Worldwide Draft Profile: Harold Landry

WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Harold Landry, Boston College, Edge

4/3/2018

Manuel Harari

WorldWide Rams

Who is the six-foot-three 250-pound Harold Landry?
Harold Landry is a senior player out of Boston College. In his freshman year contributed as a role player 11 tackles (1.5 for loss), while earning the starting position in the last nine games of his sophomore season, finishing with 15.5 tackles for losses, 4.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles, earning him All-ACC honors. Landry had his best season in 2016, earning both All-American and First Team All-ACC honors, racking up 22.5 tackles for losses,16.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and one interception while starting in 12 of the 13 games. He chose to return his senior year, opposing to apply for the 2017 NFL Draft, while considered as one of the top edge rusher of his position last year. He had a setback his senior season, playing in just nine games after an ankle injury, leaving him with 8.5 tackles for losses, five sacks two pass breakups, with 38 stops and no forced fumbles, enough to earn him a All-ACC third team recognition.

Harold Landry Highlights

Strengths:
Long armed EDGE rusher that has played both standing and on the ground. Flies off the edge and has elite body bending to evade hand blocks by offensive tackles with a tight turn. Great burst at first step to get behind the blocker. His speed helps him go fast and his body bending let him angle the opposing Quarterback. Knows how to attack the quarterback and creates strip sacks while attacking the throwing arm. Loose hipped that can drop on coverage or into space when required. Fast and twitchy change of direction on counter runs and bootlegs.

Weaknesses:
Undersized, lacks wrapping to make the tackle easier. Below average upper body strength and can get pushed back. Basic pass rushing moves, usually uses the spin and relies on inside moves, needs to master counter pass rushing skills and hand usage. Burst type of player, needs to rush. He could strive more.

Is he a fit for the Rams?
After trading long tenured Robert Quinn because of his contract, under productivity,injury issues, and losing Connor Barwin to free agency, the Rams are left with Samson Ebukam and Matt Longacre, whom are good rotational players, but still leaved a glaring need, in a could be, legendary front seven.
Enters Harold Landry, his fit would be excellent as he has played stand up (OLB) and with his hands on the ground (DE), can drop on coverage and has the speed to get after the QB, track running backs and cover TE's, which is essentially what an EDGE OLB must have in a Wade Phillips scheme.

Draft Prediction: Mid 1st round (15-20)