Myles Harden NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for South Dakota CB
Feb 27, 2024
COLUMBIA, MO - AUGUST 31: After intercepting the ball, South Dakota Coyotes defensive back Myles Harden (1) runs with it for more yardage during a non conference game between the South Dakota Coyotes and the Missouri Tigers held on Thursday Aug 31, 2023 at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia MO. (Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
HEIGHT: 5'11"
WEIGHT: 195
HAND: 9⅜"
ARM: 29⅞"
WINGSPAN: 74"
40-YARD DASH: 4.50
3-CONE: 6.88
SHUTTLE: 3.98
VERTICAL: 35.5"
BROAD: 9'10"
POSITIVES
— Able to play in multiple schemes. Has the awareness and vision to play in zone coverage, combined with the lateral movement skills and short-area quickness to get into the hip pocket from press.
— Aggressive player who does a very good job of triggering to the run and screen games. Plays with good physicality and strength when taking on blocks and tackling.
NEGATIVES
— Lacks on-ball production due to below-average hands to capitalize on his opportunities.
— Can be slow to sink hips and transition at the top of routes, allowing too much separation.
— 2023 first-team FCS All-America (AFCA, Stats Perform, Phil Steele)
— 2023 third-team FCS All-America (AP)
— 2023 first-team All-MVFC
— 2020 freshman FCS All-American team (HERO Sports)
— Shrine Bowl Invite
OVERALL
Myles Harden is an experienced cornerback who started 28 games over four seasons at South Dakota. He was a productive player, especially in the run game.
Harden boasts very good size and length, which shows up multiple ways. When defending the pass, he has the versatility to play from man and zone coverage. He excels in zone, where he is able to use his awareness and vision to anticipate and play the ball.
When in man coverage, Harden has the footwork and quickness needed to play from press. He does a very good job of using his hands and riding the receiver downfield. As he works downfield, he does a good job of quickly getting in phase and getting his head around to find the ball. When transitioning, he tends to be slow and struggles to sink his hips, allowing too much separation to play the ball.
When in off coverage, Harden shows a smooth pedal but often lacks the burst needed and rounds his breaks. He can run with most receivers downfield, but he might not have the top-end speed to run with the twitchier athletes in the NFL.
As a run defender, Harden does a great job of reacting to what he sees. He is quick to trigger to the run and screen game, using his quickness to beat blockers when in space. In tighter areas, he does a good job of using his strength and physicality to take on blocks, but he often looks to keep his leverage and not disengage to beat the block.
When tackling, Harden does a great job of throwing his body around and delivering a blow to ball-carriers. However, he can take poor angles in space and become inconsistent when coming from a distance.
Ultimately, Harden's skill set would fit best in a zone scheme. With his size and physicality, he'd benefit from help over the top, which would allow him to use his vision and route anticipation. Harden projects as a backup player who will have to show his value on special teams to earn an NFL roster spot.
GRADE: 5.4 (Backup/UDFA with Roster Potential — UDFA)
