Christian

Harris

In addition to Harris, the Texans also opened the 21-day return window for offensive guard Kenyon Green. With linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair suspended for the team’s next three games, Harris should be tasked with a bigger role once he returns to action. The third-year linebacker has not played a regular season snap, but tallied a career-high 101 tackles and two sacks last season.

Harris is eligible to come off injured reserve this week, but it appears his timeline will be pushed further into the distance. Henry To’oTo’o has been starting for the Texans in Harris’ absence.

Harris isn’t practicing with the team in the early stages of training camp. The third-year linebacker, who totaled 101 tackles and two sacks, is instead observing from the sideline as he works his way back to the field. According to Wilson, Harris “is expected back relatively soon,” so we won’t read too much into this for now. Harris turned in a career year last season and is expected to help anchor a Texans defense that ranked 11th in points allowed per game (20.8) in 2023.

The rookie linebacker appeared to hurt his shoulder while trying to deliver a big hit to Trent Sherfield in the red zone. He spent time in the blue medical tent but was spotted on the sideline afterwards. Jalen Reeves-Maybin has replaced him in the lineup for the time being.

The Broncos acquired pick No. 80 and 162. Harris (6’0/226) was a three-year starter at Alabama who posted 79 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 12.5 TFLs in 2021. He tended to have his best games when the lights were brightest, with five of 10 career sacks coming in the SEC title game or the CFP. Harris confirmed his play speed with a 4.44 forty at the Combine. He’s a physical gap-plugging linebacker with the range to clean up messes to both sidelines who uses his long arms to keep offensive linemen at bay. The question is his utility on passing downs. Harris was lit up for a 92-1174-7 receiving line on 122 targets over the past three seasons in coverage. He lacks instincts and can be shaken in man coverage. He also needs to clean up his tackling form after missing 34 attempts between 2019 and 2021. If everything breaks right, he could have a De’Vondre Campbell-like career.

Harris (6'2"/232) has the game speed, and he proved he has the track speed here with an amazing 40-yard dash. He was a beast in 2021, racking up 80 total tackles and was able to fly around the field. His coverage was also standout, and with speed like this, it makes a lot of sense.

Harris (6'2/232) has been a standout player for the Crimson Tide, especially in 2021. He recorded 80 total tackles (12.5 for loss, second on the team) to go along with 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Those are good numbers regardless, but some of the best among SEC players at his position. Harris’ 31 tackles for loss/no gain since 2019 are the second-most for an SEC LB in that time span.

Harris (6'2"/232) has been a machine for the Crimson Tide, starting all three years he’s been there, and 2021 was his best year yet. He had 80 total tackles (12.5 for loss, second on the team) to go along with 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. While overshadowed a bit by the ridiculous season Will Anderson Jr. had, Harris was still great, coming in as a semi-finalist for the Butkus and Lombardi awards this year. Mel Kiper Jr. has Harris ranked as the third best ILB. TheDraftNetwork’s Keith Sanchez writes that Harris is great in coverage, with great lateral mobility, leadership and versatility. That should make him a valuable commodity in today’s pass-happy NFL and some scouts have him going in the second round.

Harris finding himself in the early top-10 is high enough praise, but no other LB is even close to him, according to Kiper. The famous NFL Draft analyst did not list any other off-ball linebackers in his top-25, establishing Harris as the clear frontrunner to be the earliest LB off the board a year from now. Harris (6'2/232) has tremendous speed, quality recognition skills, and a real mean streak when engaging blockers, making him a menace in and around the box. Harris has plenty of experience, too, seeing as he is about to enter his third season as a starter.

Harris (6'2/244) is set to start for the Crimson Tide right out of the gate. He is going to need to hit the ground running with fellow linebacker Dylan Moses just lost for the year to a torn ACL. Olson writes that the four-star frosh is “fast, aggressive (and) versatile,” noting that while he figures to make his fair share of young mistakes, his immense and immediate talent outweighs the expected early rawness.