It took a bit of work for the Atlanta Falcons to get under the 2021 salary cap, but now that they are, the team can finally afford to bring in a few cost effective players.
The Falcons are reportedly on the verge of their first move since Wednesday’s official start to free agency. According The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, the team is in the process of signing veteran safety Erik Harris.
The #Falcons are reportedly signing safety Erik Harris, per @VicTafur.
This move fills a need at the free safety position. Harris stated 26 of 30 games for the Raiders over the last two seasons. https://t.co/D04G8gj5We pic.twitter.com/JH9eUS620b
— Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) March 18, 2021
Harris, 30, has taken a unique path to become an NFL starter. Undrafted out of the California University of Pennsylvania in 2012, Harris went to play for the Canadian Football League for three years before getting signed to a reserve/future contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2016.
He would play in four games for the Saints before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2017 as a backup. Harris started in 30 games for the Raiders, racking up 189 tackles (148 solo), 20 passes defended, five interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.
With Ricardo Allen out of the picture in Atlanta, and both Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal likely signing elsewhere, safety depth was arguably the team’s biggest need entering free agency.
