Houston Texans Will Look Hard At Outside Linebacker In The Draft
By Travis Oquin
Nov 30, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas (3) runs with the ball as Virginia Cavaliers defensive end Eli Harold (7) makes the tackle in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. The Hokies won 16-6. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Eli Harold (2nd round)
6’3”, 247 – Virginia
Virginia is one of the few programs in the country that plays a traditional 3-4 pro style defense. As a result, you can see their outside linebackers in that role and with similar assignments as they will have in the NFL. Eli Harold was primarily the rush linebacker at Virginia but he’s a tremendous athlete as well.
Harold ran a 4.60 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, showed a 35-inch vertical and an excellent 7.0 in the 3-cone drill showing his quickness and change of direction in tight spaces. Harold has outstanding burst and gets up the field very quickly and at this point is much better as a pass rusher than against the run.
Sep 27, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes quarterback Colin Reardon (10) throws the ball as Virginia Cavaliers defensive end Eli Harold (7) defends in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Harold can be seen here against Louisville, one of his better games.
Harold struggles with consistency and his athleticism doesn’t always show up. Sounds a little like the Texans own Whitney Mercilus but Mercilus has started to show signs of turning the corner and being a productive outside linebacker.
Harold was very rarely asked to drop into coverage at Virginia, however when you watch him on film he certainly looks the part athletically to be able to do so. So can Harold be coached to that skill? I believe that he can. If nothing else he would give the Texans some options along the defensive front.
The Texans pick at 16 and that’s probably too high for Harold but I do have concerns that he won’t be on the board by the time they pick in the 2nd round at 51 but could also go earlier in the 2nd round. However if the Texans don’t select outside linebacker in the first and perhaps trade back to pick up extra picks, they could turn around trade up earlier in the 2nd to get Harold or the next player that we will profile.
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