Adding to the interior defensive line is a major need for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason. Could this make Shelby Harris a target in free agency?
The Road So Far
A seventh-round pick with the Oakland Raiders in 2014, Harris has played for a few different teams. He spent two seasons with the Raiders before being released during the 2016 offseason. He spent time with the Jets and Cowboys practice squads without seeing game action in 2016.
The Broncos brought him in on a futures contract during the 2017 offseason where he eventually gained a roster spot and a role in the defense. Of his 56 career games played, 48 of them have been with the Broncos.
In 2019, Harris played 16 games while recording 6.0 sacks, eight tackles for loss and nine batted passes.
Fit With The Colts
The Colts have a need to add talent to the interior defensive line and while most would like to see them spend up for a big name in free agency, Harris is most likely in the tier that Chris Ballard will target.
More of a run-defender, Harris would be a cheap option for the Colts but one that would provide them with an upgrade at the one-technique—where he would likely split snaps with Grover Stewart.
Harris doesn’t offer elite upside as a pass rusher but has 13 sacks over the last three seasons while playing an average of 49% of his team’s snaps on defense. He wouldn’t make the Colts an elite defensive line, but he would fit nicely into the one-gap front.
Price
Though Ballard is open to adding a big name in free agency now that the locker room has been established, he isn’t going to deviate from the love of finding upside players from the second and third tiers. Harris won’t break the bank but could see somewhere in the range of a two or three-year deal with an average annual value of $5–6 million. That would be right in the wheelhouse for Ballard.
Conclusion
Harris seems like the type of free agent for the Colts. He’s in the middle tier but would provide the Colts with an upgrade on the interior while be a cost-effective option. Harris would be a nice addition to the depth and should be a player to watch when free agency opens in the middle of March.
