Ronnie Harrison Would Bring Added Versatility and Physicality To The Redskins Defense

Ronnie Harrison, S
School: Alabama | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20?
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 207 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd Round or 3rd Round
NFL Comparison: T.J. Green

College Statistics

Player Overview

Ronnie Harrison has made a name for himself has a hard hitter at Alabama. Based on how his football career started though you might be surprised that he ended it up there at all. Harrison is from Tallahassee, Florida the epicenter of Florida State Seminoles football. He was a 4-star recruit from Florida State High School and was just a few miles from the college campus. Then Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher for whatever reason didn't recruit him and that's when Alabama swooped in. Harrison has played both free and strong safety during his time at Alabama and while he could probably project to either spot on a team in need of general safety help his skill set lends itself to more of the box role. Harrison does have range and can cover a lot of ground. He probably is a bit underrated when it comes to his coverage abilities. He is somewhat surprisingly patient in coverage and has good vision and anticipation skills. Where he shines most though is his aggressive demeanor and ability to come up to the LOS and play run defense. Harrison attacks downhill and overall is a reliable run stopper. He has some technique issues to clean up. I wish he would apply the patience he shows in coverage to his run defense as he has the tendency to lunge narrow his target and miss at times. Harrison is a safety at the next level but I wouldn't be shocked if a team tried him at linebacker in certain situations.

Strengths

• Excellent size and athleticism for the position. Because of his speed and fluidity in coverage, he offers versatility and experience at both safety spots.
• An aggressive player who looks for contact. He plays downhill and generally takes good angles. He sizes opposition up and when he launches and hits his target they stop.
• Fluid in his drop and turn in coverage. Takes long controlled strides to stick with his man. Plays with poise.
• Will entices defensive coordinators with his ability to play deep zone, man coverage, stack the box, and blitz off the edge.

Weaknesses

• Looks for the big hit too much. Leads with shoulder and can miss his target. Overaggressive at times. He can lunge prematurely at ankles and miss his target.
• Needs to learn to turn his head and anticipate more consistently. He has the tools to produce more turnovers than he has but has to learn how to use his tools better.
• Has to learn how to consistently get off blocks when playing at/near the LOS.

Let's see his work:

More Ronnie Harrison videos

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Harrison may not meet the need of a ‘true’ FS the Redskins could use but he would bring the versatility and ability to play both safety spots. The team needs the talent and depth at the position and it would be good to add yet another talented player back there especially if the Redskins miss out on the Derwin James sweepstakes. Harrison could definitely be on the field with both Monte Nicholson and D.J. Swearinger in sub packages and though he may not ‘start’ over Swearinger or Nicholson I can still see him getting quite a bit of playing time in his rookie year. Harrison also offers insurance past Swearinger's contract and if Monte Nicholson goes down again. As I mentioned in the intro I also wouldn't rule out him playing some linebacker in certain situations. Harrison offers a really nice blend of size, athleticism, physicality at the position and should also be able to help the team contain the run at the second level if not the first. Harrison is also athletic enough to play deep coverage or flatten out and keep tabs on players in the flat or even stick with some guys in the slot as well as the seam. He’ll need to learn patience and when to strategically use his physicality and aggression but for a player with no major technical or physical flaws I think Harrison may be one of the best values in the draft as he develops and gains more experience.