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Malik Harrison: Reasonable expectations vs. year 1 ceiling for Ravens

By Chris Schisler

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 07: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 34-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 07: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 34-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Linebacker Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Buckeyes 29-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Linebacker Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Buckeyes 29-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Things working for Harrison:

Harrison is in a very good situation. I’ve already mentioned the talent around him in this defense, because it’s a huge factor in how he does as a rookie. Having a great defensive line in front of him is going to allow Harrison to do what he did well at Ohio State. He’s going to be able to quickly make a diagnoses and attack the football. When he finds the football, he’s going to hit the ball carrier hard.

Queen is built like a new age linebacker. He’s 6-1 and weighs 227 pounds. Harrison is 6-3 and weighs almost 250 pounds. Harrison is an old school linebacker, built a lot like a player like Dick Butkis or a Brian Urlacher. While he’s not as explosive as Queen, Harrison is going to be the an absolute sledge hammer. So when Harrison finds the football, the running backs aren’t going to like what comes next.

Queen is built to be a Ray Lewis type of player. Harrison is built to be Queen’s version of Jamie Sharper. This is the perfect situation for both rookie linebackers. They are going to be a package deal in this defense, a main ingredient in Martindale’s defense.

While Harrison is a rookie who will have to earn his time on the field, the Ravens drafted him with every intention of him being a starter. This offseason was all about improving the middle of the defense. They were looking for multiple upgrades at the inside linebacker spots, not just one.

With Harrison they get a player with under-looked athleticism and text book quality measurables. With Harrison the Ravens have a player that perfectly goes with what Queen brings to the table. You can’t really talk about one rookie linebacker without talking about the other. For at least the next four years, they will be working together in the middle of the defense.

Next. The one question facing each AFC North team. dark

Going into the draft all the inside linebacker position was the one big concern for the Baltimore defense. The Ravens left the draft with two high quality linebackers. Harrison may get less attention than Queen, (and that’s probably the natural order of things for their entire run with the Ravens) however Harrison should have fans very excited.

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