Jaylen Harrell 2024 NFL Draft Profile
The University of Michigan is sending a horde of players to the NFL 2024 NFL Draft. EDGE rusher Jaylen Harrell is one of the less-discussed of the group. Can he become a quality NFL player? Let’s discuss in Harrell’s 2024 NFL Draft Profile.
Harrell spent four seasons at Michigan. The four-star recruit in the class of 2020 started 27 games across his final two seasons. In 2023, he logged 31 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and nine tackles for a loss.
At the NFL Combine, Harrell measured in at six-foot-four, 250 pounds. In the athletic drills, he jumped 37 inches in the vertical and recorded a 9’10” inch broad jump. Harrell did not run the 40-yard dash at the combine, but he did run a 4.68 at Michigan’s Pro Day.
Harrell will likely be designated to pass rush situations in the NFL. As a 3-4 outside linebacker, he has upside coming off the edge. The athleticism can create issues for tackles and can be used to run stunts.
The pass rush play for Harrell is centered around using his speed to get to the tackle’s outside shoulder. This allows him to potentially get an angle to the quarterback while creating an opening for a move inside. For the most part, the inside move is his spin move. That is his best weapon and is pretty effective.
The issue for Harrell is that he does not have a great pass-rush plan. If his inside move does not work, he relies on a bull rush. That rarely pays off because he is only 250 pounds.
On a more positive note, Harrell does not stop rushing the quarterback. It is clear that he has a high motor and he is always looking to get the ball carrier to the ground. That also applies to run plays which is nice considering his flaws in that realm.
In college, Harrell was fine in the run game. It is clear that he was undersized, but he did not give up ground. At the same time, he struggled to get off blocks.
It should also be noted that Michigan used multiple EDGE rushers. The Wolverines often favored Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart (both are returning to Michigan) when they needed a more physical presence. It is very telling that Michigan understood his clear flaws.
In the NFL, Harrell will struggle against offensive linemen and run-blocking tight ends. That prevents him from being more than a pass-rush specialist.
Harrell could become a good rotational piece in a defensive line group under the right coaching. If he could develop his pass rush skills, he could do damage on passing downs. In addition, it would be interesting to see what he would look like with an additional ten pounds of muscle.
The sixth round would be a fair price for Harrell. The investment could pay off, but there is enough risk to push him to the latter portion of day three.
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