NFL’s most underrated: Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr.
As we continue to examine the most underrated players in the NFL, there might not be anyone more so than Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr.
Being underrated is nothing new for Harris, though, as coming out of high school he was a two-star prospect and no one gave him a second thought going into the 2011 NFL Draft. In fact, one of the best in the business — NFL Network’s Mike Mayock — publicly apologized for forgetting Harris later on.
Even his own NFL team, the Denver Broncos, passed on Harris all throughout the draft despite having plenty of picks throughout and a roster full of holes inherited by then first-year GM John Elway.
Four years later, Harris has cemented himself among the NFL’s elite, but he doesn’t get nearly enough recognition for it. In NFL Network’s Top 100 players series, as voted on by the players, Harris wasn’t even ranked 100.
That stung.
Especially so after a season where he didn’t give up a catch over 25 yards, didn’t give up a touchdown, and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ best cornerback in the entire league. Not only that, but Harris does things a lot of the other ‘best’ cornerbacks don’t do — he plays all over the field.
The Broncos use Harris as an outside corner, but he still plays the nickel spot as well as a little safety. That’s how Harris got his start in the league. Breaking in with the Broncos as a UDFA in 2011, Harris cemented his spot in the lineup when he took advantage of nickel duties, absolutely blanketing receivers and showing that he could not only cover, but he could hit as well.
Harris’ ability to shut down one side of the field was inherited by the great Champ Bailey, who was instrumental in Harris’ early development.
After four seasons of meteoric ascent, Harris was rewarded with a brand new contract from the Broncos, worth around $8 million per season. He admitted to the media later that he could have gotten way more on the open market, and based on this past year’s free agent period, he was clearly right.
But Harris signed with the Broncos because he wanted to, because he established himself there and he will continue to do so. Did I mention, that what he did last season — leading the way for cornerbacks in PFF grade, allowing no touchdowns, and playing all over the field while doing so — came after he tore his ACL in the Broncos’ playoff run the year prior?
How’s that for a timeline?
In January, a torn ACL. In September, back in the starting lineup at nearly full strength. The following January? A brand new five-year contract coming off of the best season of his career.
This is one of the hardest workers in the league, and a player who deserves way more recognition than he gets. Not only is Harris the most underrated Broncos player, but he might be the most underrated player in the entire NFL.