Jacksonville Jaguars: Top 3 safety options ahead of free agency

Jan 5, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive back Anthony Harris (41) intercepts a pass interned for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) as Minnesota cornerback Trae Waynes (26) backs up the play during the second quarter of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook -USA TODAY Sports /

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Anthony Harris #41 (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Anthony Harris could be the enforcer the Jacksonville Jaguars need.

Had Anthony Harris hit the open market last offseason, he would’ve gotten a top-market contract, as he was coming off a year in which he logged 60 total tackles (one for a loss), 11 passes defensed, and six interceptions. However, the Minnesota Vikings placed the franchise tag and he remained in Minneapolis.

Harris couldn’t recreate the success he had in 2019 and finished the 2020 season with 104 total tackles (two for a loss), seven pass deflections, and no interceptions. Furthermore, he had a 66.2 Pro Football Focus grade in 2020 after posting a 90.5 mark in 2019 and 89.0 the year before.

This doesn’t mean there won’t be demand for Harris’ services this offseason though. With Maye, Williams, and Simmons off the market, the Virginia product will now be one of the best safeties available in the open market.

On the other hand, whoever wants to sign Harris has to consider whether last season was an outlier or the beginning of his decline. The Jaguars’ brass has surely performed due diligence and it will be interesting to see if the safety is on their radar.

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