Tag: Will Harris

Saints safety Will Harris ranked among the top-100 free agents of 2025

New Orleans Saints safety Will Harris has been listed as one of the top 100 pending free agents for the 2025 offseason by Pro Football Network:

The New Orleans Saints have a whopping 19 pending free agents entering the 2025 offseason, and bringing some back will be a key to success. One of the players who may be worth retaining is safety Will Harris, who had a very solid season for the Saints in 2024 and got significant playing time throughout the year. This success led to him being listed on the ProFootballNetwork top 100 pending free agents list for the 2025 offseason, coming in at No. 92. Here is what they had to say about Harris and his free agency:

“After five seasons in Detroit, Harris had a career-high five passes defended during his first season with the Saints. The former third-round pick doesn’t have much ball production otherwise, with just three career picks, but possesses the type of frame (6’1”, 207 pounds) that many defensive coordinators covet.

Harris has vacillated between safety and slot cornerback in his career, though he was primarily the former in 2024 (52% of his snaps came as a deep safety). Harris has played the majority of his snaps at safety in 2019, 2021, and 2024, while his other three seasons (2020, 2022, 2023) have seen him primarily line up in the slot.

The former third-round pick will play most of next season at age 29, but his uncertain positional home makes him a tough projection when it comes to locking down a long-term deal.”

In addition to that, he was listed as the fifth-best safety free agent in the upcoming offseason, behind only Justin Reid, Harrison Smith, Trevon Moehrig, and Julian Blackmon. It is clear that he is valued relatively highly by the PFN crew, and after a season like he had in 2024, it is a valid belief as he enters free agency once again to find a team to play for in 2025.

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Saints have three of PFN’s top 100 pending free agents in 2025

Three New Orleans Saints players were ranked among the top 100 pending free agents for the 2025 offseason by Pro Football Network:

The New Orleans Saints offseason is going to be an intriguing one, as they have 19 pending unrestricted free agents who will hit the market as of this juncture. With that said, three of those free agents were ranked in the top 100 2025 pending free agents list by ProFootballNetwork. These three may not surprise any Saints fans, however, a notable omission was tight end Juwan Johnson, who did not end up making the cut despite the positional scarcity.

The three who did make the list were as follows:

  • DE Chase Young: No.24
  • CB Paulson Adebo: No.28
  • S Will Harris: No. 92

These were probably the three free agents that had the largest impact on the Saints roster this year, so it does make sense that they were the three representing the team on this list. Young and Adebo were ranked quite highly, both of whom have had good seasons in recent years so that is logically sound. Harris had a good season with the Saints in 2024 and somewhat of a bounce back from some less than optimal years, and while top 100 is decently high, his reps were solid enough to warrant his inclusion.

As for why Johnson was snubbed from this list, it seems like 2023 and 2024 mattered heavily in the rankings, and he has never truly had a breakout season perse, mostly remaining consistent but never great. While he has been solid at times, it is hard to argue him over most of the players included in the rankings.

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Saints free agent preview: S Will Harris, stay or go?

Previewing free agency for the New Orleans Saints: Should they retain safety Will Harris, or let him walk in the 2025 offseason?

The New Orleans Saints and the NFL are growing ever closer to the offseason, with the playoffs only having a few weeks remaining before the Super Bowl. With that, the Saints have certainly started looking ahead at their own free agents and who to retain, so we shall as well.

One of the interesting free agents to discuss this offseason for New Orleans is safety Will Harris, who was a relatively strong contributor for the team in his age 29 season. After a midseason stint on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, he was able to come back and wrap up the season on a relatively high note and honestly was valuable for the Saints defense.

So with that in mind, let’s take a look at his career so far:

Career Stats

Over the course of his career, Will Harris has been somewhat up and down in his play. In 2023 with the Detroit Lions he only got a little bit of playing time, accruing 18 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 pass deflections and a fumble recovery.

His most productive season however was likely in 2021 where he had a relatively strong performance overall with good statistical value. He had 93 tackles, 4 pass deflections, a forced fumble and a half of a sack, however, his coverage statistics were not as good, with a 73.4% completion rate allowed on 79 targets, giving up 732 yards and 5 touchdowns. Statistically he is very split between coverage and tackling, his coverage has never been spectacular but his tackling has been strong.

