The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.
The Green Packers finished this past season with just 256 pressures, which ranked 26th in the league (PFF). On top of their nonexistent pass rush, Green Bay’s defense yielded 2,372 yards on the ground, which ranked 26th overall. They gave up five yards per carry, which was tied for 29th in the league.
Add it all up and the Packers need to beef up their front seven this offseason. A player that could help bolster Green Bay’s pass rush and improve against the run is Zach Harrison. The Ohio State edge rusher checks in at No. 65 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
#OhioState DE Zach Harrison is 6-6 and 266 pounds with 35 3/4” arms and 4.5 speed. Those freaky traits alone lead to disruption.
Had 5 pressures on only 9 pass rush snaps vs. Iowa, including this strip sack. pic.twitter.com/QQ6FxHzBL6
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 24, 2022
A five-star recruit, Harrison recorded 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during the 2019 season. In 2020, Harrison recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. During the 2021 campaign, Harrison recorded six tackles for loss and two sacks.
This past season Harrison recorded eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, four pass deflections, and forced three fumbles.
“Harrison was a versatile and reliable chess piece for Ohio State as they moved him around to a variety of roles throughout his career and he thrived at each one,” Joshua Keatley, a contributor for BuckeyesWire said. “He was not an All-American level player, but he was a consistent, reliable, and a high-effort difference-maker.”
At 6-6, 266 pounds, with long arms Harrison looks like an NFL edge rusher. He’s a physical presence on the edge and has all the tools that NFL teams are looking for in edge rushers.
“Harrison’s greatest strength is that he looks like the prototypical defensive end,” Keatley said. “The dude looks like he was built in a lab at 6’6” and 272 pounds and has the frame to add even more weight. He has the ideal length you look for in an NFL edge rusher.”
#OSU EDGE Zach Harrison’s potential grows on me the more that I watch, because of how his pass rush plan evolves over the course of a game.
Great battle w/Olu Fashanu all game, but his best rep came in the 4th, forcing Olu to show his hands, using his long levers to control the… https://t.co/MFlWnhKbGB pic.twitter.com/LatzqDL428
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) February 21, 2023
With his long arms and strength, he has a devastating bull rush to drive offensive tackles backwards. He has strong, heavy hands that he uses to knock down the reach of offensive tackles. The former five-star recruit uses a long-arm move to help him convert speed to power. According to Pro Football Focus, Harrison led the Buckeyes with 33 pressures this past season. This past season he recorded two strip sacks.
“Harrison is a consistent player who doesn’t take snaps off,” Keatley said. “Mix that with his power and strength and you have a recipe for a guy who is just going to wear down offensive linemen.”
Harrison doesn’t get knocked off balance and is able to anchor down at the point of attack to set the edge. He has strong hands to knock offensive tackles off-balance. The Buckeye defender has the pursuit speed to chase down ball carriers from the backside.
“Harrison is an extremely strong player who can anchor down and utilizes his hands well,” Keatley said. “Harrison may be better against the run than the pass in all honesty. He is strong and long enough to control blockers and manage his gap responsibilities.”
Fit with the Packers
Rashan Gary may miss the beginning of the upcoming season as he recovers from a torn ACL. Preston Smith will be another year older. Kingsley Enagbare has a place in the rotation and could play a pivotal role in a pinch.
Brian Gutekunst needs to add an edge rusher or two as they search for Gary’s long-term running mate.
Harrison has all the tools in the shed to develop into a force off the edge. If the Packers don’t add an edge rusher in the first round, the Ohio State product could be a target on day two of the draft for Gutekunst.
“Harrison checks a lot of boxes,” Keatley said. “From his size and speed to his ability to shed blocks. If it weren’t for his lack of production in Columbus, he likely would have been the first round conversation.”
At some point in the upcoming season, Gary will be back in the starting lineup. It’s not out of the question that he could be ready for the start of the season. With Gary healthy and Smith still on the roster, Green Bay has its two starting edge rushers.
Fast forward a season and Smith may not be on the roster and Gary will need a new running mate. With his blend of size and strength, Harrison could be the ideal candidate to replace Smith.
