Hassan Ridgeway NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Colts Rookie

POSITIVES

A junior entry from Texas, Hassan Ridgeway is a massive, thick defensive tackle with experience playing both nose tackle and 3-technique. His flash plays against the run were impressive in 2015, and he added 3.5 sacks to his resume while earning honorable mention All-Big 12 credit.

Ridgeway is an easy, fluid mover laterally and in space. He has confident, sure hands and uses his size well to combat blockers' attempts to lock him up. His flexibility and hip snap are some of the best in the group. For a 300-pounder, Ridgeway can get skinny and slide through gaps to make splash plays in the backfield. He locates and attacks the ball easily.

As a pass-rusher, Ridgeway wins by getting initial contact and driving blockers off the ball. He’s an attacker when the ball is snapped and throws his full weight into the lineman in front of him. He’s then agile enough to follow up with a spin or rip move to finish the play.

As a run defender, Ridgeway was dominant when on the field. He has the strength, length and instincts to be a dynamic first- and second-down defender in either tackle spot or even as a 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

NEGATIVES

Talking to Texas coaches about Ridgeway, the biggest area they felt he could improve moving forward is with his conditioning and game-day prep. He was a rotational player throughout his time at Texas due to this.

Ridgeway was consistently banged up during his three years of playing time at Texas and got the reputation as someone who wouldn’t fight through injuries to get on the field. With those concerns and issues with conditioning, he has a few red flags to answer for.

On the field, Ridgeway too often gets pushed back off the ball when he should be anchoring his space. His leverage and body control are inconsistent play to play, and far too often Ridgeway is looking for the ball instead of maintaining his gap (especially against Oklahoma State).

A one-year wonder lost in Malcom Brown’s shadow in 2014, Ridgeway doesn’t have an extensive catalog of plays teams can go to in his defense. He’s a high-upside player with some risk given his earlier issues but has the athleticism and body type to be at least a rotational tackle early in his career.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 303 lbs.

40 Time: 5.02s

3-Cone: 7.33s

Short Shuttle: 4.69s

PRO COMPARISON: Eddie Goldman, Chicago Bears
FINAL GRADE: 6.40/9.00 (Round 2-3—Future Starter)