Chris Harris Trade Imminent?
Broncos star Chris Harris could be hours away from changing jerseys. The Broncos have received interest in the cornerback and something could happen over the next two days of the draft, James Palmer of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The offers were strong enough to prompt Denver to make a deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears and the Broncos are expected to decide on one of them soon.
Meanwhile, Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter) has received conflicting info – there is little-to-no trade interest in Harris right now, a source says, so today may be do-or-die for a trade. If Harris is not moved for a second or third round pick, the Broncos may follow through on their original plan of negotiating with the cornerback sometime after the draft.
The Broncos don’t want to meet Harris’ $15MM/year demand, but plenty of other teams might, especially if they don’t have to fork over much in the way of draft compensation. Harris would immediately bolster the secondary of any team he joins and his value may be bolstered by a so-so crop of corners in this year’s draft.
On Thursday night, the Giants made Deandre Baker the one and only cornerback selected in the first round, leaving a group of CBs including LSU’s Greedy Williams, Temple’s Rock Ya-Sin, Michigan State’s Justin Layne, Notre Dame’s Julian Love, Central Michigan’s Sean Bunting still on the board. There’s definitely potential in that group, but none of those players would match the immediate impact of Harris.
Steelers Acquire No. 10 From Broncos
We have a trade! The Broncos have traded the No. 10 pick to the Steelers, reports Ross Tucker of The Athletic (via Twitter). Pittsburgh has used the pick to select Michigan linebacker Devin Bush.
In exchange for the 10th-overall pick, the Broncos acquired three draft selections. ESPN’s Field Yates tweets that the Steelers will send Denver No. 20, No. 52, and a 2020 third-rounder.
Bush will provide the Steelers with a talented three-down linebacker who they can immediately insert into their starting lineup. Bush has shown an ability to thrive in both man-to-man and zone coverage, and he also flashed some pass-rushing prowess during his tenure at Michigan. The 20-year-old followed up a breakout 2017 campaign with another impressive season in 2018. Bush ultimately finished the year having compiled 41 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
The Steelers currently have two former first-rounders, T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree, slotted in as starting linebackers. Bush will likely occupy one of the two inside spots alongside either Vince Williams or free agent addition Mark Barron.
Despite the offseason addition of veteran Joe Flacco, there were whispers that the Broncos could end up selecting a quarterback with the 10th pick. The team could still end up taking a signal-caller at No. 20, where a number of prospects should still be available. Either way, the trade allows the team to add some much needed depth.
Breer’s Latest: Jets, Broncos, Rudolph
Some assorted notes from SI.com’s Albert Breer leading up to tonight’s draft…
- The Jets are beginning to gain some traction on a deal involving the third-overall pick. Breer mentions that the Redskins could be a match, with the team presumably eyeing a quarterback. Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins could be an option, as could Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray (if he isn’t taken with the first-overall pick). Breer notes that if the Jets remain in the top-10, they could opt for Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who one scout described as “the epitome of a [defensive coordinator] Gregg Williams player.”
- Missouri quarterback Drew Lock is “rising continuously in draft meetings” among the Broncos front office. The team could be eyeing him with pick No. 10, or they could be preparing for a scenario where Lock falls towards the bottom of the first round.
- After paying Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter, the Vikings could be looking to deal one of their other pricey veterans. Tight end Kyle Rudolph could be a trade candidate, and Breer writes that he wouldn’t be shocked if the Patriots make a play for the pass-catcher. The writer mentions cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes as well as wideout Laquon Treadwell as trade candidates.
- Two players who are set to play on their fifth-year option are on the block. Breer writes that Eagles receiver Nelson Agholor and 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead “have been part of trade discussions.” On the flip side, Breer believes that it’s unlikely that the 49ers trade defensive lineman Solomon Thomas.
- If Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat gets past the Redskins (No. 15), Panthers (No. 16), or Seahawks (No.21), Breer is unsure how far the defensive end could end up falling. Breer points to the Rams as a potential fit at the end of the first round. Reports indicated that Sweat was diagnosed with a heart condition, although there were rumblings today that he may have been misdiagnosed.
Vic Fangio Wants Devin Bush At No. 10
- Vic Fangio‘s previous team used the No. 8 overall pick to nab Roquan Smith. He may have a similar wish this year. The Broncos‘ first-year coach “very badly” wants Devin Bush to spearhead his new linebacking corps, La Canfora notes. Denver cut its top coverage linebacker, Brandon Marshall, earlier this year and has a need for a three-down inside ‘backer.
