The Saints Bet On Ole Miss Prospect Zxavian Harris In The Post-Draft

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The NFL Draft is often called a "crapshoot," but the real gambling usually happens in the frantic hours after the final pick is called. On Friday, the New Orleans Saints placed their chips on a massive, high-stakes prospect: former Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris.

By agreeing to terms with Harris to fill an open spot on their 90-man roster, the Saints didn't just add depth; they added a 6-foot-8, 330-pound human eclipse. On paper, Harris is a first-round specimen. On the field, he was a disruptive force for the Rebels. But off the field, his story is far more complicated—and that is exactly why he was available for the price of a phone call.

The Physical Ceiling: A "Mountain Among Trees"

If you were building a defensive tackle in a laboratory, it would look like Zxavian Harris. His stats at Ole Miss tell the story of a player who isn't just big, but active:

• 17.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 career sacks.
• 6 blocked kicks: A rare special teams value that showcases his elite length and wingspan.
• Interior Versatility: He has shown the ability to play anywhere from the 0-tech nose to a 5-tech end.

For a Saints defense that has occasionally felt soft in the middle, Harris offers "beef" with a side of pass-rush upside. If he can refine his hand placement and leverage, which is a common issues for players of his extreme height, he has the potential to push established veterans like Bryan Bresee.

The Red Flags: Why He Slipped

The reason Harris wasn't one of the 257 players drafted wasn't due to lack of talent, but it’s related to a track record that has NFL general managers understandably wary.

• 2023: An arrest involving felony fleeing, DUI, and reckless driving.
• 2024: A domestic violence and obstructing arrest charge.
• Injury: A recent foot surgery following the NFL Combine further clouded his immediate availability.

Ole Miss coach Pete Golding recently called Harris’s undrafted status a "blessing in disguise," suggesting that the wake-up call of being passed over by every team in the league might be the catalyst Harris needs to find professional maturity.