Chris Harris Jr is 86th best player in the NFL

The NFL releases their yearly top 100 players as voted on by players. Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. ranks 86th out of the top 100 in 2018…

Every year the NFL releases their top 100 players voted on by other NFL players. The first twenty players were revealed April 30^th, and we have one Bronco on the board. Chris Harris Jr. is ranked as the 86^th best player according to peers.

Although being in the top 100 out of 1,696 roster spots is flattering, for stars like Harris it is motivation. Harris, a former undrafted free agent, has had to earn the respect of his peers every single year.

This situation is no different.

Despite playing stellar football his first three years in the league, it wasn’t until his forth season in 2014 that he finally cracked a Pro Bowl or All Pro roster.

According to Pro Football Focus, Harris was the 8^th best cornerback in football in 2013. He was the top corner in 2014, and number two in 2015. He didn’t crack the top 100 after his 2014 season and was only 52^nd after 2015.

One could argue 2017 was a down year for Harris, but even with a slight regression he remains one of the top corners in the game. Despite playing the entire season, he ranked behind JJ Watt who played in only five games. This is not to say Watt isn’t an incredible talent, but if the voting is for the previous season how does an injured Watt beat out Harris?

Chris Harris Jr is still elite

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Harris is an elite and versatile cornerback able to cover the outside and slide into the slot, which he often does. This past year, Harris covered the second most qualifying slot routes according Ian Wharton’s coverage productivity report. Covering from the slot is a difficult task, and Harris took it on quite often.

As I analyzed in a previous post, nearly a third of the yards allowed this season by Harris were due to crossing routes. Covering the slot is difficult but covering crossing routes out of the slot is another level of difficulty. However, he still performed admirably allowing just six catches for 75 yards.

Some of the slight regression in analytics can also be pointed back to the Denver Broncos team struggles. The offense often left the defense in such a bad position, the defense couldn’t pull them out. Additionally, the pass rush was slowed by teams focusing on running the ball with a lead.

Personally, I find it a disgrace that players only think Harris was the 86^th best player and Bruce Irvin or rookie Marshon Lattimore were ranked ahead him. I’m not the only one. Harris is using it as more motivation (as if he needed more).

Watch out NFL, you just put another chip on Harris’s shoulder. If the past seven years are any indication, Harris only ups the performance the more doubt comes in. With the addition of Bradley Chubb, Su’a Cravens, and Clinton McDonald, I expect Denver’s defense and Chris Harris Jr to return to 2015 form.