Snap Counts

Here are Harris’ defensive snap counts for the games he played in over the course of his career:

  • 2019 – 58% (667)
  • 2020 – 28% (312)
  • 2021 – 89% (1012)
  • 2022 – 66% (660)
  • 2023 – 18% (192)
  • 2024 – 94% (861)

2024 season review

2024 was actually one of the better years in coverage for Harris, only giving up a 65.9% completion rate (the best of his career since 2020) on 29 receptions, with 336 yards and no touchdowns allowed. This is primarily because he was playing lower in coverage, typically near the box, with an average depth of target of only 6.9 yards (lowest of his career).

He produced well, and while he was by no means perfect, he was a quality safety in 2024 for the Saints.

Stay or go?

When it comes to Harris, he should likely not be your undisputed safety next to Tyrann Mathieu heading into 2025, however if he was kept as a depth option or as competition for a rookie, that would not be all that bad of an idea.

He worked well in the system the Saints had built, both pre and post Dennis Allen, so having him around to coach up a rookie or young signing would by no means be a bad choice. I say the Saints should bring him back on another one year deal if possible for similar value, and let him be another cog in the secondary.

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Will Harris described his injured reserve stint as ‘a long four weeks’

Will Harris played every defensive snap prior to his injury. This week the New Orleans Saints safety makes his return from injured reserve:

For the first time in a month, Tyrann Mathieu and Jordan Howden will be joined by Will Harris, and the New Orleans Saints will have their full compliment of safeties.

It’s been what Harris described as, “A long four weeks.”

Hamstrings have plagued the New Orleans Saints all season long. So much so that New Orleans had to revisit how they begin practice.

Harris was one of many starters to be taken out by the injury. That list includes Marshon Lattimore, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Pete Werner. For the first time since Harris injured his hamstring against the Kansas City Chiefs, the safety will return to the field.

Harris tried to stay as involved as he could during his stint on injured reserve even though he couldn’t get on the field. The safety said, “I try to stay as integral of a piece as possible. I try to incorporate myself in anything I can to help. I’m always around. I try to give them my perspective of what I see.”

At the time that’s all he could do. Prior to the injury, however, Harris was the only defensive player to play every single snap. It’s safe to say he’ll be involved in the defensive game plan next to Mathieu and Howden.

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Saints share some good news on Week 10 injury report update

The New Orleans Saints shared some good news on Week 10’s injury report update ahead of their game with the Atlanta Falcons:

There were two big changes to the New Orleans Saints injury report ahead of Week 10’s game with the Atlanta Falcons. Two starters on injured reserve returned to practice, one of them receiving an upgrade to full reps — safety Will Harris (hamstring). Another, center Erik  McCoy (groin), practiced on a limited basis. McCoy’s return is likely a week away or more but that’s a big step in the right direction.

Other than that, it’s more of the same. Wide receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) still didn’t participate. Neither did cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring) nor left guard Lucas Patrick (ankle). Here’s everything you need to know:

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Saints open practice window for a starter to return from injured reserve

The New Orleans Saints opened the 21-day practice window for starting safety Will Harris to return from injured reserve:

The New Orleans Saints announced Wednesday that they had opened the 21-day practice window for starting safety Will Harris to return from injured reserve, which could be a big boost for the secondary.

Harris went down with a hamstring injury during Week 5’s prime-time loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. To that point in the season the was the only defender to stay on the field for 100% of snaps — more than mainstays like Tyrann Mathieu and Demario Davis.

He  totaled 16 tackles (12 solo, 1 tackle for loss) and an interception with 3 passes defensed, so he was productive. The Saints have struggled to replace Harris between a rotation including Jordan Howden, J.T. Gray, and Johnathan Abram coming up from the practice squad.

Remember, teams can only activate eight players from injured reserve each season. Backup guard/center Shane Lemieux is also practicing during his own window to return, and the team hopes to get back starting center Erik McCoy later this year. But running back Kendre Miller has already come off injured reserve once before going back on it, so the Saints are rapidly running short on activations. Let’s hope the injury bug stops biting soon.

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Injured reserve is a possibility for New Orleans Saints starting safety

Injured reserve is a possibility for Saints starting safety Will Harris. He was the team’s only defender to play 100% of snaps through the first four games:

The New Orleans Saints defense took a hit when starting safety Will Harris went down with a hamstring injury in Monday night’s game with the Kansas City Chiefs, and he missed the next two days of practice recovering from that ailment.

