Tag: myles harden

Browns Podcast: Breaking down the film of Cornerback Myles Harden

Harden has some fun college tape

It has become an annual tradition for the Browns to select a cornerback in each draft under general manager Andrew Berry. He has shown a knack for finding talent at the position later in the draft, and one of this year’s seventh-round picks, Myles Harden, could be the latest success story.

Of course, you need to tamper expectations, considering how late he was drafted, but the tape shows a player who can grow into a starter in the slot. Harden has good size and length to break up passes though he needs to work on his hands to convert some of those plays into turnovers.

The best aspect of his game is his physicality and ability to impact the run game. Harden has a quick trigger and is quick to diagnose what is going on in front of him to blow up screen plays, and dump-offs to running backs.

You can hear more about the corner from South Dakota by watching this week’s episode by clicking here.

Browns CB Myles Harden named one of the NFL Stock Exchange’s Day 3 favorites

Harden has some support among on NFL draft podcast

Going into day three of the 2024 NFL draft, the NFL Stock Exchange podcast released a show titled “Top 20 My Guys for day three of the draft.” Analyst Conner Rogers started the list by naming Myles Harden, who the Cleveland Browns would later select in the seventh round.

Rogers had great things to say about the South Dakota cornerback, starting by pointing out that he had him ranked as the 121st-best prospect in the draft. He would talk about how experienced Harden is and how comfortable and confident he looks when playing the position, particularly in zone coverage.

Though Harden played primarily on the outside in college, Rogers believes his skill set might be best suited for playing in the slot, and I agree. Harden is a great open-field tackler, especially coming downhill against the run, and is not afraid to play physical football.

It’ll take him some time to adjust to the jump from college to the NFL but the tools are there for him to grow into a quality starter.

Two of Browns’ 2024 NFL draft selections highlighted as top picks

Can these two make a big impact on the field?

With the 2024 NFL draft in the rearview, the Cleveland Browns are receiving praise for their haul. Two Browns selections were named in an article by ESPN’s Matt Miller about his top 100 fits, picks and sleepers from the draft.

The Browns’ selection of South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden checked in as the No. 66-ranked pick. Harden was 167th on Miller’s board, and the Browns got Harden at No. 227.

Here is what Miller had to say:

Smart teams take fliers late in the draft on high-end potential, and that’s what Harden brings out of South Dakota. The 5-foot-11 cornerback likely fell in the draft after a 4.5-second time in the 40-yard dash, but his instincts and timing in coverage are eye-opening. He’s a sleeper worth watching as a future third or fourth corner.

The Browns’ second pick to make an appearance on Miller’s list was their first pick: Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. Miller ranked the Browns’ 54th overall pick as his 80th-favorite pick of the weekend:

The Browns needed to land an impact 3-technique early in the draft, and without a first-round selection, Hall was a smart choice on Day 2. A first-step maven with the quickness to shoot past interior blockers, he will slot into the defensive line’s starting four very quickly.

As the Browns look to stay competitive and get younger at the same time, they will rely on both Hall and Harden to make an impact.

Did the Browns find a diamond in the rough in the 2024 NFL draft?

The Browns drafted cornerback Myles Harden in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft, and one analyst loves the value there.

The Cleveland Browns welcomed six new players to their roster in the 2024 NFL draft, one of which came from the FCS level. South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden was the 223rd overall pick in the draft as the Browns continue to show there is no such thing as too much depth in the secondary.

And ESPN analyst Field Yates thinks the Browns got a bargain in Harden. Here is what Yates had to say about the South Dakota cornerback as he heads to Cleveland:

“Harden was the 147th player on the board for me, so an 80-spot difference makes this a major value for Cleveland. He had a nose for the football in college, forcing four fumbles and picking off four passes over the past two seasons as a consistent disruptor.”

The Browns have stated they like the potential that Harden brings both in the slot as a nickelback and potentially as a safety at the NFL level. They, however, also have Greg Newsome II in the slot, with Cameron Mitchell as a depth piece who has started games inside as well.

Can Harden prove Yates right during his time in Cleveland?

Poll: How do you grade the Browns’ selection of Myles Harden?

How do you grade the Harden pick?

The annual tradition of general manager Andrew Berry taking a defensive back continued in the seventh round when the Cleveland Browns drafted South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden in the 2024 NFL draft.

After the pick, Berry noted during his media availability that they believe Harden’s skill set works best as a nickel corner in the slot.

Harden is well experienced, starting 28 games in college, and has good size and strength. He is an aggressive player who loves to play physically and excels in run support. Harden moves well laterally and has the experience of playing both inside and outside if need be.

The Browns under Berry have had a knack for finding talent at the position, so if they’re confident in the selection, then I am, too. In the end, it’s a seventh-round pick, though, so there isn’t much risk. This pick gets a C grade from me.

How do you grade the selection of Myles Harden from South Dakota?

Browns can’t hear Myles Harden in draft day call as his family erupts

Needless to say his family was excited

As they do with every pick, the Cleveland Browns gave South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden a call to let him know they were taking him off the board in the 2024 NFL draft.

Except this time they hardly had the time to talk to him.

Upon hearing that Harden was getting drafted by the Browns, his family immediately erupted in the background. So much so, that the Browns eventually told Harden they would call him back after the moment had set in for him and his family.

