Steelers Draft Watch: EDGE Charles Harris and EDGE Carl Lawson

Let’s check out two Steelers Draft prospects who could help improve Pittsburgh’s pass rush in 2017.

Coming off a HUGE victory against division-rival Cincinnati, Steeler fans are cautiously wondering, “Is our defense actually good?”

The Steelers’ defense has done a fantastic job of keeping opponents out of the end zone in 2016, allowing only 2 touchdowns thus far. Pittsburgh’s oft-criticized secondary has rapidly improved, with huge contributions coming from 2015 free-agent pickup Ross Cockrell and 2016 first-round draft pick Artie Burns.

However, the Steelers’ pass rush is an area of their defense that could use some improvement. While Pittsburgh has been able to generate some pressure in their first two games, their defense has only managed to record one sack, coming on a broken down play by Arthur Moats.

If the Steelers want to accelerate their defense’s development, it would be wise to upgrade their pass rush in the 2017 NFL Draft. For that reason, our next edition of Steeler Draft Watch will target players who know how to rush the passer. Let’s take a closer look at two premier EDGE prospects who are eligible for the upcoming draft: Missouri’s Charles Harris and Auburn’s Carl Lawson.

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EDGE Charles Harris, Missouri

Hidden behind current NFL playmakers Shane Ray, Markus Golden, and Kony Ealy for most of his time at Missouri, the spotlight is know on junior Charles Harris. After leading the SEC in 2015 with 18.5 tackles for loss, Harris is looking to build upon his successful sophomore campaign and skyrocket up draft boards.

Strengths

Similar to another prospect we covered in Steeler Draft Watch, Tim Williams, Charles Harris has an EXCELLENT get off. Harris perfectly times the snap on a routine basis and terrorizes offensive backfields. Harris combines his timing with a burst of explosion as he barrels into offensive lineman. From there, Harris uses his strong, quick hands to disengage from blockers, turn the corner, and pressure the quarterback. With his excellent timing, explosion, and hand usage, Harris is almost an impossible pass-blocking assignment for SEC lineman.

Another factor that makes Harris such a deadly pass rusher is his wide variety of pass rushing moves. Harris’s game features an effective swim move, a strong rip move, and, most impressively, an absurdly nasty spin move which he uses to disengage from blockers. Not only are all of his moves productive, but Harris also masterfully uses his moves in unison to ferociously pursue the quarterback. Harris’s combinations and pass rush creativity force blockers to constantly re-adjust. Simply, Harris is a complete pass rushing threat, as he can beat blockers inside, outside, or even with a powerful bull rush.

While Harris’s get-off and refined pass rushing moves already make him an elite EDGE prospect, it is his constantly revving motor and aggressive tenacity that place Harris near the top of his class. Anytime a talented pass rusher plays with the fire and aggressiveness that Harris possesses, you see special production. Looking to top his 7 sack sophomore campaign, Harris made his presence known Week 3 against SEC-opponent Georgia, racking up 3 sacks and many other additional pressures.

Weaknesses

While Harris is an intriguing pass rushing option in the 2017 NFL Draft, many of his issues revolve around his ability to defend against the run. While he has been constantly improving as a run defender every season, Harris struggles to make reads and find the ball. Especially against the read option, Harris has poor ball awareness and will often times fall for fakes in the run game. Harris could stand to improve upon his play-IQ and make quicker, more accurate reads in the run game

Another issue in his run defense is his inability to maintain gap responsibility. Often times, Harris is too aggressive in run support and will look to penetrate the backfield and make splash plays. When Harris is unable to corral the runner it creates a huge opening in the gap he was suppose to occupy. Harris needs to improve upon his ability to protect his gap and play sound run defense.

Lastly, Harris will occasionally play with a high pad level. As a run defender, this causes Harris to get blown off the ball at times. However, playing with lower leverage will not only help his run defense, but it will also allow Harris to generate more power in his pass rush.

Fit

While Harris plays both as a 5-tech and as a stand up EDGE rusher at Mizzou, I believe Harris would best serve as an OLB on the Steelers’ roster. James Harrison is set to retire and Jarvis Jones’s future with the team past 2016 is unknown. Therefore, the Steelers already less-than-stellar group of outside linebackers will be losing two key contributors. Adding an EDGE talent like Charles Harris would be a wise investment for Pittsburgh.

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EDGE Carl Lawson, Auburn

Next up: Auburn sack artist Carl Lawson. Or should I say pressure artist? While Lawson has been a havoc for SEC offensive lines to block during his time at Auburn, his stellar play has not shown up in the box score. With only 1 sack thus far in 2016, matching his total in an injury plagued 2015, is Lawson a good fit for the Steelers?

Strengths

Don’t worry about the low sack totals. Lawson is the real deal, I promise you. Additionally, Lawson is an intriguing prospect because of his plethora of easily translatable talents. For example, Lawson is such an explosive and powerful athlete that it is easy to foresee him adjusting to the change in skill level. Even against big-bodied SEC linemen, Lawson has no issues tossing blockers aside and blowing through them with his bull rushes. With an explosive get-off and impressive burst, Lawson often beats opposing linemen immediately off the snap. Also, Lawson has extremely powerful hands that he uses to redirect blockers. While rushing he passer, Lawson simply throws blockers out of his way with his heavy hands.

Using his aforementioned elite hand usage, Carl Lawson has fantastic creativity to his pass rushes. Like Harris, Lawson is not your one trick pony who will win with just his speed or one talented move. Lawson is a refined EDGE rusher who uses his athleticism, hand usage, and pass rushing moves to attack the quarterback. I would sum up Lawson’s style of play with one word: violent. Lawson is relentless in his attack, moving linemen with his heavy hands and willing his way to the QB. Additionally, Lawson possesses an impressive bull rush, as he plays with fantastic leverage due to his shorter, 6’2″ frame. A freakishly strong EDGE rusher with a short, yet absolutely yoked out frame? Sounds like James Harrison to me.

Weaknesses

As I briefly mentioned above, Lawson has yet to rack up big sack totals despite generating a ton of pressures. This is partially attributed to Lawson’s struggles to finish sacks and plays. Often times, Lawson will do everything perfectly but miss the tackle on the QB at the end of the play. Lawson merely needs to fix up his finishing abilities to improve this area of the game. Otherwise, the only other issue for Lawson is staying on the field to produce.

To put it briefly, Lawson has had some trouble with durability throughout his time at Auburn. Lawson missed his entire 2014 season with a torn ACL, and played in only 7 contests in 2015 due to injury as well. If Lawson can stay on the field and learn to finish more of his pressures, I could easily see him flying up draft boards this season.

Fit

If Lawson were to fall in the draft due to worries about sack totals and durability concerns, I would love for the Steelers to spend a pick on him. In my opinion, adding a freakishly athletic EDGE rusher like Lawson would do wonders for Pittsburgh’s defense. His violent playing style and aggressive tenacity would easily earn the love of Steeler Nation. Thus, I would love to see Lawson one day line up as an OLB in the black and gold.

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