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Charles Harris, EDGE: A Pass Rusher For The Redskins At 17?

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2017 Draft prospects that could contribute to the Redskins

By Gabe Ward
NCAA Football: Arkansas at Missouri Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Harris, EDGE
School: Missouri | Conference: SEC
College Experience: RS Junior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 253 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Late 1st Round or 2nd Round
NFL Comparison: Whitney Mercilus

College Statistics

Player Overview

Charles Harris is the latest prospect in a consistent supply of Missouri EDGE rushers to catch the attention of scouts and make his way to the NFL. He is following the path of his teammate Shane Ray who was selected in the first round by the Broncos in 2015. Harris has a decent ability to time the snap and has shown some nice burst and twitch. He can definitely bend and turn the edge as well as any pass rusher in this class. He’s a fluid player and a pretty good athlete despite him bombing at the combine. What’s most impressive about Harris though is the number of pass rush moves he already has under his belt. His signature spin move is usually devastating to slower unsuspecting offensive linemen. He has strong hands at the point of attack and on his best reps can diagnose where the lineman is trying to engage and adjust with the right technique. He also wins with his quickness off the edge and can bend and dip to get around and get to the QB. He offers an immediate pass rush option for teams looking for help in that area and can play in either base scheme at OLB. Could he be a surprise pick for the Redskins at pick #17?

Strengths

  • Good athlete with nice burst and fluidity. Can win with initial quickness and step. He has good size for the position to play in both schemes as a pass rushing OLB. Can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt and looks good out of 2, 3, or even a 4 point stance.
  • Already has a nice array of tools to work with as far as pass rushing moves including a signature spin, rip, swat, and arm over. Is more likely to chain them all together when he wins with his initial quickness.
  • Does a good job of maintaining gap integrity against the run there are few times where there is a gaping hole on his gap assignment. Closes opposing chances against the run quickly and wraps up running backs.
  • Converts speed to power well and can collapse the pocket.

Weaknesses

  • Played heavier this year to be more stout at the DE position for Missouri. If he can get back to high 230s to mid 240s he was playing at previously he should be even quicker and more fluid at the position.
  • Doesn't stack and shed blocks with the consistency I’d like to see. Could stand to be more aggressive with his initial punch. If the play isn't initially coming towards him he will hesitate and get caught up with blocks.
  • Not sure how he would fare with coverage responsibilities as an OLB. He has few pass breakups in his career but those are from tips at the LOS not sure of his ability to cover tight ends or running backs.
  • Lacks prototypical length you would like to see at the position.

Let’s see his work:

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Charles Harris at 17? It’s not like the Redskins don’t need a pass rusher. Junior Gallete has not only proved to be unavailable but unreliable this offseason and the same goes for Trent Murphy. All of the sudden the Redskins depth at OLB doesn't look so good outside of starters Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith. While Harris is not an elite twitched up athlete at OLB he is way more fluid and quick than arguably any of the guys at the position on the roster. His pass rushing skill set is going to be more refined than other EDGE options later in the draft and he has a real shot to win starting reps against Preston Smith come week 1. My only worry with him is how he will perform in coverage. He was not asked to do it at Missouri as he was a designated pass rushing end most of the time so I can't really speak to it. Harris would definitely bolster the pass rush on the weak side for the Skins and just needs to take to coaching to improve his block shedding, initial punch at the POA, his reaction/hesitancy issues when the ball is moving away from him, as well as learn his new coverage skillset in the NFL. He’ll have to put in some work to become a complete linebacker but he’s ready to go right now as a pass rushing threat with the potential to start right away.

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