Why Undrafted?: Anthony Harris



Why Undrafted?: Anthony Harris, S, Virginia
By Charlie Campbell, @draftcampbell

A lot was made that the 2015 NFL Draft lacked talent at the safety position. Only one safety was selected in the first round, while there were only three true safeties taken on the second day. One safety who had a productive college career yet went undrafted was Virginia’s Anthony Harris. As a junior in 2013, he led the nation in interceptions in 2013 with eight. Harris also recorded 80 tackles with six passes broken up and a forced fumble that season. The senior amassed 108 tackles with 10 passes broken up and two interceptions in 2014. On the back of two seasons of quality production, it was somewhat surprising that Harris went undrafted.




Sources say the reason that Harris went undrafted was because he had an injury issue and the related medical reports labelled him too risky for a pick. That being said, scouting sources believe that Harris injury won’t prevent him from competing for a roster spot in the NFL and playing in the preseason. However, the reports were bad enough to send him to being an undrafted free agent.

After going undrafted, Harris signed with the Minnesota Vikings. The organization didn’t select a safety in the 2015 NFL Draft, so that should help Harris ability to compete for a roster spot. Harrison Smith is set as one starting safety, while Robert Blanton is atop the depth chart at strong safety and had 106 tackles last season. However, the backups of Taylor Mays, Antone Exum, and Andrew Sendejo aren’t players who Minnesota has a big investment in. Harris should be able to compete on a level playing field with all of those players. Signing with the Vikings was a good choice on Harris’ part, and he could end up making that roster as a backup or earn a spot on the practice squad.









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