Eagles Eyeing Broncos’ Chris Harris Jr.
The Eagles have called the Broncos about Chris Harris Jr., according to sources who spoke with Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). At this time, however, their asking price is too high.
The Broncos are paper thin at cornerback, but they also have no real shot at contention this year. With a chance to add to their draft stockpile, they could move Harris to a team that could put the veteran to good use, like the Eagles.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have no plans to trade Von Miller, sources tell Russini (Twitter link). The former Super Bowl MVP and perennial Pro Bowl pass rusher is signed through the 2021 season. Harris, however, is in a contract year and expressed a desire to test the market after a weeks-long holdout this offseason.
Denver landed Harris as a 2011 UDFA and paired the slot defender with Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby in 2014. While that trio helped the Broncos to the 2015 title, Harris is now the team’s only reliable corner. The four-time Pro Bowler could profile as a player the Broncos would like to extend, despite Harris being 30, due to an inability to find cornerbacks since that 2014 offseason. However, the Broncos are staring at a rebuild and have only a handful of starters from their Super Bowl team left. They traded Emmanuel Sanders last week.
Philadelphia finished second in the Jalen Ramsey derby and inquired on Detroit’s Darius Slay. It’s clear Howie Roseman recognizes his group of corners could use help, with the Eagles’ pass defense having struggled for much of this season. Harris has traveled with No. 1 wide receivers this year, as opposed to locking down the slot, so that would obviously be a key asset for a team looking to get back in the surefire contender mix. The Eagles have been in on Harris for a bit now but may have to deal a second-round pick to acquire him.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/19
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: QB Danny Etling, CB D.J. White
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR via injury settlement: RB Alfred Blue
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed: CB Xavier Crawford (from Texans)
New England Patriots
- Re-signed: QB Cody Kessler
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: DT Bruce Hector
Trade Notes: Chargers, Gordon, Howard
Some league officials have linked the Lions and Bills to Chargers star running back Melvin Gordon (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler). Both clubs could be in the market for running back help and both would make ample sense for Gordon – if the Bolts are willing to lower their asking price a bit.
The Chargers haven’t been too keen on moving Gordon, despite the drama-filled offseason and holdout that ventured into the regular season. It’s possible that he could be pried loose for the right price, however, since he’ll be out-of-contract following the 2019 season.
Through four games played, Gordon hasn’t looked like his old self: he’s got just 2.5 yards per carry, plus two touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving). Last year, in 12 contests, Gordon averaged 5.1 yards per tote with 14 TDs in total.
Here’s more from around the NFL as we gear up for trade deadline day:
- The Dolphins are getting calls about cornerback Xavien Howard, Albert Breer of The MMQB reports. Howard says he’s not seeking a trade, and the Dolphins would do well to keep the 26-year-old for future seasons, but that’s not keeping other clubs from inquiring. Thanks to the five-year extension he inked with Miami in the offseason, Howard is under contract through the 2024 season.
- Interest in Broncos cornerback Chris Harris seems to have cooled a bit, due in part to the asking price, Troy Renck of Denver7 hears. The Eagles and Texans were among the clubs with serious interest, but the Eagles’ D has turned things around and the Texans seem to have already address their CB needs. Meanwhile, the Broncos are paper thin at cornerback, so Renck senses that they won’t consider moving him for less than a third-round choice. Harris, meanwhile, wants to finish out 2019 in Denver, where he and his wife are expecting their fourth child.
- In case you missed it: The Redskins are now open to trading Trent Williams.
Eagles Pursuing Lions’ Darius Slay
The Lions have received calls on Darius Slay, and Albert Breer of SI.com reports they have made the veteran cornerback available. A team in a similar NFC position is pursuing him.
Having finished second in the Jalen Ramsey sweepstakes, and having pursued Chris Harris, the Eagles are “working hard” on a Slay trade, Chris Mortensen said during a SportsCenter appearance (via SI.com). However, the Lions are setting a “very, very high” price.
In hopes of landing a third Lions contract, Slay held out from the team’s offseason program. He was unsuccessful in his extension pursuit and reported to training camp on time. Detroit extended its other offseason holdout, Damon Harrison, during camp. But nothing has emerged on the prospect of another Slay re-up.
The Lions extended Slay in 2016 to a four-year, $50.2MM deal. Unlike Harris, he has another year remaining on his contract. Coupled with Detroit’s standing in the NFC playoff picture, that will allow the Lions to hold out for a strong offer. However, after the Lions traded Quandre Diggs to the Seahawks last week, Slay said he would not object to being traded himself. Slay, 28, is due a $10MM 2020 base salary.
