Why Anthony Harris is so underrated
Deshawn
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Anthony Harris has seen his name excluded from just about every football ranking list since the season ended. He was an unknown player in 2017, but burst onto the scene in 2018 and hasn’t looked back.
The NFL glorifies box safeties and has fallen in love with the hybrid type player who can also play linebacker and rush the passer (don’t believe me? Just ask the ladbrokes offers at the sign up on nearly any prop betting site). Jamal Adams, Derwin James, Tyrann Matthieu, and Harrison Smith are all regarded as the best at their position. Leaving guys like Anthony Harris, Justin Simmons and Minkah Fitzpatrick lacking recognition because they are best in deep coverage. While being versatile is great, a safety’s primary job is coverage whether it is man or zone, and there is no safety in the NFL who is better in coverage than Anthony Harris.
Harris never had the first-round pedigree some of the other safeties carry. He is the only one of the aforementioned players to not be drafted. He spent three seasons as a backup waiting for his chance, and since getting his opportunity he has written his name in the record books. It has been at least fifteen years since a Safety has gone two years without giving up a touchdown in coverage and recorded ten interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Something hall of fame safeties Troy Polamalu, Sean Taylor, and Brian Dawkins we’re not able to accomplish. Not only is Harris the best safety in the NFL, he is also among the top defensive players in the league. Harris is also a secure tackler with only seven missed tackles in the last two seasons, which was second on the team among the starters.
Anthony Harris is a legit game-changer on the back end of the defense and is poised for a massive payday. If he continues to play at a high level he easily could see himself become the highest-paid safety in NFL history. He has become a leader and a favorite among Vikings players and fans alike.