Denver Broncos: After re-signing Shelby Harris, defensive line suddenly looks solid

Entering the offseason, the Denver Broncos appeared to have a major issue along the defensive front.

Shelby Harris, Derek Wolfe and Adam Gotsis, the three starters entering the 2019 season, were all set to become unrestricted free agents. The team had salary cap room to maneuver but as the signing period began, many of the defensive linemen connected to the team began to sign elsewhere.

As D.J. Reader joined the Cincinnati Bengals, Jarran Reed re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks and Jordan Phillips became a member of the Arizona Cardinals, doubt started to creep in about how the Broncos’ defensive line would take shape.

The team filled one hole in a big way by obtaining Jurrell Casey from the Tennessee Titans in a trade.

Then, late on Friday night, the team agreed to terms with Shelby Harris, making sure he didn’t leave Denver. Harris had been seeking a big payday with another team, but after nearly two weeks of searching, he decided to return to the Broncos.

Though it’s just a one-year deal, it does give Harris the chance to land the payday he covets next season and finish his career in Denver.

Many will look at this signing and assume that Harris settled on staying with the Broncos, but perhaps the addition of Casey persuaded him to stay with the team he has spent the past three seasons with.

Harris is coming off a career year with the Broncos. He registered 49 tackles and had six sacks as well as one forced fumble. In the process, he became one of the league’s best at knocking passes down at the line of scrimmage, totaling nine of those on the season.

He then capped the season off by knocking down a pass by Derek Carr on a two-point conversion attempt that would have given the Oakland Raiders the victory had it succeeded.

Fans didn’t want to see big No. 96 leave and now, they don’t have to worry about it.

Though it seems Wolfe has played his final game with the team, the Broncos brought in Casey, who is a major upgrade. He and Harris should be able to combine to wreak havoc against opposing offenses, freeing up lanes for Von Miller and Bradley Chubb to do what they do best.

The team still has Dre’Mont Jones, an improved DeMarcus Walker and Mike Purcell, who was as good as anyone against the run last year. Suddenly, the defensive line is not a weakness on this team, but potentially one of its biggest strengths.

Though the Broncos may still have some moves up their sleeve in free agency, bringing back Harris rounds out what appears to be a successful haul for the team this offseason.