By Jordan Long
Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. is going to test free agency. He spent the previous 9 years in Denver. Harris has talked about staying in Denver, but he would like to see what his market value is. If Harris leaves, Denver will have a big hole to fill on defense.
Harris has been the top cornerback for Denver and is lined up on the opponents’ number 1 receiver. Quarterbacks have to be careful throwing the ball his way. Harris is able to knock the football away from being caught or picks the football off for interceptions. In his career, Harris totaled 90 passes defended and 20 interceptions.
That would be a difficult position to fill if he goes elsewhere in free agency. Denver has options in free agency including Josh Norman, Bradley Roby, and Byron Jones. Norman wouldn’t be a horrible option but he is older than Harris at 32 years old. Norman has been in the NFL for 8 years with the Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins. In his career, he totaled 79 passes defended and 14 interceptions.
Norman can’t defend the pass anymore like he used to. In the past, he was on the number 1 receiver. His speed is decreasing but could still shine in a defense. He wouldn’t lineup on top wide receivers but the #2 or #3 receiver. The Broncos need a cornerback who can cover the best receivers in the game. Denver is also not really a fit for Norman because Denver plays man to man and Norman is more comfortable playing in a zone-based defense.
Roby is a familiar name for the Denver Broncos. He was in the Mile High City from 2014 to 2018. Last year he agreed to a 1-year contract with the Houston Texans. He would make sense because of his age at 27. He can play man to man defense and showed that with the Texans. Roby totaled 68 passes defended and 9 picks.
Those are pretty decent numbers. Roby has never been the number 1 cornerback on a team but has been the number 2 or 3 cornerback. When Denver tried to place him opposite Chris Harris he struggled at times. He kept letting wide receivers beat him for long gains. Denver may want to stay away from him. Then again, a year away from Denver seemed to have improved his skills.
Another target for Denver is Byron Jones. Jones is 27 but his stats don’t jump out. He knocked away 43 passes while adding 2 interceptions in his 5 years in Dallas. A change of scenery may help him be a better cornerback in this league. It would be a tall task to ask him to fill Chris Harris’ shoes in Denver.
Denver knows their options if Chris Harris leaves in free agency. There is one other alternative, trade for a cornerback. They have been linked to Darius Slay. Slay is under contract for 1 more season and his cap hit is around $13.3 million this year.
Slay is a 7-year veteran in the NFL and Detroit is the only franchise he has played for. Slay has proven to be the number 1 cornerback for the Lions. Slay bats the ball away from being caught with 103 passes defended and 19 interceptions.
The Lions want draft picks for Slay. Denver has a total of 9 draft picks and 5 in the first 3 rounds. It could be if Denver acquires Slay it could cost them a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick or even a 2nd round and a later draft pick. Denver has the ability to negotiate since they have so many selections.
General Manager John Elway is going to do what is best for the team. They need to improve the cornerback position even if Harris stays. Elway will take his time to find the right cornerback to fit the team. The last resort is to draft one which allows that player to learn the NFL game.
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