Eli Harold is the most frustrating pass rusher in the 2015 NFL Draft

So, about Eli Harold ...

This was one frustrating dude to watch and break down. I swear his film was full of contradictions and inconsistencies.

One minute he is hauling ass running down the field trying to make a play, the next minute he is just chilling watching the play happen, not doing much to affect it.

One play he does a good job coming off the ball and jacking up the blocker on a running play, the next he is getting ragdolled and manhandled trying to play the run.

Then you have this skinny guy (247 pounds at the Combine) -- who runs a 4.6 forty and has a 35-inch vertical, which is pretty damn good, and shows above average explosion -- who was actually better as a power rusher instead of a bonafide speed rusher.

What the fuck?!

For the purposes of this breakdown I went over to Draft Breakdown and watched him play against UCLA, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Florida State and Miami. Those represented the first, third, sixth, 10th and 11th games of Virginia’s season, respectively.

Even after watching those games, I am still not sure I know who and what this kid is. Worse still, I’m finding it hard to project who and what he will be on the next level.

Harold’s inconsistency scares the shit out of me. With his measurables he should have been a much better pass rusher than what I saw on film. The problem is there were times when he looked impressive rushing the passer. He did have a good power rush, and when he actually decided to use it he was very effective at getting pressure on the quarterback. Of course, I wouldn’t expect a smaller edge rusher to have a bull rush as their signature move, but hell, if it works, why not keep doing it?!

Harold also had a pretty good arm-over move, but again he just wouldn’t use it all that much. When he did he tended to at least beat the offensive tackle even if he didn’t get to the quarterback before he threw the ball. I seriously have no idea why he didn’t try to use it more considering his success was with that move.

More often than not, Harold would just kind of run into the left tackle and get stuck on his block on passing plays. He might as well have run a 4.9 as far as I’m concerned considering how rarely he won with a speed rush. What’s the use of being a really good athlete if you aren’t going to use your athleticism as a pass rusher but every once in awhile?

That was frustrating as hell to watch.

I kinda hate the fact that I did see Harold use good moves at times because then I had to wonder why he didn’t use them all the time. If he had he might’ve had a bunch more sacks. But he didn’t, which is probably why he “only” had like 7.5 sacks on the season. That’s not really a bad number, but it certainly isn’t a great one either.

Oh, it might’ve helped had he not missed so many tackles, including a few sacks. In the Louisville game alone, a game where he had two sacks, the dude flat out missed three other tackles, one of which was another sack opportunity. Again, this dude is supposed to be a good athlete but even when he comes scot-free he doesn’t make the play?

That is worrisome.

I haven’t even gotten around to talking about Harold’s less than stellar play against the run. I freely admit that every once in awhile he came off the ball well, jacked up the blocker and made the play. Most of the time, however, he either got stoned at the line or manhandled.

No bueno.

Harold also gave up the edge to a running back on running plays wayyyyy too many times in those five games, and that just won’t do. I know he’s a little light in the ass, but the blocking will be even better on the next level. He is going to have to find a way to fix that shit in a hurry. A little extra weight, some squats and better technique would be my prescription, but for now imagining Harold trying to set the edge against NFL level offensive tackles and tight ends is not a pretty sight.

In fairness, there were times when Harold made some outstanding plays against the run. The thing is I kind of expect that from top guys. It’s not doing it once or twice that impresses me. It’s doing it consistently, play after play after play that will get me fired up. Harold flashed in every game against the pass and against the run, but you also might watch any given play in those five games where he would look like just another guy.

That ain’t good.

The good news for Eli Harold is all of the problems I have with him are fixable. He already has decent pass rush moves; he just has to use them more. He has shown that he can do a decent job against the run; he just needs to work on getting better and more consistent with his technique. As he gets bigger and stronger in the NFL, that should also help him in both areas. He certainly is athletic enough to play as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, and he’s also a fit as a 4-3 defensive end so his scheme versatility should also benefit him.

The bad news is that he isn’t ready to be a starter right now and may not be ready for a year or so. It’s going to take time for him to gain the kind of weight and strength he will need to be a good player in the NFL. It’s also going to take some time to get his technique better and learn to play more consistently. Eventually he is probably going to be a really good player, but the team that takes him is going to have to be patient.

That sounds good, but most teams do not take a non-quarterback high in the draft unless they expect him to play right away. I understand that “everyone” needs edge rushers and that there may be a run on them early in the first round, but I would still be leery of taking Harold so high. Hell, I might be leery of taking him in the second round to be honest with you. He has some work to do and if I’m a team that needs immediate help from a pass rusher I just don’t think he is your guy. I really wanted to like Harold as a player more, but I just don’t see it.

#KanyeShrug