The Lions have resigned Will Harris as a free agent.
Will Harris’s return to the Lions in 2024 is largely due to his versatility. 32 players from the Detroit Lions’ 2023 roster are eligible to sign free agent 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. 
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 size and quickness to play a variety of secondary positions.
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 size and quickness to play a variety of secondary positions.
The Lions decided to bring Harris back for a fifth season in 2023 because of his versatility as a defender and his skills as a special team player. They also did not have to pay much to do so because of a four-year qualifying benefit that takes advantage of CBA rules.
The expectation was for Harris to contribute as a key special teams player and provide depth at safety and cornerback since the team was in a very different position than when general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell took over in 2021.
For the fifth-year defensive back in 2023, everything went largely as planned, with the exception of a few games where injuries forced Harris into the starting lineup.
As was already mentioned, Harris played a significant role in special teams coordinator Dave Fipp’s squads, even though he rarely saw defensive snaps in most games (aside from field goal).
His defensive field awareness was restricted to a few 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 Bucs. Harris made a nice interception off a tipped pass, which is typically the result of a defender being in the right place at the right time.
With the exception of the four weeks that rookie defensive back Brian Branch of the Lions missed against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 owing to an ankle sprain, Harris did not play more than five defensive snaps the remainder of the season.
Regarding you, how are things? What do you think the Lions should do this offseason with Will Harris? Tell us in the space provided for comments.
