they can use right away.

"He's one of the guys we focused on from the beginning," Keim said. "What we try to do with our defense is build hybrid players who fit in different spots. This guy can play inside; he can play outside.

"We'll find a place for him, whether it's early as a rusher or if it's as a stack 'backer. He's got enough skills to be a difference-maker for us."

Arians loves what Reddick brings from a versatility standpoint, citing his speed and ability to wreak havoc no matter where they decide to put him.

"When we get a guy who can play two positions equally great, that's huge for us," Arians said. "He will have a huge impact in a lot of different positions. He gives us a lot of flexibility."

Reddick was a walk-on at Temple who didn't receive a scholarship until after his junior season. His stock soared at the Senior Bowl and during the combine, when he impressed almost everybody who took the time to get close enough to him.

Arians said he sees a lot of the Denver Broncos' Von Miller in Reddick, which could be scary good for the Cardinals.

"I don't like comparing him like that," Arians said, "but that's the one guy I can think of."