But he isn’t trending in the right direction. On Wednesday, head coach Dennis Allen said that Harris is a candidate for injured reserve because of this hamstring injury. Assuming it isn’t an automatic season-ending diagnosis, he would be eligible to return after four weeks — missing upcoming games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and Carolina Panthers. That’s assuming he won’t need surgery and be out longer.

Either way, it was a big loss. Harris was the only player on the team who had been on the field for 100% of the Saints’ snaps on defense through their first four games. That’s more than Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu, and other big names like Chase Young, Marshon Lattimore, and Cameron Jordan. They were lucky to have already called up Johnathan Abram from the practice squad so he could fill in.

In the meantime, the Saints are left with Mathieu, Jordan Howden and J.T. Gray on the 53-man roster with Abram and Millard Bradford on the practice squad. Abram can be elevated for two more games before he’ll need to sign with the 53-man roster to keep playing, but they may just sign him now to ensure he’ll be in the lineup. Stay tuned.

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Dennis Allen on playing a practice squad safety over second-year draft pick

When Will Harris suffered an injury, it was Johnathan Abram who took the majority of the snaps next to Tyrann Mathieu, not Jordan Howden:

Johnathan Abram has spent the entirety of the season so far on the New Orleans Saints practice squad. He was a game-day elevation for the first time against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Due to a Will Harris injury, Abram ended up seeing the field for 56 snaps next to Tyrann Mathieu. These are snaps that would have went to Jordan Howden in any other game, but Abram ended with 46 more snaps than Howden Monday night.

Dennis Allen explained the decision on Tuesday, saying, “In that environment, in that situation, I thought he was the right person to put in the game.”

Harris’ injury upped the snap count, but there was an inclination Abram would see the field. Mathieu and Harris are your lead safeties, but Abram seemed prime to usurp Howden for the third safety role.

Howden hasn’t performed great during his time in the game and his snap count fluctuated from game to game. Abram was a player the Saints liked last year, and Allen referenced that Tuesday. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Abram be elevated to the main roster permanently soon.

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Saints safety Will Harris (hamstring) ruled OUT vs. Chiefs

Saints safety Will Harris suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter and has been ruled out for the rest of the Chiefs game:

The New Orleans Saints have ruled Will Harris out for the rest of the game versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming into the game, Harris was the only player on the Saints defense to have played every snap this season. This obviously won’t be the case any longer.

Harris suffered a hamstring injury trying to catch Xavier Worthy after a catch. Harris pulled up and went down on the Chiefs sideline. After staying down for a bit, he was able to get up and walk across the field under his own power.

The Saints brought Jonathan Abram up from the practice squad for this matchup. Since Harris’ injury, it has been Abram who has stepped up in his place instead of Jordan Howden.

There was an expectation that Abram would see the field over Howden. Harris injury expedited his snaps and enlarged his role. Abram started next to Tyrann Mathieu last year so the duo already have chemistry together.

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Taysom Hill officially limited on Week 3 Saints injury report vs. Eagles

The New Orleans Saints have shared their Thursday injury report, adding Will Harris (calf) and A.T. Perry (illness) to the mix. Taysom Hill was officially limited at practice:

The New Orleans Saints have sent out their second injury report leading up to Week 3, which has some positives and some negatives worth noting on it. Multiple players were added to the injury report, with starting safety Will Harris (calf) and wide receiver A.T. Perry (illness) being grouped into the injured list of players.

Khalen Saunders (calf) and Landon Young (foot) both did not practice today as well, as they were not practicing Wednesday either. Cedrick Wilson Jr. (abdomen), Tyrann Mathieu (heel), Taliese Fuaga (back), and Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) all remained limited Thursday, which was mostly expected, as to prevent any aggravation of their current injuries.

For the good news, Jaylan Ford (hamstring) and Rashid Shaheed (hip) both practiced fully as they did Wednesday, which is a good sign for their health heading into Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally for the linebacker department, D’Marco Jackson (calf) moved from did not practice to limited for Thursday, which is a good sign as he had missed a decent chunk of time with that injury. Finally, Taysom Hill (chest) also improved from did not practice to limited, which is exactly what you want to see, and what Dennis Allen had hoped for heading into Thursday.

Also worth noting on the other side, both A.J. Brown (hamstring) and Johnny Wilson (hamstring) did not practice for the second day in a row. Additionally, former Saints safety Chauncey “C.J.” Gardner-Johnson was added with a foot injury, and did not practice as well.

Here is the full injury report for Thursday’s practice:

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