32 players from the Detroit Lions’ 2023 roster are eligible to sign free agents contracts in 2024 (20 unrestricted, 6 restricted, and 6 exclusive rights). We are analyzing their expectations for the 2023 season, their performance, and ultimately their prospects of coming back to Detroit in 2024.
Take a look at the free agent profiles we’ve already written: QB Nate Sudfeld, WR, TE Zach Ertz, and OG Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OG Graham Glasgow, OG Dan Skipper, OT; Jonah Jackson.
EDGE Tyson Alualu, CB; Romeo Okwara, DT Emmanuel Mosley. K Michael Badgley and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Will Harris, a Boston College safety prospect with some elite physical attributes, was first selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Harris, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 206 pounds, has the stature and quickness to play a variety of secondary spots.
The Lions decided to bring Harris back for a fifth season in 2023 because of his versatility as a defender and his skill as a special team player.
They also didn’t have to pay much to do so because of a four-year qualifying benefit that takes advantage of CBA restrictions.
The intention was for Harris to contribute as a key special teams player and provide depth at safety and cornerback, as the team was in a very different position than when general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell took over in 2021.
With the exception of a couple of games where injuries forced Harris into the starting lineup, Harris’s 2023 campaign went largely as expected for a fifth-year defensive back.
Although Harris saw little defensive action most weeks, as previously noted, he was an important member of Dave Fipp’s special teams units (aside from field goal).
He saw the field on defense from a variety of positions, including safety, the nickel, and outside corner spots.
Harris played 39 snaps in the slot during the Lions’ Week 6 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also made a crucial interception off a tipped pass, which is usually the result of a defender being in the right position at the right time.
Harris would not play in more than five defensive snaps the remainder of the season, with the exception of the four weeks that rookie defensive back Brian Branch of the Lions was out with an ankle sprain against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.
With the exception of a couple of games where injuries forced Harris into the starting lineup, Harris’s 2023 campaign went largely as expected for a fifth-year defensive back.
Although Harris saw little defensive action most weeks, as previously noted, he was an important member of Dave Fipp’s special teams units (aside from field goal).
He saw the field on defense from a variety of positions, including safety, the nickel, and outside corner spots. Harris played 39 snaps in the slot during the Lions’ Week 6 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He also made a crucial interception off a tipped pass, which is usually the result of a defender being in the right position at the right time.
Harris would not play in more than five defensive snaps the remainder of the season, with the exception of the four weeks that rookie defensive back Brian Branch of the Lions was out with an ankle sprain against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.
You get a player with five years of NFL experience in Harris, who has started games throughout the regular season.
Harris is perfectly capable of filling in and making a contribution if a starter is sidelined for a few weeks due to injury.
In the NFL, trust is really important, and whether this coaching staff likes it or not, they trust Harris.
