The 2023 NFL Draft is inching closer and the New Orleans Saints will hold the 29th overall selection in the first round. The Saints have been able to use the free agency period to be able to fill positions of the need, but there are still areas of concern. New Orleans can use some help on the defensive line and they are able to answer those concerns in the latest PFF mock draft. In the latest PFF mock draft, the black and gold select Ohio State edge rusher Zach Harrison. Harrison was a four-year starter for the Buckeyes and he embodies elite athleticism even with his size and stature.
Saints Address Their Biggest Position of Need:
New Orleans lost Marcus Davenport to free agency leaving the Saints thin at defensive end. The Saints could use more help on the defensive line by adding depth and Harrison would be able to provide a spark. Cam Jordan will be entering his final year of his contract and he isn’t getting any younger. Hear from PFF on what Harrison can bring to New Orleans:
“At 6’5 1/2″ and 274 pounds, with arms over 36” long, Zach Harrison is a Dennis Allen defensive lineman, through and through. At the tail end of Round 1 just a couple of years ago, New Orleans surprised many by taking Payton Turner. With Turner struggling to find consistency, Harrison could be another surprise–especially with his elite athleticism.”
Harrison was a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school before going to Ohio State before the start of the 2019 season. In his freshman season in 2019, Harrison started in all 14 games for the Buckeyes and was a key factor in their run to the College Football Playoff. He would continue to elevate his status during the 2020 season as he was named second-team all-Big Ten.
Harrison had a career-high six tackles against Purdue and had fix tackles in the win against Utah in the Rose Bowl. The star edge rusher would finish the 2021 season with 8.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. Harrison would lead his team with 19.5 tackles for loss in 2022, while adding 10.5 quarterback sacks.
Zach Harrison Scouting Report:
Harrison served a vital role for the Buckeyes defense as we was named as a team captain heading into the 2021 season and brought his veteran experience in the defensive front for Ohio State. He has elite athleticism and is able to get off the line with a quick first step. Hear from Pro Football Network on what upside Harrison can bring to the next level:
“Teams like Ohio State have a habit of drawing the freakiest athletes. Harrison is about as freaky as they get. He has dominating size, with a long, burly frame, and an elite wingspan. With his rare length and frame density, he has quantifiably elite raw power capacity, and that’s a central part of his game. Harrison has the power capacity to generate displacement with long arms and bullrushes, and work tackles off-balance. He also has the rotational power and torque to drive blockers into the turf with superior leverage.
Harrison is undoubtedly powerful, but what certifies him as a freak athlete is the explosiveness he brings with that power. The Ohio State EDGE possesses excellent initial explosiveness off the line. He gets off the snap with torrid quickness, and covers ground quickly downfield with long, powerful strides. Going further, Harrison has flashed the ability to carry acceleration around the edge on pass-rushing reps, and he uses his straight-line explosiveness to quickly pressure angles and convert speed to power.”
Harrison has good size to become an everyday defensive lineman in the NFL. His strengths are that he has the timing to beat blockers off the edge and he is able to flash a burst off the snap. The Ohio State product ran a 4.5 at 268 lbs. His athleticism gives him the tools to fly past bigger tacklers quickly. He has proven that he can be an elite pass rusher during the 2022 season.
In 2022, Harrison recorded 23 quarterback hurries, three quarterback hits and five sacks on the season. Harrison would be able to provide the spark the Saints are in need of on their defensive line that has holes that need to be filled heading into the 2023 season.
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