Every year, new players join the elite ranks at each position, and over the next few days we’ll be taking a look at who’s next up in the NFL hierarchy and who could be breakout stars in 2024.
Right tackle is no longer a weak spot as NFL pass rushers have improved on both sides, with teams prioritizing the right side of the line and switching elite athletes coming out of college as left tackles to the right side and trusting their development. Detroit LionsSupernova Penei Sewell is the best example, but in Jacksonville, Anton Harrison has made a case for being the next breakout star at right tackle.
During his rookie season with Jacksonville, Harrison not only quickly integrated into the team and started all 17 games, but also performed at a very high level. In the final nine games of the season, the 27th overall pick did not allow a single sack. Daniel Griffiths of the Jaguar ReportHis pressure rate of 3.85 percent was ninth overall in tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
Harrison showed off his prowess as a pass blocker as he stepped into the league, and while the rest of the Jaguars offensive line struggled at times, Harrison was able to shine in true pass sets.
Harrison’s name might not look too obvious here, but as a rookie pass protector, he’s exactly where you’d expect him to be on this graph, and his ability to win true pass sets is a great addition to the Jaguars’ offense.
Offensive tackle Sewell/Wirfs in a true pass set. Losing Brady (getting the ball out quickly) while moving to the left is a big transition and Wirfs gets it done. pic.twitter.com/YwnIESvQTq
— Football Insights (@fball_insights) June 22, 2024
Harrison jumps quickly out of his stance, giving him more time to anchor and using his athleticism to block most of the power rush on the edge. In this rep, he gives in a little to the power rush, but is able to use his upper body strength to completely block it before it gets too intense.
I think what stands out most about Harrison is his patience in pass sets. As a rookie right tackle, he rarely finds himself in rushing or panicking situations. His ability to react quickly and use his quick hands to shut down opposing pass rushers is truly impressive for a player who is only 22 years old. One of his standout games came against Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. in Week 12. Houston TexansHarrison did not allow any pressure in the Jaguars’ win and showed impressive pass protection. Harrison has very strong handles in the passing game and is a good mirror athlete, allowing him to slow the pass rush before it starts. His ability to finish with poise as a pass blocker is very impressive for a player his age who moves from left tackle to right tackle.
Not only does he have patience against power, he’s also able to redirect his hands against speed and never gets out of position. Look at this replay against Anderson. Anderson tries to swat Harrison’s hand off, Harrison lets go and Anderson ends up smacking him in the air. He then pulls Harrison off the QB and makes the switch. In a season loaded with replays like this in the passing game, this is a truly impressive replay.
As a run blocker, Harrison leaves a bit to be desired. He’s still a bit upright as a run blocker at the point of attack, making him more susceptible to being uprooted by defensive linemen. On the front side of this run, Harrison doesn’t use his inside hand and can’t quite reach this defender playing in the backfield.
While it may not be his strength as a run blocker, he is much better in space for the Jaguars’ pin-and-pull concept. He is a very good athlete with good spatial awareness, taking second- and third-level defenders by surprise in the process. Harrison is quicker (as his ability as a pass blocker shows) and is much better equipped to attack smaller players in the run game in space. The Jaguars used this pin-and-pull action a lot with Harrison, and he was really good at it too.
Harrison has a very bright future in this league. With the return of guard Brandon Scherff and the retention of offensive line coach Phil Rauscher, the Jaguars maintain continuity on the left side, giving Harrison a chance to break out and make a name for himself as one of the top right tackles in the league next year. Looking at all the moves Jacksonville made in the offseason, they seem to be trending towards increasing downfield targets, with an emphasis on offensive line play. With continuity in the offensive line room and offensive brain trust, Harrison could have a chance to break out in 2024.
