BRONCOS ARE KEEPING DE HARRIS, ADDING CB DARBY
Broncos hold on to defensive end Harris, agree to terms with free-agent cornerback Darby
Last offseason, free agents Shelby Harris and Ronald Darby were dealt a common-but-still-frustrating hand: A market to their liking didn’t materialize and they signed one-year contracts to remain with the Broncos and join the Washington Football Team, respectively. On Monday, both of their bets paid off … handsomely.
Harris, who earned $3.25 million last season, agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract to remain with the Broncos as a versatile defensive end. Darby, who made $4 million in 2020, agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract to become the Broncos’ projected No. 1 cornerback.
Just like that, hours into the free-agent negotiating window, new general manager George Paton had addressed two key positions and made sure he wouldn’t enter the draft locked into having to select someone at either position.
Next up for Paton and the Broncos is making option decisions on outside linebacker Von Miller and safety Kareem Jackson by Tuesday and restricted free agent calls on running back Phillip Lindsay, receiver Tim Patrick and inside linebacker Alexander Johnson by Wednesday.
If Miller and the Broncos part ways, it will free up $13.875 million that can be allocated to this year’s draft class and a long-term contract for safety Justin Simmons.
If Miller stays put at his current cap number ($22.125 million), Darby could be the Broncos’ only big-money free-agent acquisition.
Barby fits scheme
Darby, 27, was the Broncos’ top-rated free agent cornerback, according to a source. The Broncos view him exclusively as an outside defender, which means Bryce Callahan and/or Essang Bassey are tentatively penciled in to cover the slot receiver.
“Good player,” an NFL executive said of Darby. “Fits scheme well. Good in off coverage. Has quick feet. Very good ball skills. Just has had some durability issues.”
Armed with the ninth overall pick in the April 29 draft, Paton doesn’t necessarily have to stay put and draft Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley or Alabama’s Patrick Surtain with the understanding he needs an immediate No. 1 cornerback.
With Darby in the fold, Paton could look to trade down — acquiring an extra second- or thirdround pick in the process — and consider Northwestern’s Greg Newsome late in the first or a player such as Georgia’s Eric Stokes in the second.
One plan for the Broncos could be using Darby and the to-be-determined rookie as the base package corners and using Callahan as strictly the nickel back, which would decrease his playing time but help get him to the finish line healthy.
Like Callahan, Darby’s main has issue has been durability.
A second-round pick by Buffalo, Darby missed three games in his first two years. But upon being traded to Philadelphia, he missed eight games in 2017 (ankle), seven in ’18 (knee) and five in ’19 (hand/hip).
His best season was 2017, when he had three interceptions as a starter on the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning team.
Darby signed a one-year deal to remain with the Eagles in ’19 (two interceptions) and settled for the aforementioned one-year contract with Washington nearly three weeks into free agency last year.
Playing for former Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio in Washington, Darby started every game, played a career-high 1,002 snaps and his 16 pass breakups (no interceptions) were fifth-most in the NFL. According to Pro Football Reference, opponents had an 81.0 rating when targeting Darby (one touchdown).
Darby has career totals of 73 games (72 starts), 306 tackles, eight interceptions and 81 pass break-ups.
The onus on rebuilding the cornerback room is finding ways to create more takeaways. The Broncos’ 10 interceptions in 2020 were tied for 23rd-most and their 16 total takeaways were fourthfewest.
A.J. Bouye was acquired via trade from Jacksonville last March, but he fought injuries before ending the year on suspension and was cut last month. Callahan was arguably the Broncos’ best defensive player until he was shut down with four games remaining. Bassey was in and out of the lineup as an undrafted rookie and tore his ACL at Kansas City. And rookie Micheal O jemudia led the defense with 15 missed tackles.
Harris “sets tee toke”
Harris was being pursued by other NFL teams when his agent, Ryan Williams, announced the Broncos’ agreement on Twitter.
“Shelby sets the tone on our defensive line,” Paton said on the Broncos’ website. “As a disruptive pass rusher and physical run defender, he’s hard to handle up front. We’re excited to have Shelby back.”
In 11 games last year, Harris had 32 tackles in 441 snaps. According to The Denver Post’s game charting, Harris had 13 quarterback disruptions (2½ sacks) and 5½ run “stuffs.” Where he is one of the league’s best is at batting down/ deflecting passes, with 20 in the last three years.
Harris was in the midst of a career year when he missed four games with COVID-19; he missed the season finale with a knee injury.
Re-signing Harris allows the Broncos to have their Week 1 starting defensive line in the fold. Harris and Dre’Mont Jones will start at defensive end and Mike Purcell at nose tackle. Harris and Jones also give coach Vic Fangio flexibility because they can serve as interior pass rushers on third down.
Harris’ deal came shortly after the Jacksonville Jaguars signed defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris to a three-year, $24.4 million contract to leave the Chicago Bears. Robertson-Harris played for Fangio in 201718 and was believed to be on the Broncos’ radar had they not resigned Harris. Statistically, Harris is the superior player (67 games, 168 tackles and 16½ sacks) compared to Robertson-Harris (52 games, 75 tackles and 7½ sacks).
Harris was drafted by the Raiders in the seventh round in 2014 from Illinois State, but appeared in just eight games over two seasons for the team while being waived four times. Harris then had short stints with the Jets and the Cowboys in 2016 but never made either roster.
Since arriving in Denver in January 2017 after being waived by Dallas, Harris bootstrapped his way up the depth chart to become a primary contributor. He started all 16 games for the first time in his career in 2019 (49 tackles, six sacks and nine pass break-ups).