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2018 NFL Draft: Top 10 safety Big Board for the Redskins

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles warms up prior to their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles warms up prior to their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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AUBURN, AL – NOVEMBER 25: Ronnie Harrison #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Ryan Davis #23 of the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter of the game at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL – NOVEMBER 25: Ronnie Harrison #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Ryan Davis #23 of the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter of the game at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Every year, it seems like the Alabama defense produces multiple starters at every level. The 2018 NFL Draft should be no different. The team has a couple of solid safety options, and both will be early picks in the draft.

One of those players is Ronnie Harrison. The strong safety for Alabama was an enforcer in the run game, and that was his main role in the Alabama defense. Harrison spent his sophomore and junior years as one of the primary starters, and he fared well against the run. In those two years, he combined to total 157 tackles and also notched five picks. But, his tackling ability really is his best skill.

Harrison is able to come downhill very quickly and thanks to his strong 6-foot-3 frame, he is good at wrapping up opposing players. Harrison will be a really good in the box, and he has the potential to really help out a team’s linebacker corps because of his abilities.

However, Harrison is lacking a bit in the coverage area. While his stats dictate that he has solid skills, he sometimes struggles in man coverage as he doesn’t have the deep speed necessary to keep up with downfield burners. He also tends to try to be a playmaker, and lacks discipline in man coverage as a result. For this reason, he needs a quality center field safety to play alongside him to help mask his deficiencies in coverage.

That said, Harrison could improve on this area during his career, and it’s quite possible that he will be at least decent in coverage. It would be most beneficial for Harrison play in a defense that primarily runs zone concepts in the secondary early in his career. Then, he develop his man coverage abilities.

If Harrison can be a good tackler and a big hitter, that could give him a chance to develop into a really good safety. But, the coverage concerns should do enough to keep him out of the first round.

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