First, it was head coach Kevin Stefanski who could not get a word into Harden due to the noise in the background, then it was J.W. Johnson of the ownership group who had a hard time getting Harden to hear anything due to the noise in the background.

The Browns view Harden as a nickel with safety versatility as he heads from the FCS level to the NFL.

You can find the video here.

Browns take South Dakota CB Myles Harden with pick No. 227 in 2024 NFL draft

The Browns collect another defensive back

With the 227th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns have added South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden.

It wouldn’t be an NFL draft if general manager Andrew Berry did not draft a defensive back. That’s just what he does here, landing the South Dakota product in the last round of the draft.

A four-year contributor at South Dakota, Harden played predominantly outside cornerback. He is listed at 5-10 and 188 pounds, and many believe he can kick inside to nickel if needed as well.

Harden has racked up six career interceptions during his college career at the FCS level. PFF graded him out as a top-notch player in coverage.

His roster spot is not locked in as a seventh round pick, and Harden will likely have to play special teams to secure a place on the final 53-man roster.

The Browns have one pick left in the draft, slated to pick again at pick No. 243.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 84, South Dakota CB Myles Harden

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

During the past two NFL Drafts, Brain Gutekunst has selected two players from the FCS level. It was North Dakota State’s Christian Watson in 2022, followed up by South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft in 2023.

If Gutekunst turns to the FCS level in the 2024 NFL Draft, a player he could zero in on is Myles Harden. The University of South Dakota cornerback checks in at No. 84 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

Harden, a Florida native made a name for himself during his first season in Vermillion. In four games, Harden recorded 16 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions and nine pass deflections. The following season, Harden played in just six games before suffering a season-ending injury. In six games the following season, Harden recorded 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and nine pass deflections. 

This past season, Harden recorded 58 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception and seven pass deflections. 

“The time I spent at USD meant everything to me,” Harden said. “Just to be able to go off to college for free was a big goal for me and I was able to do that and play the game I love for four years as well. The relationships I created at USD with everyone from players to coaches, students, professors and workers all meant a lot to me. I cherish every interaction I had with anyone at USD because in a way it helped mold me into the person I am today.”

In 29 career games, Harden finished his time at Vermillion with six interceptions and 26 pass deflections. He has plus ball kills and has a knack for getting his hands on the pigskin. He’s always hunting for the ball. 

“I would say my greatest strength is my ball skills, just having a nose for the ball helped me create many plays in my high school and collegiate career,” Harden said. “It’s going to continue to help me create plays in my professional career as well.”

Harden shows good route instincts and is quick to drive on the ball. He’s combative at the catch point and teams will love the tenacity he plays with. The USD cornerback is a smooth mover and has easy movement skills. His track background is evident as he possesses good recovery speed and never panics when the ball is in the air. 

“Just being able to read the quarterback and feel the wide receiver route as it develops,” Harden said. “Being in a zone defense just reading the routes around me helped me recognize quickly what I’m going to get from the wide receiver and just being an instinctive player helped me in coverage as well.”

Harden drives quickly downhill in run support. He’s a willing participant and had a high batting average as a tackler this past season. The USD cornerback was credited with just six missed tackles this past season, with two of those whiffs coming during the team’s season opener. He had zero missed tackles during the final five weeks of the season. 

“I’m very physical in run support,” Harden said. “I can set the edge, spill the ball, blitz and most importantly make the tackle.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need to add pieces to the cornerback room. Jaire Alexander was in and out of the lineup this past season. Will Eric Stokes be able to rediscover his rookie form? Even though Carrington Valentine showcased potential, it’s hard to imagine Gutekunst putting all his eggs in that basket. With Keisean Nixon set to hit the open market they’ll likely be in the market for a new starting nickel. 

If the Packers feel that Valentine can handle full-time starter snaps, maybe they’ll wait until Day 3 to add pieces to the cornerback room. Even if they add a defensive back to the mix in the first three rounds, they’ll still need to add pieces for depth purposes.

Harden would provide quality depth to Green Bay’s cornerback room and he has the playmaking ability that is desperately missing in that room right now. 

“I would bring great energy and passion to an NFL defense,” Harden said. “Being a smart, physical and instinctive player is something I can bring to an NFL defense.”

While Harden logged limited snaps in the slot during his time at Vermillion, he could kick inside. He has the short-area quickness, toughness and fluidity to handle lining up in the slot. 

5 nickel CBs the Colts should target in 2024 NFL draft

Taking a look at some nickel CBs the Colts should considering drafting.

Until the Indianapolis Colts go through free agency, there isn’t a clear position that Chris Ballard needs to target in the upcoming NFL draft.

Free agency should help clear up some question marks surrounding the roster and one area on the defense that can end up becoming a big need is if the team doesn’t re-sign Kenny Moore II.

I am in the camp that Moore II has to be brought back in 2024 but even with him on the roster, Ballard should keep nickel cornerbacks on his radar in the draft.

Moore II will be 29 next season and if he is re-signed, it will likely come on a 2-3 year deal so the future has to be considered. As well as that, Moore II has missed six games in the past two years and when he is out of the lineup, it is very apparent that the defense misses him.

Adding depth at nickel can give Gus Bradley an option if Moore II has to miss any time and not be forced to utilize his safeties in that role like he has in the past.

Here are five corners that Ballard can target for the nickel role in the draft: