Denver Chris Harris Jr. Reports: Newest on Free-Agent Interest from Cowboys, Jets, More
Denver Rick Scuteri/Associated PressChris Harris Jr.’s credibility precedes him. For several years, the cornerback has provided some of the league’s most suffocating slot protection for the Denver Broncos. Four Pro Bowls, one All-Pro and one Super Bowl later, though, the 30- year-old and the Broncos appear destined to part ways.Of the teams most interested in picking up the tab for Harris’ talent, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Costs, New York Jets and Oakland Raiders head the list: ig: josinaanderson @JosinaAndersonI’m informed the #Cowboys, #Bills, #Jets and #Raiders are among the groups showing interest in impending totally free agent CB Chris Harris, per source.The parting could be mutual. Perhaps it was the fact that Harris only had one interception this season (the very first time since his novice year). Possibly it was since he was pushed into playing exclusively outside in 2019 and felt limited. The latter definitely played a function, as he told Sports Illustrated’s Chad Jensen that the most important deciding factor for a new group, aside from his agreement, was “definitely how they’re going to utilize me.” In all likelihood, it’s because he desires to earn money and the Broncos aren’t in a position to pay for an aging protector better matched to a group pressing for the playoffs.Harris told reporters in December he turned down a three-year, $36 million offer by Denver in 2019 and is now poised to get in unlimited totally free firm for the very first time in his NFL career. The suitors are naturally lining up.The Cowboys and Expenses wish to make a push deeper into the playoffs. The Raiders and Jets, on the other hand, are angling to become playoff regulars and have the cap space to make relocations. Looking at group needs, the Costs are an apparent outlier. They enabled the fourth-lowest passing backyards per game in 2019 (1952) and connected for the second-fewest goals permitted (15). Tre’Davious White is one of the league’s best corners, and the secondary’s cohesion is backed by securities Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. However Buffalo has the most cap space of the previously mentioned teams, at $605 million (fourth-most in the league, per Spotrac), and they may just wish to shoot even higher this year. Following the trade for star receiver Stefon Diggs, the Expenses may be willing to go any distance to get closer to the Lombardi Trophy. The Raiders, alternatively, are the most obvious prospect for Harris’ talents. In spite of giving up 256.7 passing lawns per video game (eighth-most in the NFL) and 33 touchdowns (connected for fourth-most), the group still knocked on the doors of the playoffs in2019 And that lacked rookie first-round safety Johnathan Abram for almost the entire year. The franchise is eager to accelerate its rebuild in its first year on the Las Vegas strip, and Harris is a fantastic alternative to lead the group’s secondary back into efficacy. When it comes to the Cowboys, star corner Byron Jones simply left town to become the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, and the group must be desperate to fill that hole after transitioning to a brand-new coach and re-upping Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper’s contracts.Finally, Harris seems to fit the Jets’ timeline for contention even less than the Raiders’, however you can’t fault a team for desiring to enhance and make life easier for its 22- year-old quarterback, Sam Darnold. New York has $529 million in cap area (seventh-most in the league) and appears delighted to spend big on perceived improvements after shelling out ducats for Le’Veon Bell in2019 It’s uncertain which group will become the front-runner for Harris this offseason. The Bills have the least need but most cash. The Cowboys have the most require but least cash. And the Raiders and Jets are someplace in between. It might wind up boiling down to nearby workers moves as Harris must hesitate to go to a team where depth problems might require him outside of his preferred slot on passing downs.