- The Steelers made calls about possibly trading up for a defender, but they may be resigned to the fact they will not be able to add one of their targets. They do not view Bush as an attainable player, per JLC (on Twitter). With the Broncos linked to Bush at 10, the Steelers would have to likely jump at least 11 draft slots to be in strong position to land the Michigan linebacker prospect.
Latest On Broncos, CB Chris Harris
Chris Harris wants a new contract that will pay him upwards of $15MM/year. The Broncos don’t want to give it to him, which makes sense given their cap situation. However, the logic behind their stance is a bit puzzling.
[RELATED: Broncos Unlikely To Take QB At No. 10]
The Broncos are wary about paying Harris near the top of the market with his 30th birthday on the horizon, Albert Breer of The MMQB hears. Meanwhile, they’re just weeks removed from giving Kareem Jackson a three-year, $33MM deal, which was the richest deal ever given to a cornerback in his 30s.
If Harris is moved, it’s possible that the Broncos will shift their focus to cornerbacks in the draft. But, right now, it seems more likely that the Broncos will target inside linebacker, defensive line, and tight end.
Broncos Unlikely To Take QB At No. 10
One of the more traditional NFL franchises, in terms of offseason aggression, the Steelers appear to recognize the urgency their recent defensive struggles have created. They are making calls about a possible trade-up from their No. 20 spot, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Steelers boast big needs at cornerback and linebacker. It is believed the Steelers will be able to land a corner, perhaps the first corner to go in this draft, at 20. But if Pittsburgh wants to make a big move for a linebacker, it will likely need to acquire a top-10 pick. Devin White is viewed at this point as a top-10 lock, and the Broncos have been the team most connected to Devin Bush at No. 10.
- John Elway also mentioned the probable 2020 QB class this offseason, and it appears likely his team will not select a signal-caller at No. 10. The Broncos have been connected to quarterback at 10, but it doesn’t seem like that will be the move, James Palmer of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Instead, it seems more likely that the Broncos will target inside linebacker, defensive line, and tight end help in the draft.
- More consistently linked to QBs than either the Dolphins or Broncos, the Giants have a major decision between their top short- or long-term need at No. 6. Viewed as possibly having executed a Haskins smokescreen operation, the Giants may prefer Jones or Drew Lock over him. While Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv notes they “love” both Jones and Lock, neither may be in play at No. 6. Instead, Big Blue may be gambling it can land one of them at No. 17. This would point to the Giants selecting a pass rusher with their initial first-round pick tonight.
Draft Rumors: Bush, Redskins, Rams
Let’s round up the latest draft rumors in advance of tonight’s main event:
- We heard several days ago that the Falcons were interested in trading into the Top 10, and that they had their sights set on defensive linemen like Christian Wilkins and offensive linemen. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network confirms that Atlanta is indeed interested in moving up, but his sources say the club’s target is actually linebacker Devin Bush (Twitter link). Per Pelissero, the Falcons would need to leapfrog the Broncos, who hold the No. 10 overall pick, to assure themselves of landing Bush.
- Despite all of the rumors suggesting that the Redskins are interested in making a big trade up into the Top 5, Pro Football Talk says that all of the calls that team president Bruce Allen are making are just an example of Allen being Allen and that Washington doesn’t really have a desire to make a move (Twitter link).
- Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets that the Rams, who hold the No. 31 overall pick in tonight’s draft, have received a number of calls from teams wanting to trade into the back end of the first round. First-rounders, of course, can be kept under club control for five years instead of four.
- As Pelissero notes in a separate tweet, the teams that have shown the most interest in trading down from their current first-round slots are the Jets (No.3), Lions (No. 8), Dolphins (No. 13), Seahawks (Nos. 21 & 29), and Rams (No. 31).
- If Kyler Murray should start to fall down the draft board, he may end up having a better financial future in baseball. As Albert Breer of SI.com notes, MLB’s Oakland A’s have offered him a $14MM “sweetener” on top of the $4.6MM bonus he was already due after the club drafted him last year, for a total of $18.66MM. That number would land between the 10th and 11th overall picks in tonight’s NFL draft, so if Murray ends up falling that far, teams are concerned that he would return to the diamond. But Breer still thinks that Murray will be the No. 1 overall pick tonight.
- Breer calls Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons the most interesting prospect in the draft. He is one of the top defensive players in his class, but the troubling video showing him striking a woman in high school, along with his ACL tear, have completely removed him from some teams’ draft boards. But there is still a good chance that he will be selected in the first round tonight.
- The Panthers and Vikings are both very serious about addressing their needs along the offensive line with early draft picks, as Breer notes in a separate piece. Both clubs used a high number of top-30 visits on O-linemen.
