2018 IDP Rookie Profile: Harold Landry, DE Boston College

Brandon Salamat Posted On April 21, 2018

Many people might not agree with me but Harold Landry is not only my favorite edge in this class but he’s also my top defensive end prospect. As much love as the linebackers get in rookie drafts, I expect that tune to somewhat change with this incoming edge class. A few of these players are not far behind the top LBs.

Landry leads a talented edge class and he’s one of the few who is versatile in a scheme. He can line up with his hands in the dirt (4-3 DE) or as a stand-up OLB (3-4 scheme) and would thrive in either role.

College Statistics

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Statistics from sports-reference.com.

Landry decided to go back to Boston College for his senior season. Although 2017 didn’t quite pan out how he wanted, we can’t blame him for going back. He got to work with his defensive line coach – Paul Pasqualoni – who helps Landry focus on the small details and is big on technique and fundamentals.

Once Landry got the starting job in 2015, he took advantage. This led to his dominant 2016 season as a junior. In his junior season, he was able to put up 16.5 sacks and a monstrous 22 tackles for loss. Not to mention, he forced seven fumbles as well.

In 2016, Landry earned second-team All-American. In 2017, he earned third-team All-ACC even as he battled injury. He suffered a high ankle sprain early on and wasn’t the same. This meant he sat out the last four-five games of the season. To follow up on his stellar 2016 season, he racked up 69 total QB pressures which included 18 sacks, 7 hits, and 44 hurries via Pro Football Focus.

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Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNI1vd0-ahk

Landry’s 2016 tape is far more impressive than his injury-riddled 2017. But make no mistake, you see elite traits as you watch him. He’s explosive as anyone off the snap and his ability to dip and bend to get around the edge is ridiculously good. What I love most about Landry is that as soon as he gets that bend, he has impressive acceleration to get to the quarterback before he can get the ball out of his hands.

He has shown he can drop into coverage. His ability to change direction at a good speed helps, but that’s not what we’d want Landry to do. Landry has done most of his damage as a weak-side DE (LDE) so I’m sure teams take notice of that and utilize him to his strengths.

There are a couple of things I’d like to see Landry develop at the next level. Firstly, inserting a few more moves with counters. Otherwise, he’s going to be predictable. With his explosive first step, he’s got to use his hands more and blend it in with his speed coming off the edge. However, he does have an effective swiper move on the plus side.

Landry does mix in a bull rush but doesn’t have the strength to sustain it. As long as Landry mixes in some counters to keep the offensive lineman across from him hones,t he’ll hit his ceiling. I also expect Landry to get stronger at the next level to help him disengage on blocks so he’s not taken out of many plays.

Measurables

Landry’s Combine performance showcased his athleticism and speed. He ran a 4.6 40-yard dash which was tops amongst DEs. I’ll add to that as he also posted the best vertical leap, broad jump and 3-cone drill. Landry is built at 6’3 and 250 lbs – again, strength isn’t his strong suit but he will beat you off the edge with his speed. To touch on his 3-cone time, he joins the elite company for defensive ends over 250 lbs who came up with a sub 7-second performance. It puts him in with the likes of JJ Watt, Melvin Ingram, DeMarcus Ware and Joey Bosa. That’s not a bad place to be.

Dynasty Value

I believe Landry will be one of the top IDP rookies drafted and potentially one of the first three off the board (in rookie drafts) – especially if your league scores well for DEs and an owner is wanting an elite edge. With that being said, he’s another IDP who I won’t be surprised to see drafted in the middle of the second. If he’s there for you in the third, make him your selection.

In the IDP landscape, Landry would be far more relevant if he can keep the DE tag. When you have an elite DE on a weekly basis, it helps build other positions on your roster. I believe Landry will provide an immediate impact. With a deep LB class and a top-heavy edge class, it would be hard to pass someone like Landry who I have compared to Melvin Ingram.

Landry has as high of a ceiling as Bradley Chubb and Marcus Davenport. They receive high praise and they’re a part of the elite tier for rookie edges. There will be many double-digit sack seasons in Landry’s future so I hope you lock him up when you’re on the clock.

Conclusion

Landry is an elite edge prospect who should go in the top ten of the NFL Draft. But if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t be a shock – we’ve seen stranger things happen. He’ll have a much better value in IDP if he keeps the DE tag. If he has the LB tag, I’d imagine the field of owners who want him will diminish drastically.

In any format, I’ll be targeting Landry because he’s the type of IDP player I build my roster around. I attempt to own big-play guys who have the X-factor and can win a matchup on any given week with their big game.

Personally, I would love to see Landry land in San Francisco. He’d fit perfectly because they lack an explosive edge, but already have the interior DL set. Landry would keep his DE tag if this happened and would create chaos in the NFC West. A few other teams that could draft Landry and maximize his value are: the Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, and Oakland Raiders.

Aloha.

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