2016 NFL Draft: Texas’ Hassan Ridgeway Scouting Report
By Jon Dove
Texas’ Hassan Ridgeway is a high-impact prospect who will have an immediate impact as a rookie.
Texas’ Hassan Ridgeway is a versatile defender who’s capable of holding up against the run and creating pressure on the quarterback. He features a combination of size, strength and quickness that allows him to constantly be around the football.
Ridgeway plays with excellent balance thanks to this wide base and low pad level. His balance helps him anchor at the point of attack in order to support the run. He has shown the ability to hold his ground against double teams and occupy blockers.
However, Ridgeway has features the initial burst and snap awareness needed to penetrate the pocket. He’s more than capable of generating a high number of tackles for loss and consistently disrupting the timing of the offense.
His potential as a pass rusher is underrated and something that could emerge has his best trait. Ridgeway can get to the quarterback in a number of ways including pushing the pocket, swimming past the blocker or working a counter spin move.
He’s deceptively quick and gets into the frame of the blocker in a hurry. Ridgeway has excellent hand usage which includes gaining inside placement and the strength to quickly shed. His combination of quickness, powerful hands and non-stop motor makes him a real nightmare for offensive lineman to handle.
Ridgeway isn’t getting nearly enough love from the draft community. He has the upside to develop into the top defensive tackle taken in this draft class. The biggest thing for him is to find more consistency and continue to develop.
It’s possible that Ridgeway sneaks into the back-end of the first round. He has that type of upside and the versatility to fit multiple defenses.
Draft Range- 1st Round