Scouting report: Nic Harris

Nic Harris

6’3, 228 pounds | Oklahoma | Strong safety

Strengths: Harris is an instinctive player who always seems to be around the ball. Is at his best when he can play up in the box against the run. Closes on the ball really well. Works through traffic nicely. Big, physical player. Playing linebacker, Harris is good covering tight ends man-to-man. Decent hands. Team player who didn't mind changing positions. Will be a good special teams player.

 

Weaknesses: Something of a man without a position after switching from safety to linebacker during the season. Has the size of an outside linebacker. A little stiff in the hips. Struggles when he has to cover deep and is really poor at changing direction. A poor man’s Roy Williams as a safety. Not the most sound of tacklers. Needs to do a better job in the open field of squaring up and charging through an opponent. Not very fast.

Final word: Due to his lack of a true position and even average speed, Harris could slip greatly in the draft. He should more than likely convert permanently to linebacker where his strengths (stopping the run and covering tight ends) can be best utilized.Played strong and free safety, middle linebacker and cornerback at Oklahoma. Named to the All-Big 12 first team in 2007 and '08.

Round projection: 5