Noah Zomback: Malik Harrison
Prior to the 2020 NFL draft, there was speculation as to how or even if the draft would work. Due to Covid-19 and social distancing, the draft was held online. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell broadcasted each pick live from his house as millions of viewers watched hopefully as their respective teams added players that they believe will shape their franchise for the future. Although the circumstances were more than unfortunate, the results were decently spectacular.
As a fan of the NFL, I felt this draft held extreme character and was possibly the most entertained I’ve ever been watching the draft. On the other end, as a fan of the Baltimore Ravens, I was extremely happy with the decisions made by GM Eric DeCosta and company; specifically, I loved the third-round pick and 98th overall selection linebacker Malik Harrison.
Harrison, a first-team All-Big Ten selection out of Ohio State should prove to be an immediate impact player for the Ravens. Not only should it help that he will now be playing alongside former LSU linebacker Patrick Queen; but Harrison’s skill set alone would have made him a formidable starting MLB on almost any team in the NFL. The Buckeyes were very well represented in the 2020 NFL draft as he was the seventh OSU player drafted. In his college career, Harrison had a whopping 29 tackles for loss including ten sacks and nine pass breakups.
Baltimore drafted Harrison as their middle linebacker #2 behind fellow rookie Patrick Queen in order to completely revamp the Ravens linebacker room. Queen, who is known for his sideline-to-sideline speed along with his ability to fall back into coverage, should be ecstatic about playing alongside Harrison due to their complementary skill sets. Harrison’s physical toughness along with Queen’s technicality could prove to be the one-two punch that Baltimore has always loved to have on the defensive end; especially at the linebacker position.
Joining his fellow OSU teammate J.K. Dobbins in Baltimore could prove to make the transition process a bit smoother for both of them. Both players played with the “Ravens mentality” even throughout college, which is why most fans were not surprised when they were selected. Eric DeCosta and the Ravens organization is trying to bring that toughness back onto the defensive end of the football, and I believe Malik Harrison is a great place to start. Fans should get used to chanting “Leeeeeeek….”