Chicago Bears Draft Scout: Harold Landry

Parker Hurley

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 07: Harold Landry

After a strong junior year was followed up an injury riddle senior year, is Harold Landy in play for the Chicago Bears?

Harold Landry finished top five nationally in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles last season. However, he dropped in sacks by 11.5, tackles for loss by 13.5 and forced fumbles and by seven. Landry dealt with an ankle injury and missed four games. Could that mean that he is in consideration for the Chicago Bears in the second round?

Measurables:

Age: 22

School: Boston College

Strengths

Landry wins with speed and burst. He is able to get off of the ball quick, and explode into the backfield, making him a feared pass rusher. Landry also has the appearance of a stand out athlete, and one who can bend and get around the edge in a very quick manner. Watch how low he is able to get as he bends the corner on the play below to get to the quarterback.

Landry also appears to have adequate arm length, and he knows how to use them. The play below illustrates two ways in which Landry can use his arm length to get to the passer. First, he is the first to make contact with the offensive tackle, not the other way around. Landry is reaching out, and pushing the lineman back, setting up his next move. He is able to use his speed and the leverage gained on the tackle to break inside towards to the quarterback.From there, he has his eyes on the quarterbacks arm. He is again using his length to reach out and hit the shoulder of the quarterback as he is releasing the pass. This resulted in a pop fly interception for Boston College.

Landry also has some experience playing off of the ball, and looks fluid in space playing in coverage. This adds to his versatility.

Weakness

Aside from the two moves shown above, there is not much that Landry brings in terms of a counter. If he is not blowing past a lineman or getting in the first punch, he is usually very quickly out of options. Gaining a more experienced repertoire with counters will be needed.

He also is not the strongest of defensive lineman, and may be better in a LEO or 3-4 outside linebacker role. His ability to consistently defend the run and set the edge on the line of scrimmage is not where i needs to be. You can see on the play below that the right tackle is able to stand him up and move him to the side quite easily, freeing up a running lane for the quarterback.

Pro Comparison: Bruce Irvin

The way in which the Oakland Raiders use Bruce Irvin is likely the best way to get use out of Harold Landry in the NFL. On early downs, the team can decide to shift him on or off of the ball. However, on the passing downs, they know they are setting up him with a plus matchup up on the edges. He is really strong at getting a jump with his hand in the ground, right on the line of scrimmage. However, his struggles against the run will limit to being in that position on passing downs.

The Raiders move Irvin around and can put him off of the ball when they are anticipating run. It still allows his versatility, and the threat that he can blitz if a pass is coming still looms. Irvin may be a bit stronger, and Landry may be a bit quicker off of the ball. However, in terms of the role, this would be an ideal situation to place Harold Landry in.

A Fit for Chicago Bears?

It would be tough to sell that he is going to be on their small list of players when talking about the eighth overall pick. However, what about the hypothetical that he does fall to the second round? There is the best player available theory, but is Landry a great fit?

The reality is that Leonard Floyd plays a role similar to what would suit Landry. Both are better off in space on the early downs and closing the deal on the passing downs. That could be too much of the same thing.

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That is why Pernell McPhee fit so well theoretically across from Floyd. McPhee was a physical player who set the edge on early downs and won with power. Floyd was out in space and winning with speed as a pass rusher. The duo could fit together. Would it be too much of the same thing with Harold Landry across from Leonard Floyd? That would be a debate that Ryan Pace and the decision makers would have to have if Landry was sliding towards their second round pick.

Parker Hurley

IUP Alum. Pittsburgh native. Follows NFL, NCAAB, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Steelers and Pirates critic, Penguins homer. Write about the Chicago Bears and other relevant NFL news