Slay is a two-time Pro Bowler who grades as Pro Football Focus’ No. 52 corner this season. He picked off eight passes in 2016. The Eagles have struggled against the pass this season but have Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills back in action. Howie Roseman did not address this position over the offseason, but the rumors connecting Philadelphia to Ramsey and Harris point to the team recognizing a need remains. With another report indicating an Eagles splash move may be coming, the possibility of a cornerback being added to the roster certainly exists.
Eagles Acquire Genard Avery From Browns
The Eagles and Browns agreed on a pre-deadline deal, with second-year defensive end/linebacker Genard Avery set to head from Cleveland to Philadelphia. The Eagles announced the trade, which will send a 2021 fourth-round draft pick to the Browns.
Cleveland used a fifth-round pick in 2018 on Avery and gave him five starts last season. The Memphis product also spent time at linebacker during his Ohio stay, potentially providing the Eagles with some versatility. Avery played a more prominent role on the 2018 Browns, registering 4.5 sacks and 40 tackles. This season, he has one solo tackle and has played a combined five defensive snaps.
Avery has only been active in two Browns games this season. He played three snaps against the Patriots. Avery asked the Browns for a trade, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports, adding John Dorsey did not want to part with him so soon. This marks the second in-season trade of a Dorsey 2018 pick, with the Browns having sent second-rounder Austin Corbett to the Rams earlier this month.
Vinny Curry and Josh Sweat reside as the Eagles’ backup defensive ends, with Daeshon Hall and fourth-round rookie Shareef Miller residing on Philadelphia’s 53-man roster. Avery’s rookie deal runs through the 2021 season.
Eagles Eyeing A Splash Trade?
- Now that the Eagles are back at .500, they are considering being buyers before Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline. After their double-digit win in Buffalo, the Eagles could be in play for “something fun” before this year’s deadline, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The Eagles have been linked to cornerbacks, being the Jalen Ramsey silver medalists, and may be in need at wide receiver. Although, Doug Pederson said DeSean Jackson is expected to practice this week.
Eagles Eager To Move Vaitai?
- There are a few teams looking for offensive tackle help, most openly the Browns. We’ve hear Eagles backup Halapoulivaati Vaitai could be an option, and Robinson tweets that he continues to hear that Vaitai is the “most available” tackle on the market. He also notes that Vaitai had “several teams” interested in him during the preseason. Vaitai started 16 games between 2016 and 2017 and is entering the final year of his contract, so it makes sense why Philly would try and get something for him.
Robby Anderson Likely To Be Traded
We heard earlier this week that the Jets would consider trading wide receiver Robby Anderson for the right price, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports goes one step further, reporting that Anderson is almost certain to be dealt.
Plenty of teams have expressed interest in upgrading their receiving corps in advance of this Tuesday’s trade deadline, and big names like Emmanuel Sanders and Mohamed Sanu have already been moved. But clubs like the Saints, Eagles, and Jaguars continue to be on the lookout for a receiver, and with A.J. Green unlikely to be traded, Anderson may be the best receiver on the block.
Anderson will be a free agent after the 2019 season, and it’s common knowledge that the current Jets regime does not have much interest in re-signing him, so it’s unclear what kind of return Gang Green can expect. But Anderson is young, cheap, and explosive, so it makes sense that there is plenty of interest in his services.
The 3-4 Jaguars are perhaps the most surprising of Anderson’s potential suitors, especially since Anderson is essentially a two-month rental, but La Canfora says Jacksonville has let other teams know it intends to be a buyer, not a seller (the recent Jalen Ramsey blockbuster notwithstanding). With QB Nick Foles on the mend, the Jags seem to be eyeing a run at a wildcard berth.
Anderson has 17 catches for 266 yards and a score this year, though the Jets have been without starting QB Sam Darnold for most of the season. The Temple product does boast a very good 14.8 yards-per-reception mark in his career.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/19
We don’t dance now, we make minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DL Ufomba Kamalu (from Patriots practice squad)
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: DT Justin Hamilton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: DT Bruce Hector
Latest On Eagles, Orlando Scandrick
- Recently released by the struggling Eagles, Orlando Scandrick believes he was scapegoated for the team’s woes, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer relays (Twitter link). “The problem in Philadelphia is much, much deeper than me,” Scandrick said. The Eagles have released the veteran cornerback twice this year.