Philadelphia Eagles: Five players to target before the trade deadline

Chris Harris Jr., Cornerback, Denver Broncos

Probably the most underrated cornerback in the game that doesn’t get recognized by most in the conversation for best at the position is Chris Harris Jr. of the Denver Broncos.

He may not be your typical outside, lockdown cornerback that most picture when discussing the best corners in the league, but his versatility and productivity have made him a very valuable asset to the Broncos secondary for years now, and if he is on the market, Denver’s phone should be ringing off the hook.

Harris is likely used to being a bit overlooked, as he went undrafted in 2011 before signing with the Broncos out of Kansas. Then as he was coming into his own as a top corner in the league, the Broncos went and signed another Kansas Jayhawk cornerback in Aqib Talib.

Talib and his big personality took over the limelight in the Denver secondary while Harris continued to be one of the best in the game, making three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-2016, capping off that run with an All-Pro selection.

Harris is now seemingly the only reliable corner on the Broncos roster, and after winning a Super Bowl in 2016 it looks as though he a member of a team going nowhere fast.

While many members of the Broncos team insist that the season is not lost, it appears as though the focus is on the future for general manager John Elway and the Denver organization. The Broncos just traded away top receiver Emmanuel Sanders to the 49ers for a pair of draft picks, and the rebuilding process may have commenced.

Is a 30-year-old Harris in the plans for Denver? They continue to say so. But for the right offer, I’m sure they would be willing to move on and acquire more valuable draft capital and young assets. Enter the Philadelphia Eagles and Howie Roseman.

The Philadelphia Eagles secondary has been terrible. Atrocious. Abominable. Any negative adjective that you can come up with, it probably fits the bill for the back-end of the Philly D this season. With young corners not panning out as the team had hoped and a plethora of injury issues, the Eagles need help at corner and they need it yesterday.

Any sort of defensive back with a proven background would be an upgrade at this point for the Eagles. They clearly believe that to be true with their failed attempt to get some production out of former Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick who was released following this week’s loss.

Harris would be a godsend for the Philadelphia Eagles right about now. You can plug him in anywhere in that secondary and he would shut his opponent down. Harris can play on the outside, and also excels in the slot. His ability to move all over the field is a great asset and something you don’t often see with elite corners, as guys like Richard Sherman, for example, typically just stay on one side of the field and cover whatever receiver happens to be lined out outside on his end.

Harris can follow around whoever the coaches would like him to. Big and fast, small and quick, Harris can cover anyone. Over the course of the rest of the season, the Eagles will encounter the likes of John Brown, Allen Robinson, Julian Edelman, Tyler Lockett, Golden Tate, Preston Williams, Terry McLaurin, and Amari Cooper.

Many of these receivers have the speed that has been burning the Eagles secondary all year long. A couple have the size and height to go up and win jump balls against the current Eagles corners. And most importantly, a lot of these top receivers that they will face often lineup in the slot.

Now, in no way would Harris be considered the Eagles “nickel” corner. He would be the top corner who covers the opposing team’s best receiver wherever they line up, even if it is in the slot. He may cost the Philadelphia Eagles a first-round pick and then some, but after missing out on Jalen Ramsey, Harris is a guy that they really need to get.

It is clear that the Eagles secondary could use any and all help that it can get. I’m sure the Eagles would target any top corner that may come available, but I think Harris may be the guy that is most likely to be moved.

Patrick Peterson, A.J. Bouye, Desmond Trufant, Janoris Jenkins and Xavien Howard would all be welcomed additions if they were to be made available by their respective teams. Regardless of who it is, an elite cornerback needs to be the top priority for the Eagles right now.