Chris Harris is the top slot corner in the NFL, but he's willing to do more if Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio needs.
The cornerback told NFL Network's James Palmer on Wednesday he'd like to shadow top receivers, like Antonio Brown, Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill and others.
"Last year when I started to shadow teams, our record, we started winning, we started getting on a roll," Harris said. "Then, unfortunately, I got injured. This year, definitely to ease the pressure off the other guys, and whatever role that they want me to do, coach Fangio wants me to do, I'm ready for it."
Harris suffered a fractured fibula last December that wiped out the end of another stellar campaign. This offseason one of the top corners in the entire NFL got a pay bump in the final year of his contract.
How Fangio decides to use Harris will be an interesting subplot to training camp. Palmer noted that the coach has yet to determine how his corner crew will break down.
The Broncos added Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan during the offseason to go along with Harris. Jackson is expected to see time at safety, and Callahan spent almost all his snaps in the slot with Fangio last season in Chicago. With both Callahan and Harris on the roster, Denver boasts two of the best slot corners in the NFL. How Fangio plans to cover the outside remains to be seen.
Depending on the weekly matchup, it could make sense for Fangio to acquiesce Harris' desire to shadow receiving opponents. Whether he gets additional snaps outside this season or Fangio keeps his slot demon in place, Harris expects to be able to make more plays on the ball in 2019 under the new scheme.
"I've got to have a career-high (in interceptions)," Harris, whose career-high is three INTs in one season, said. "I've got to have at least five this year. I think with the way (Fangio) is going to be using me, my versatility, I think it definitely should go up."
