The Case for Harold Landry at 8

If the Bears take a pass rusher in the first round, it just might be Boston College product Harold Landry.

If you looked at the Chicago Bears roster, the most glaring need would be an outside linebacker opposite Leonard Floyd. Right now, they simply don’t have a starting caliber player on the roster. The current starter would most likely be Aaron Lynch, but by no means should the Bears consider that position satisfactory heading into the 2018 draft.

If the Bears decide to take an edge pass rusher with the eighth overall pick, the most NFL ready prospect at that position is arguably Harold Landry. Landry is a Boston College product who many project as the top edge rusher in the draft.

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Landry is an interesting prospect. His size is more fitting for a 3-4 like Vic Fangio and the Bears run, but many say he’s at his best when he has his hand in the dirt. He’s not very tall, but he does have long arms. He’s athletic with a good motor (but doesn’t always seems to turn over the engine) so he constantly keeps at his pass rush, even if he doesn’t get to the QB with his first push.

Landry’s athleticism has several scouts excited for what he could be at the next level, but there are some things on his tape that make you wonder if he is worth a top ten selection. First of all, he has below average strength (which can be improved), but more importantly, he’s a one-trick pony when it comes to his pass rush. He tries to beat his blocker with a quick burst off the ball, but if he doesn’t get past him, he usually is neutralized.

He’s also not great against the run, he can get pushed back if the run comes directly at him, he would rather use his athleticism and chase down a play from behind. That’s a way to fill up a stat sheet with tackles, but not game-changing, or at least drive-changing tackles that can really impact a game.

Finally, Landry wasn’t as good in 2017 as he was in 2016. Some say it’s because of an ankle injury that he was dealing with, but you have to wonder exactly what the reason was. Every prospect is different, but the last player the Bears’ selected who’s tape went the wrong direction was Deon Bush and we see how that’s worked out.

Much of Landry’s tape in 2017 is alarming. Scouts have fallen in love with his 2016 tape and write off the 2017 tape as poor due to his injury. But watching Landry, he takes plays off, he’s disinterested in playing against the run, he misses tackles and generally stands around a lot if he doesn’t think the play is coming his way.

The Bears need another edge, there’s no doubt about that. But is Landry the right call? This draft class is not top heavy at the edge, if the Bears stick with eight and draft Landry, they would be drafting for need and not best player available. While the Bears’ roster is improving, they certainly aren’t at a position where drafting for need is acceptable, they still need the most talented players available and there are plenty of those that will be available at eight that are better players than Harold Landry.