Philadelphia Eagles: 3 Breakout player candidates not named Jalen Hurts

Anthony Harris can have a career year with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Howie Roseman didn’t have a lot of cash to throw around during free agency, but he made an excellent move in signing Anthony Harris to a one-year deal worth $5 million. With Jalen Mills’ departure and Rodney McLeod’s second ACL tear in three years, the Eagles looked relatively thin coming into free agency. Harris will undoubtedly aid the position.

What can transform Harris from being a mere band-aid to a breakout player is the scheme and the surrounding situation he’ll find himself in. In 2019, he ranked second in the NFL with 6 interceptions but had an underwhelming 2020 which led to his departure from Minnesota.

Minnesota’s defense last year lacked a pass rush and had some shaky cornerback play. While he’s not guaranteed much in the cornerback department, Harris will play in a defense that boasts a top-tier pass rush.

In Minnesota’s defensive scheme, Harris fared extremely well and had a few incredible seasons under Mike Zimmer’s vision. Johnathan Gannon, the Eagles defensive coordinator, has stated that he “agrees with a lot of that vision”. Gannon, of course, spent four years under Zimmer as a defensive backs coach and actually coached Harris.

So Harris is familiar with the scheme, his defensive coordinator, and has an improved supporting cast from last year. All signs point to a bounceback, if not a breakout year for the former Viking. Say what you will about Howie Roseman, but he knew what he was doing with this signing.