[jwplayer Zyt2bvdC-ThvAeFxT]
The Baltimore Ravens added another inside linebacker to supplement their depth chart in the 2020 NFL Draft, picking Ohio State’s Malik Harrison in the third round. After taking LSU’s Patrick Queen in the first round, depth was added to shore up what is one of the weakest positions on the defense.
Harrison is a little more stout than Queen, standing at 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds. Where he really excels is in run support, using his bigger frame to shed blockers and plug the hole. He’s an excellent tackler, with 66% of his tackles at Ohio State being solo. Harrison does have some speed to him and can drop back into coverage but it’s not his strong suit. He tends to get a little lost in coverage and struggles to make the right read on occasion.
Harrison was used as a blitzer at Ohio State and had an incredible 16.5 tackles-for-loss in 2019, only 5.5 less than defensive tackle and draft mate Justin Madubuike.
If Harrison can separate himself from the other linebackers in the room, he could make an excellent foil to Queen, who excels in pass coverage but is a little undersized. If Harrison can focus on stopping the run, which should be easy for him with the talented defensive line in front of him, that would free up Queen to freelance and make more plays.
Whatever the depth chart at inside linebacker looks like come the NFL season, it looks better with Harrison in it.
[vertical-gallery id=46658]