Draft Prospect #4

Continuing my series on the Packers most likely picks w/ the 32nd overall selection in the draft...  This is a player who comes into the draft as a Sr, fits a team need and is generally considered in the top 25-40 players in the draft.

Brandon Harris is a 5'10" 190 lb CB from "The U"...  Harris has the tools to become a very good starting CB in the NFL.  For the time being he is best served playing a nickel role and having the opportunity to learn the ropes of the NFL game before being thrust into a starting role.  As a CB Harris shows the necessary explosivness, speed and athleticism to play man coverage, an area he already excels at, and to develop into a solid zone coverage player.  For now, he needs to work on his zone responsibilities as he has a tendency to "get lost" and out of position.  He is much better w/ his back  to the QB however, and comes into the league equipped to play the slot CB role.  Harris is a coaches son and you know you are getting a player who has no problems fitting into a locker room and there are no concerns about his work ethic, as he is seen as a fierce competitor, big game player and hard worker who is diligent in his preparation and willingness to put in the work to improve and excel.

In man coverage, Harris has more than enough speed running a 4.5 40, with elite closing speed, however Harris has exceptional quickness which is generally more important than straight speed.  Harris is very fluid in his transition from backpedal or press turning to run with the WR and has very good instincts in man coverage.  When pressing at the LOS, he will need to improve his upper body strength and jamming the WR .  As I mentioned, Harris is a work in progress in zone coverage, mainly due to the fact that he is inexperienced at it.  He does have the necessary skills to become a good zone player, however.

In run support, Harris takes good angles and is a willing tackler...  At times he can get over-aggressive and launch himself in an effort to make the tackle and needs to breakdown better in space.  His over-aggressive approach if reigned in, will lead to a better breakdown and better overall tackling.  He certainly doesn't lack for the courage or willingness to tackle tho, so his ability to improve in this area isn't a concern.

For the Packers, Harris would be the #4 CB taking over a role currently held by Jarrett Bush and would be an immediate upgrade.  With Tramon Williams and Shields the Packers have the 2 outside CB position locked up, so Harris would play in dime packages and Oh what a dime package that would be!  He would be given the opportunity to learn the slot CB role from Woodson.  He is already an adept blitzer judging from the tape I've seen of him.  Once his tackling improves he would be ready to take over the slot from Wood...  He won't be able to line up over and cover larger WR and TE like Woodson however.  That would be only a minor adjustment for Capers, as its a luxury having Woodson be as verstatile as he is.

The big caveat w/ this pick as I see it, is the Packers willingness to break the long held height requirement ot 5'11" at the CB position. IMO, it might be time to rethink this, as we don't have alot of 6'4 WR in the division.  Only Megatron and Sidney Rice (a possibe FA) offer the kind of size to give smaller CB alot of problems.  At 5'10 he simply doesn't have the ht we have always relied upon at CB...  WHat do you think?  Is it time for the Packers to let the height requirement slide, be done w/ it altogether, or keep it in place?