Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison is next up on our scouting report series ahead of the 2023 NFL draft. The former All-Big 12 offensive lineman has been an integral piece to the Oklahoma offense over the last few years.
Harrison saw significant time as a true freshman despite not being listed as the official starter, totaling 333 combined snaps over a nine-game span. The Oklahoma lineman took over on a full-time basis at the start of the 2021 season and never looked back.
The majority of his collegiate snaps occurred at left tackle, but he did start the 2022 season opener mostly playing right tackle before ultimately moving back to the left side for the rest of the year.
This article is going to provide you with an educated opinion on the pros and cons of selecting the former Sooner, but before we get started, a quick reminder that unless noted otherwise, all of the grades and individual rankings that are included are my own opinions.
Many within the fanbase believe Harrison could be an ideal Round 1 target if the Titans trade back from their original slot, so let’s find out what exactly makes him such an intriguing prospect.
Measurables
- Height: 6’4’’
- Weight: 315 pounds
- Hand size: 9 ¼ ‘’
- Arm length: 34 1/8‘’
- 40 time: 4.98
- Relative Athletic Score: 7.93
College Accolades
- First-Team All-Big 12 (2022)
2022 Stats
- Pass-block snaps: 447
- Run-block snaps: 415
- Hurries allowed: 8
- Quarterback hits allowed: 0
- Sacks Allowed: 1
Grades, Projections, and Rankings
- Overall grade: 79.5 (second round)
- Ceiling projection: Mid-first round
- Floor projection: Mid-second round
- Position rank: No. 5
- Consensus rank: No. 5
Reasons to Buy In
- Fantastic and technically sound pass protector who has only allowed four sacks and three QB hits since 2020 (1,002 pass-blocking snaps).
- Patient blocker who plays with fast hands and doesn’t beat himself by leaning or oversetting.
- Smooth mover who can sufficiently operate when asked to block in space, work laterally, reach, climb, etc.
- Has good size and ideal length to thrive on either side of the offensive line.
- Plays with quick feet, fluid hips and impressive contact balance.
- Has already logged 1,866 career snaps at just 21-years old.
- His best football is still ahead of him, especially once he gets around NFL coaching and in a professional strength program.
Areas of concern
- Can easily get pushed back by physically superior defenders.
- Desperately needs to improve his overall play strength if he is ever going to maximize his potential.
- Has to do a better job of displacing defenders in the run game.
- Must learn to play with better overall awareness.
- Inconsistent run-blocker who looks reliable one minute but turns into a liability the next.
- Sometimes is reckless with his hand placements, choosing to prioritize quickness instead of using proper technique.
- His overall footwork needs some refinement in pass protection.
- Struggles against strong and long defenders who are able to get their hands inside of his chest.
- Could struggle early on against elite speed-to-power rushers.
Fit with the Titans
Harrison has been one of the most reliable pass protectors in the country, only allowing four sacks and three quarterback hits over his last 1,002 pass-blocking snaps.
In fact, Harrison produced the 10th-highest pass-blocking grade (86.6) since the start of the 2021 season, per Pro Football Focus.
Needless to say, after last year’s disaster along the blindside, that type of consistency would be a welcomed sight in Tennessee.
The 21-year-old offensive lineman doesn’t possess the most fundamentally sound footwork as of yet, but he’s a patient blocker who rarely beats himself.
Harrison has a strong blend of length and athleticism that allows him to operate in space. The Oklahoma product does a fantastic job whenever he’s allowed to perform lead blocks, reach-and-seals, climb to the second level, etc.
His smooth movement skills would fit in well in an offense that will allow him to use his natural athleticism to his advantage.
Harrison also happens to be one of the most experienced linemen in the draft. The former Sooner has already logged nearly 1,900 career snaps before the age of 22. That type of experience will be invaluable going forward as he already has experience with facing a variety of different defenses.
He undoubtedly has some inconsistencies in the run game, but you’d have to imagine a lot of Harrison’s struggles will be aided once he gets around NFL coaches who can help to improve his technique and overall play strength.
The Oklahoma product does have some impressive reps on tape of him being dominant in the run game.
Sadly, one of the most frustrating things about his current evaluation is how those dominant reps aren’t nearly as consistent as you would hope.
Fortunately, he is still very young and is far from reaching his physical prime, meaning there is a strong chance that Harrison’s best football is still ahead of him.
Therefore, should the Titans trade back into the mid-to-late first round, I could see the All-Conference tackle being a prime target for them.
In all likelihood, Harrison would probably be the one to stay at left tackle if drafted by Tennessee, which would push Andre Dillard inside to left guard.
No, that potential tandem won’t be as intriguing as one that includes either Paris Johnson or Peter Skoronski, but a combination of Harrison and Dillard on the left side would objectively be a massive upgrade over what Tennessee had last year.
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