EDGE Charles Harris, Missouri
Hidden behind current NFL playmakers Shane Ray, Markus Golden, and Kony Ealy for most of his time at Missouri, the spotlight is know on junior Charles Harris. After leading the SEC in 2015 with 18.5 tackles for loss, Harris is looking to build upon his successful sophomore campaign and skyrocket up draft boards.
Strengths
Similar to another prospect we covered in Steeler Draft Watch, Tim Williams, Charles Harris has an EXCELLENT get off. Harris perfectly times the snap on a routine basis and terrorizes offensive backfields. Harris combines his timing with a burst of explosion as he barrels into offensive lineman. From there, Harris uses his strong, quick hands to disengage from blockers, turn the corner, and pressure the quarterback. With his excellent timing, explosion, and hand usage, Harris is almost an impossible pass-blocking assignment for SEC lineman.
Another factor that makes Harris such a deadly pass rusher is his wide variety of pass rushing moves. Harris’s game features an effective swim move, a strong rip move, and, most impressively, an absurdly nasty spin move which he uses to disengage from blockers. Not only are all of his moves productive, but Harris also masterfully uses his moves in unison to ferociously pursue the quarterback. Harris’s combinations and pass rush creativity force blockers to constantly re-adjust. Simply, Harris is a complete pass rushing threat, as he can beat blockers inside, outside, or even with a powerful bull rush.
While Harris’s get-off and refined pass rushing moves already make him an elite EDGE prospect, it is his constantly revving motor and aggressive tenacity that place Harris near the top of his class. Anytime a talented pass rusher plays with the fire and aggressiveness that Harris possesses, you see special production. Looking to top his 7 sack sophomore campaign, Harris made his presence known Week 3 against SEC-opponent Georgia, racking up 3 sacks and many other additional pressures.
Anytime a talented pass rusher plays with the fire and aggressiveness that Harris possesses, you see special production.
Weaknesses
While Harris is an intriguing pass rushing option in the 2017 NFL Draft, many of his issues revolve around his ability to defend against the run. While he has been constantly improving as a run defender every season, Harris struggles to make reads and find the ball. Especially against the read option, Harris has poor ball awareness and will often times fall for fakes in the run game. Harris could stand to improve upon his play-IQ and make quicker, more accurate reads in the run game
Another issue in his run defense is his inability to maintain gap responsibility. Often times, Harris is too aggressive in run support and will look to penetrate the backfield and make splash plays. When Harris is unable to corral the runner it creates a huge opening in the gap he was suppose to occupy. Harris needs to improve upon his ability to protect his gap and play sound run defense.
Lastly, Harris will occasionally play with a high pad level. As a run defender, this causes Harris to get blown off the ball at times. However, playing with lower leverage will not only help his run defense, but it will also allow Harris to generate more power in his pass rush.
Fit
While Harris plays both as a 5-tech and as a stand up EDGE rusher at Mizzou, I believe Harris would best serve as an OLB on the Steelers’ roster. James Harrison is set to retire and Jarvis Jones’s future with the team past 2016 is unknown. Therefore, the Steelers already less-than-stellar group of outside linebackers will be losing two key contributors. Adding an EDGE talent like Charles Harris would be a wise investment for Pittsburgh.