The Denver Broncos’ 2017 season continues to reach new lows, while one Broncos defender continues to see his value rise the more time he’s on the field.
Sunday’s 35-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins marked the eighth in a row for the Broncos.
A flu bug made its way through the Broncos locker room ahead of their trip to Miami, and it hit the defensive side of the ball particularly hard. You likely couldn’t tell. Despite another pathetic showing for the offense, the defense, like always, did their best to keep the Broncos in the game.
One player in particular has been a bright spot for the Broncos all season, defensive lineman Shelby Harris. He had another strong showing in Miami.
Harris, who was signed to a reserve/future contract back in January, was a long shot to make the roster when training camp opened. By the time preseason was over, it was impossible to deny him a spot.
Not much has changed since the regular season began.
Harris is in the middle of the best season of his three-year career. It just so happens that he’s a part of the Broncos worst season in a long time. Prior to Sunday, Harris had 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a blocked field goal that essentially won Denver their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Harris continued his stellar season with another outstanding performance on Sunday. He finished the day with four tackles (three solo) and one sack, two tackles for loss and two QB hits in addition to giving Dolphins’ quarterback Jay Cutler fits all day.
Harris saw increased reps with both nose tackle Domata Peko (knee) and defensive end Derek Wolfe (neck) out for the week. Entering the game Harris had played just under 50 percent of Denver’s defensive snaps.
A restricted free agent in 2018, Harris has done more than enough to earn himself a job in 2018. If not in Denver, then certainly somewhere else.
After the disappointment that has become the 2017 season, the Broncos would be lucky to have Shelby Harris back in 2018.