- LSU cornerback Andraez “Greedy” Williams is perhaps the most talented corner in the draft, but as Breer notes, he comes with plenty of red flags concerning his toughness, work ethic, and personality. He did not make a single pre-draft visit, and despite his upside, he could slip out of the first round.
Chris Harris Wants To Stay With Broncos
The Broncos are listening to trade offers for cornerback Chris Harris Jr., Mike Klis of 9News hears. Meanwhile, Harris says his preference is to stay put – though he wants a new contract in order to remain in Denver.
“Oh, yeah, definitely,’’ Harris said when asked if fences can be mended. “I want to be here so we can salvage it.’’
When asked how his tenuous relationship with the team can be salvaged, Harris replied: “You know how.”
The Broncos, Klis hears, “won’t give him away,” which suggests that this saga could drag on for a while. The Broncos, for now, are unwilling to meet Harris’ demand of a deal that will pay him in excess of $15MM/year.
There will undoubtedly be a market for Harris’ services, but any club considering him will have to factor in the cost of a new contract in addition to the assets surrendered in a trade. Klis hears that one team inquired on Harris earlier this week, before things came to a boil on Tuesday.
Klis adds in a separate tweet that GM John Elway is in no rush to deal Harris, so perhaps the two side can, in fact, find some common ground.
Latest On Broncos, Chris Harris
Chris Harris wants a new contract from the Broncos that will pay him more than $15MM/year or a trade to a club that will give him the deal he desires. Right now, it sounds like the latter scenario is more likely. The Broncos are unwilling to meet his demands, Mike Klis of 9News hears. 
Harris is entering the final year of a five-year extension he signed in December 2014. The deal has him tied for 24th in the league in terms of average annual value. Meanwhile, he’s among the very best at his position.
Harris felt slighted by the Broncos’ decision to ink free agent Kareem Jackson to a three-year deal worth $11MM per year before addressing his own contract, Klis hears. Jackson, 31, is one year older than Harris and has not played anywhere near Harris’ level, so his frustration is understandable.
The Broncos, ideally, would love to keep Harris, but they’re a bit limited with just $11.7MM in cap space. In the past, the Broncos have made small concessions to keep Harris happy, but that likely won’t get the job done this time. Last year, the club tacked a $3MM incentive package on to Harris’ contract. A similar compromise seems unlikely to work this offseason.
Broncos GM John Elway, meanwhile, says he has bigger fish to fry.
“I don’t have time right now,” Elway said Tuesday when asked about negotiating a fresh deal for the cornerback. “I’m busy with the draft. We’ll talk about Chris. He’s under contract, so we’ll talk about that when the draft is over. When I say this, I said we’re going to talk about it. It doesn’t mean we’re going to do it.”
Meanwhile, the Broncos have yet to give Harris permission to seek a trade (Twitter link via Calvin Watkins of The Athletic).
Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr. Requests New Contract Or Trade
Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr., who has not reported to minicamp, has formally requested a new contract or trade, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter). Mike Klis of 9News.com classifies this report as an “ominous turn,” and he adds that Harris is seeking a contract that will pay him at least $15MM per year (Twitter link).
Reports last week indicated that Harris would not be attending this week’s minicamp, which was not much of a surprise given that Harris also skipped voluntary workouts earlier in the month. It has been clear for some time that Harris, who is entering the final year of his current contract, is pushing for a new deal.
Denver is open to giving him one, but the $15MM/year figure would make Harris the highest-paid CB in the league on an AAV basis (the Redskins’ Josh Norman is also earning $15MM per year). But he does have leverage, as he has become one of the best corners in the league and is the heart and soul of the Broncos’ secondary.
Perhaps he is hoping that he can pressure the Broncos into giving into his demands so that they do not feel obligated to select a CB during this week’s draft, but if that was his plan, he should have made the request more than two days prior to the draft. Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post tweets that it was a misplay for Harris’ camp to make the request at this point, and Klis says in a separate tweet that a trade may be the best option for Harris and Denver.
After all, as good as Harris is, Klis says Broncos GM John Elway is highly unlikely to hand him a $15MM/year deal. Harris is nearly 30 and is coming off a fractured fibula, though considering the value of quality corners in today’s league, it would not be altogether surprising to see some team swinging a trade and at least coming close to meeting Harris’ demands.
Suddenly, the Harris situation has become one to pay close attention to, though Elway has made it clear that he is not going to address Harris’ contract until after the draft is over (Twitter link via Troy Renck of Denver7). He also indicated that a new contract might not get done, which is notable since most GMs in this situation will at least offer lip service suggesting that they expect the player in question to be with the team for the long haul.