Four possible trade destinations for Chris Harris Jr.
Oct 29, 2019, 6:31 AM
With the Broncos currently sitting with a 2-6 record and in an obvious rebuilding situation, Denver needs to realize that they need to move on from one of their biggest assets to acquire value for the NFL Draft. Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. is currently the top corner being talked about in trade circles around the NFL. Denver has until 2:00 p.m. today to trade him.
Here are possible destinations for Chris Harris Jr.:
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Philadelphia Eagles
General manager Howie Roseman is one of the most active GMs in the NFL in recent years and he is expected to be active before today’s deadline. Philly is in need of serious secondary help, ranking 20th in passing yards allowed per game and are sitting second in the NFC East with a 4-4 record. Philadelphia could really use an elite corner like Chris Harris Jr. if they want to make a playoff push in a bad division before playing top passing teams in the playoffs. The Eagles currently are expected to have a third- and fourth-round pick coming back in return before the NFL Draft meaning they would have two in each of those rounds. Denver could easily ask for Philly’s third-round pick in return for Harris.
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New Orleans Saints
The Saints are Super Bowl contenders and are looking to go all in one last time with Drew Brees. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer thinks that a second-round pick would be able to get a deal done for Chris Harris Jr. and with the Saints having chance to go deep in the playoffs, their second rounder could end up being more like a third-round pick since they would be drafting so late in the round. Don’t forget that New Orleans’ defensive coordinator is Dennis Allen who was the defensive coordinator with Harris in his rookie season back in 2011. This could be a possible reunion for Harris and Allen.
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Los Angeles Rams
Denver and Los Angeles have made a trade in the past with Aqib Talib and could make another one for Harris. According to a source, the Rams – along with the Saints and 49ers – have all made calls to the Broncos for Harris. L.A. is reportedly looking to move Talib to clear up cap space to try and re-sign Jalen Ramsey in the offseason. If the Rams can acquire Harris, they can make a run to catch the 49ers for the division title and make a playoff run for another Super Bowl appearance. It could make sense to keep all three corners for Wade Phillips who was also Harris’ defensive coordinator in Denver for their Super Bowl 50 win.
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San Francisco 49ers
Denver and the 49ers just made a trade last week for Emmanuel Sanders. Who says they can’t make another trade before 2:00 p.m. today? With San Francisco sitting with a 7-0 record and looking for a Super Bowl appearance, they can add some playoff experience in Harris. Don’t forget that Harris did help shut down Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game in 2016. The only issue here is that the 49ers don’t have picks in the second, third or fourth rounds in 2020. San Francisco would have to send Denver a pick in 2021 and that’s something John Elway would have to think about.
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The smartest thing for the Broncos is to trade Chris Harris Jr. today because the chances of him re-signing in Denver in the offseason is slim to none with this team in a rebuild. John Elway should be busy on the phones trying to make this trade happen so that Denver could stack those draft picks in the early round of the 2020 NFL Draft.