The interesting thing is that Eli Harold shows good vision on passing downs to get his hands up and look for the deflection, but on read-option or play-action Harold doesn’t read the handoff properly and hits the RB instead of staying with the QB. First, here is an example of where Harold gets hands up to swat the ball showing good awareness. Then here are a few more examples against UCLA where QB Brett Hundley keeps the read-option, but Harold missiles towards the RB instead of holding the edge and tackling the quarterback. This could be by play-design, but typically as an edge defender your goal is to contain the quarterback.
In these plays, Harold shows that he has a great motor and pursuit chasing down the ball-carrier which is a great asset to NFL defenses.
Overall, Harold displays the elite traits that you like to see in a top OLB prospect, but other times he looks like a 4th round draft pick. This inconsistency is what causes him to not be a sure first round pick. Realistically, a defensive coordinator will like his upside enough to give him a shot at the top of the first round and fix his hand placement and ability to shed blocks, but if he doesn’t get that fixed he will be relegated to backup OLB duties beyond that and will never develop into a premiere player.
Pro Comparison and Draft Projection
Pro Comparison: NFL.com related him to Olivier Vernon and so far I think based on the game tape I saw I agree with that comparison. He’s a quality outside linebacker, but struggles with consistency to become an elite first round prospect.
Draft Projection: Late 1st round, Early 2nd round.
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