Most fifth-round picks aren't voted first-team All-Americas. Most fifth-round picks aren't trusted to contribute right away after switching positions. Most fifth-round picks don't start the very first game of their NFL career.
Macho Harris isn't most fifth-round picks.
A rookie, Harris has been selected by head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott to be the opening day free safety, a position Harris has only been playing for about two months.
"The coaches feel like I'm prepared for this, so that's why they made the decision," Harris said. "But all I can control is what I can control, and that's all I worry about.
"I just focus on doing what I'm coached to do, effort, and being coachable. At this level, I feel like everybody is at the same level as far as athleticism and ability."
Harris emerged from a crowded crop of safeties to grab the starting safety spot opposite Quintin Mikell. Harris believes Mikell is the perfect guy to have alongside him.
"Quintin Mikell's helping me out a lot," Harris said. "He's a guy similar like me. Came in in the late rounds (Mikell was undrafted), came in and made a name for himself; so I wanted to do what he did so I could become successful just like he is. Basically, I'm just following his footsteps and continuing to do what I'm coached to do."
Mikell has helped Harris make the difficult transition from corner to safety. It's a transition that Harris says has been challenging both physically and mentally.
"Playing safety, it's like you're the quarterback of the defense," he said. "You have to know your checks, know where to put the players in the right positions when formations change. From a mental standpoint it's definitely different. Playing corner, you can go out there, boom, you got man-to-man, work your technique.
"It's definitely more physical because I can remember, in college, there might be a game where I only had one tackle. Playing free safety, we're around the ball a lot. As far as guarding the receivers, you know the majority of the receivers are quick guys and I could get my hands on them and I can direct them wherever I want them. But tight ends, they're a little physical and big, so I have to bring a little more weight."
But Harris says he has an advantage over the physically imposing tight ends.
"I have to use my speed," he said. "I'm physical. I consider myself a physical player so the physical part is no problem, but where I get over is my speed, my quickness."
The aspect of playing safety that most excites Harris is the opportunity to make plays.
"Have that chip on your shoulder and fly around," he said. "We get to be around the ball a lot, so we get to make plays. Whether it's picks, pass breakups, or stripping the ball attempts, we get to be around the ball a lot."
One thing's for sure, Harris has come a long way since the start of training camp. Not only has his play improved at safety, but so has his attitude towards the position.
"It was new," Harris said. "I just came out of college; I didn't know anything about free safety.
"I didn't know my alignments. I felt like I was covering grass rather than being around and making plays and stuff like that. But now that I've been used to it and coach (McDermott) has coached me up, Quintin Mikell, even Quintin Demps, he helped me out a lot too. I have a great bunch of guys around me that are helping me in my transition."
