Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and safety Rahim Moore (26) react during the second half against the against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. has gone from undrafted free agent out of Kansas to the best cornerback in the NFL. You didn’t mis-read that, either.
Yes, Richard Sherman, Chris Harris Jr. is the best, most versatile cornerback in the NFL, and there’s nothing you can really do about it by staying on that one side of the field.
In an interview with Brandon Spano, who covers the Broncos and has a close relationship with Harris, the Broncos’ corner says he’s the best in the NFL at his position right now. Even coming off of that ACL injury.
“I’m starting out hot. Right now I think I’m the top corner.” He added, “I play man-to-man, inside and outside. I’m here to show everybody that labeled me a slot corner that I can play outside and inside.”
Certainly over the last three years, Harris has been the best slot cornerback in the NFL, despite Walter Thurmond’s claims. Harris has been as shut-down as they come, and his absence was as big as any of the many the Broncos suffered through in the Super Bowl.
With Harris back in the lineup playing outside, he’s proven that not only is he a top slot cornerback, but he’s also a top flight all-around corner, one that–like he said–can play both inside and outside and have great success.
Harris even addressed a comparison between he and Richard Sherman at this point, the guy who is generally considered to be the best corner in the league right now Here’s what he said.
“Me and Sherman are totally two different types of cornerbacks.” He finished that statement by saying, “I play all over the field, he (Sherman) only plays on the left side. I’m more versatile; I play everywhere.”
It’s hard to argue, and especially hard when you throw on game film. Harris is undoubtedly one of the cornerstone pieces of the Broncos’ defense, and his attitude and approach to the game clearly hasn’t changed since he was an undrafted player. He’s going to stop at nothing to prove he’s the best corner in the league, and most of all to someday become a Super Bowl champion.