When the Broncos faced the Steelers in 2015, Denver had a pair of young fill-in safeties behind cornerback Chris Harris. Consequently, wide receiver Antonio Brown had a big day, hauling in two touchdown receptions.
With better safeties behind him, Harris got a rematch in 2018 and helped limit Brown to 7.4 yards per catch and no scores in a 24-17 Broncos win.
Brown joined the Raiders this offseason which means the former Pittsburgh star will go up against Harris twice in 2019. The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback is ready for the challenge.
“We have guys that are very flexible, that can play everywhere,” Harris said of Denver’s secondary after practice on May 29. “Guys that are smart. I want to take the pressure off of them. If they need me to put me on ‘AB’ Week 1, I’m ready for that.
“Whoever is the top receiver, I’m ready for this. Any pressure to take off those guys, let those guys play free, let me take on the big challenge every week. I’m ready for that.”
Harris just signed a revised one-year contract and he’s hoping to have a big year before hitting free agency in 2020. Limiting Brown’s production on Sept. 9 would go a long way toward increasing Harris’ stock before free agency.
