Draft Countdown: Brandon Harris
Leading up to next week’s NFL Draft, HurricaneSpots.com will run daily draft outlook pieces on former Hurricanes likely to be selected in the three-day event at Radio City Music Hall in New York City beginning Thursday, April 28.
We’ll start with cornerback Brandon Harris, who by most projections will be chosen in either the first or second round.
Harris played three seasons for the `Canes, tallying 132 tackles, four interceptions, five forced fumbles and 28 pass break-ups in his career. He was named a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist in his last two seasons at UM in 2009 and 2010.
ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay is among those who believes Harris will be a first rounder. He currently has him projected to go to the Baltimore Ravens with the 26th overall selection.
Pat Kirwan of NFL.com also has Harris going in the first round to the Atlanta Falcons with the 27th overall pick. Some other projections have him going to the Pittsburgh Steelers, another team that is need of a corner.
Here are some other thoughts on Harris from experts and writers across the country…
ESPN (Insider) – All-ACC Academic Team in 2008. Hard worker. Passionate about the game. Coaches’ son (father, Tim Harris, was named USA Today National High School Coach of the Year in 2007). Has played in all 26 games during first two seasons at Miami (2008-’09).
NFL.com (Pat Kirwan) – “The Falcons’ secondary was better last year with the addition of Dunta Robinson, but they need a better nickel and dime package and Harris is the best CB left on the board.” – 1st Round to the Falcons
ESPN (McShay – Insider) – “While Harris needs some work he has the speed and athleticism to contribute as a sub-package corner early on and eventually become a starter.”
NFLDraftScout.com (Rob Rang) – “Harris lacks the prototypical height for the position, but has the coverage and open-field tackling skills to contribute immediately.” – 2nd round projection to the Houston Texans
ProFootballWeekly (Nolan Nawrocki) – “Harris instantly provides help in nickel situations and brings the physicality that Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau desires.” – 1st round selection to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Draft Coundown (Scott Wright) – “A terrific athlete with adequate size and great speed, Harris not only excels in coverage but he is also very physical and more than willing to throw his body around.” 1st round projection to the Ravens
SB Nation (Brian Galliford) – “Asante Samuel is fine at one corner position, but Philly’s slipping defense could use a major upgrade across from him..” 1st round projection to the Eagles
Some other links to draft projections….
ESPN (Mel Kiper – Insider)
Walter Football – 2nd round to Detroit
Fox Sports – 2nd round to Cincinnati
KFFL (Cory J. Bonini) – 2nd round to Cincinnati
Consensus Draft Service – 1st round to Philadelphia
Check back in Wednesday for what people are saying about defensive lineman Allen Bailey, who most believe will also go in the first few rounds.
