As the Packers look to upgrade their defensive line, one free-agent option could be DT Shelby Harris. Seattle recently released Harris in a cap-saving move after his first year with the team. The eight-year veteran proved a valuable contributor for the Seahawks after arriving as part of the Russell Wilson trade package. In 2022, he recorded 44 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks, and four PBUs over 15 games. Experienced and versatile, Harris could be a valuable addition to the Green Bay defense.
Run Defense
Harris is a high-quality run defender. He consistently plays with outstanding pad level, extension, and block recognition. His intelligence and power help him remain effective in a variety of situations.
In this clip, he recognizes the oncoming down block from stud left tackle Trent Williams, engages the block with great leverage, and violently throws Williams off. Harris then finds the ballcarrier and brings him down.
Harris showed the ability to play at multiple positions in 4-down nickel fronts. As a 2i nose tackle here, he mirror-steps with the guard, using choppy footwork to maintain a stable base and engaging the blocker with good hand placement. Once the guard leaves to take a linebacker, Harris works to get vertical into the vacated A gap and forces the running back to cut back.
As a 3t this time, he beats the tackle’s attempt at a zone cutoff. He resets the line of scrimmage, closes the B gap cutback lane, and chases down Alvin Kamara.
He is not an explosive penetrator who can regularly shoot gaps, but Harris has enough juice to succeed on slants and line games on occasion. Playing as a 1t nose tackle, he steps across the face of the guard and gets vertical through the B gap. He gains excellent penetration into the backfield, though he is unable to make the tackle.
Arguably, Harris’ most effective position might be as a 3t/4i in five-man fronts, whether base 3-4 or Penny nickel packages. His ability to read keys and dominate single-blocks make him an ideal candidate to operate within a these looks.
In this clip, he uses extension and pad level to violently generate knockback as a 3t, before shedding to help make the tackle.
Aligned as a 4i in this clip, he is facing the excellent Joe Thuney. Harris decisively wins his matchup, using power and leverage to control the B gap before shedding into his secondary gap to assist on the stop.
Again going against Trent Williams, Harris uses awesome block recognition and lateral quickness to win into B gap, beating Williams’ cutoff attempt. Christian McCaffrey manages to break through Harris’ tackle, but cannot escape the Seattle reinforcements.
On the negative side, Harris does suffer from some inconsistency engaging and defeating double teams. As seen here, there are times where he struggles to cleanly engage one blocker, anchor, and split the double.
However, there were also a number of snaps where he was able to effectively anchor and defeat double-teams against some of the highest competition in the league. Here, he anchors against initial contact then rips back into his gap once he feels the frontside blocker leaving.
Harris can’t split the double team in this clip, but he anchors well enough to prevent Trent Williams from moving up to the second level, leaving a linebacker clean to scrape over the top.
Here, he again anchors effectively against the Lions double team, leaving the Seattle second level free to scrape and fit the run.
Pass Defense
Harris’ power and leg drive help him affect the game as a pass-rusher. Although clean rush wins aren’t his forte, he consistently drives blockers back, compressing the pocket and preventing quarterbacks from stepping up.
His power-based pocket pushing is Harris’ primary means of affecting the QB, but he also possesses some violent hand usage and effective counter moves, allowing him to achieve clean pass-rush wins at times. In this clip, he uses a two-handed swipe to beat the Lions guard and earn a pressure.
On this sack of Kyler Murray, Harris initially locks out and reads run-to-pass. Once he identifies the passing attempt, he transitions to a snatch move and secures the scrambling QB.
One quality that shines through in all facets of Harris’ game is his intensity and effort level. He consistently hustles to the ball, retraces and overlaps against the run, and chases down ballcarriers. Here, he goes all out pursuing Daniel Jones, tripping Jones up before he can reach the first-down marker.
Conclusion
With a young, depth-lacking defensive line, the Packers need to make some additions along the trenches before the draft arrives. A versatile veteran like Shelby Harris could be invaluable. As an older player without a lot of flashy pass-rush numbers, Harris may not be outside of Green Bay’s price range. However, his presence could add quality depth against both run and pass to the Packers front seven.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @Sam_DHolman and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
