Former Eagles DE Hugh Douglas explains why Bryce Huff can be a better pass rusher than Haason Reddick

Aside from the signing of Saquon Barkley, the latest standout off-season move for the Eagles was trading Haason Reddick to the New York Jets.

In what was essentially the swapping of two players, the Eagles ended up parting ways with Reddick and receiving a third-round pick that could become a second-round pick, as well as signing Bryce Huff in free agency.

Coincidentally, former Eagles and Jets defensive end Hugh Douglas had the opportunity to speak about the trade and why Philly may come away as the victors.

Former #Eagles and #Jets DE Hugh Douglas believes DE Bryce Huff can actually be a better rusher than LB Haason Reddick, per @SportsRadioWIP.pic.twitter.com/1DC6Tn5Gx0

— The Swoop Scoops (@TheSwoopScoops) April 1, 2024

“I know that 10 sacks is one of those things that people look at and be like that production is not going to be duplicated, anything like that,” Douglas said.

“I’m gonna tell you like this man, in a small sample size, I think Bryce Huff has the potential of being a better pass rusher. And I know people look at me and they’re like, ‘Aw man, you’re crazy …’ Go look at his rushes compared to Haason Reddick’s rushes.”

It’s worth noting that Huff has mostly been a rotational player due to his ineffectiveness against the run. With that said, it shouldn’t take away from his elite pass-rushing ability.

On a per-snap basis this past season, Huff was among the best in the NFL. Only Myles Garret and Micah Parsons posted better pass-rush win rates than the young defensive end.

“And the reason why I feel that way is because he’s more of a physical rusher,” Douglas said. “He has to me more of an ability to strike fear in the heart of a tackle and beat a tackle in a one-on-one situation than Haason Reddick.

Now, Haason Reddick is fast, there’s no question about that. And he beats a lot of people off the corner, but the physicality that Bryce plays with, I really like, and I think that’s what’s missing in this game today.”

While I still don’t love the idea that we just traded Reddick away, I trust Howie Roseman. And after reading these comments from Hugh Douglas, I am very confident the Eagles made the best move for themselves.

From the New York Jets perspective, I totally understand it as well. Their window is much smaller than the birds’, and Roseman is always thinking ahead of everyone else.