Raiders keen on size, then Zxavian Harris an ideal nose tackle

We’ve spent a lot of time and word count exploring defensive tackle prospects in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft that fit the Las Vegas Raiders.

And for good reason.

With the Silver & Black adopting a 3-4 defensive front under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, the hours spent pouring over interior prospects is on the nose — literally. Because the trademark of a sound odd-front defense is a gargantuan presence at nose tackle. Our Matt Holder did a sound job outlining what the Raiders’ Plan A, B, C at nose should be. Holder even broke down a prospect with one of my favorite names: “Big Citrus” Domonique Orange, a 6-foot-2 and 322-pounder from Iowa State.

Here, we have another look at a nose tackle prospect. This one is a true goliath and mammoth of an interior lineman though — Ole Miss’ Zxavian Harris. The Mississippi native measured in at 6-foot-8 and tipped the scales at 330-pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine including a freakish arm length of 34 5/8-inches.

Las Vegas is missing an attention-drawing and powerful presence in the middle of the defensive line and Harris brings that all in spades as a Big Daddy Kane-type nose tackle.

By The Numbers
Zxavian Harris, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss

2025: 15 games, 58 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 interception, 3 pass deflections
Career: (2022-25), 52 games, 123 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 1 interception, 3 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble

Generally projected to be a Day 3 pick (fourth through sixth rounds), Harris would represent Plan D when using Holder’s assessment. While some tout the Rebels’ gargantuan defensive tackle as high as a Day 2 pick (rounds two and three), it’s the massive size, length, and power alongside with disruptive film that makes Harris an intriguing prospect.

Plugged all over Ole Miss’ defensive line, Harris showed he can operate as a three-, four-, and five-technique defensive tackle where his massive arm length keeps blockers at bay. And with a strong lower and upper body, Harris generates quite the jolt with knock back power that results in quick stalemates or overwhelming offensive linemen from the get.

While alignment versatility is a plus, his pro-level spot is ideally at nose tackle and with his physical traits, he’d be an ideal nose tackle to anchor the Raiders’ front. He’s adept at overpowering offensive linemen at the snap, not losing ground, and has the functional strength to disengage and shed blockers to ruin the run game. For the 3-4 to work, the three defensive linemen must occupy blocks while also getting push and nary an interior offensive linemen is going to match Harris’ 6-foot-8 and 330-pound frame.

Despite being a larger prospect — which rightfully brings energy and stamina concerns over the course of four professional quarters — Harris showcases the ability to recover, re-enter the fray, and help finish plays when other linemen of his size are washed out. The combination of massive size, length, and power are mismatched traits and Harris has untapped potential — which all should appeal to Leonard who was the Raiders’ defensive line boss before interviewing for and ascending to the defensive play caller role for head coach Klint Kubiak in Las Vegas.

Yet, like every prospect, there’s areas of opportunity for Harris.

While he brings elite arm length to the table, there’s plenty to be desired with hand usage and hand fighting. Heading into the draft, Harris relies more on power instead of technique and in the NFL, he’ll have to become adept at using both. While he may not face interior offensive linemen of similar height and power, their technique can render Harris’ strengths moot if the defensive tackle doesn’t improve using his hands, feet, and length all in unison.

Harris also relies too much on his bull rush and if he can get seasoning with hand placement, said rush and jolt will become even more powerful. While he can push the pocket, if his power game fails, there’s very little recourse for Harris. He needs to develop counters and other moves at the pro level alongside footwork, body control, and balance.

Leonard, alongside defensive line coach Travis Smith and assistant defensive line coach Kenyon Jackson would be integral to Harris’ refinement in the NFL but a dedicated staff can unleash even more of a monster than what Harris showed in college. A 15-game starter for Ole Miss, Harris racked up 58 total tackles with nine stops for loss alongside three sacks. And with Las Vegas already having a Rebel defensive tackle on the roster — JJ Pegues, taken in the sixth round of the 2025 draft and has the profile to be a nose tackle, too — a built-in relationship waits in the wings.

However, the biggest knock on Harris is off-field woes. In 2023 he was arrested in July on DUI and felony fleeing charges. And in 2024, he was arrested in August on domestic violence (DV) and obstructing arrest charges. The former is traditionally a non-starter when it comes to Raiders owner Mark Davis, largely due to team’s direct involvement with the Tracey Biletnikoff Foundation, created by hall of fame Raiders wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff to support community substance abuse treatment and domestic violence programs. (See a free agent or a prospect with immense talent but DV issues and you can usually count them out becoming Raiders).

So a team will have to do immense due diligence on Harris and see if he’s a changed prospect even though he played in 13 games (three starts) in 2024 at Ole Miss and then 15 the following season.

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