Chris Harris On The Trade Block, Denver May Look To Deal Him At The Deadline

By Jordan Long

The Denver Broncos fell to 2-6 after a 13-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.  Denver is filled with trade rumors including one of their top cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr.  The trade deadline is tommorow at 2 PM Mountain Time.

                Denver knows what kind of athlete Harris is.  He has been in Denver since 2011.  Harris was an undrafted free agent who made the team.   In his time in Denver, Harris has become the team’s best cornerback and is usually on the opponents’ top receiver.  Quarterbacks don’t throw his way because they know he will either tip it away or pick it off.  Harris has a total of 20 interceptions and 88 passes defended in his career.

                This season hasn’t been great for him.  In a contract year, Harris isn’t shown up.  Part of that is quarterbacks aren’t throwing his way and some of it is on him. Harris has 4 passes defended and 1 interception which is not All-Pro material. He has allowed wide receivers to catch the ball for 1^st downs.  Yesterday was a prime example.  With 1:48 left in the game and Denver up by 1, Harris somehow decided to stop playing coverage on T.Y. Hilton.  It could have been that he thought Von Miller had sacked Colt’s quarterback Jacoby Brissett but he didn’t.   Brissett found Hilton for a gain of 35 yards and Harris was at least 3 yards behind Hilton.  That catch helped the Colts move down the field for the game winning field goal. It was almost like Harris gave up on the play. 

Harris could be dealt before the deadline.  He is a free agent at the end of the year.  There isn’t a guarantee he would be in Denver next year.  Denver could let him go to another team for 2^nd, 3^rd, or a 4^th round pick.  It would be something back for him.  Denver is looking to stockpile picks to rebuild for 2020 and beyond.

                It is possible Denver may not let Harris go.  They know how valuable he is to the defense and if they decide to trade him, it could signal the waving of the white flag on the year.  Denver may even reach a new contract with him at the end of the season.  Elway will do what is best before the trade deadline. If moving on from Harris is the right move, then Elway should pull the trigger.