Zach

Harrison

Penix practiced in the days leading up to Week 8’s game against the Dolphins but was ultimately ruled out in favor of Kirk Cousins. The second-year quarterback is one of several Falcons players who are day-to-day to start the week, as Morris also said S Jessie Bates (ankle), DL Zach Harrison (knee), CB Billy Bowman (hamstring), and EDGE Jalon Walker (groin) would also be day-to-day to open the week. Penix appears to be trending in the right direction but if he’s unable to go, Cousins would again draw the start on the road against the Patriots.

Harrison (6’5/274) is a former five-star recruit who possesses lab-built defensive end proportions, measuring 36.25” arms and a shocking 85 ½” wingspan which are the longest arms in the 2023 class and help him dictate the terms of engagement. 25 bench reps (80th%) a 34.5” vertical (81st%) and a 10’03” broad jump (92%) combine for a very projectable 8.72 RAS. The three-time All-Big Ten performer has the power to move linemen when his hands are set and brings the thunder on contact. His hips are a little tight when running the hoop and his pad level can be high at times, as Harrison needs to clean up some technical aspects of his game that he won’t be able to get away with in the NFL. One of the better edge setters from this class, Harrison was awarded a 78.3 Rush defense grade from PFF. He has proportions akin to a less-twitchy Tyree Wilson and could play a similar defensive role at a significantly reduced draft capital investment.