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Top five safeties for Redskins to target in 2020 free agency

By Jacob Camenker

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive stop against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive stop against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Anthony Harris #41 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Anthony Harris #41 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Safety. Minnesota Vikings. Anthony Harris. 2. player. 60.

Anthony Harris entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia in 2015. In the years since then, he has evolved into an excellent coverage safety that has paired very well with Harrison Smith.

In 2019, Harris was able to emerge as a great ballhawk. He tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions and was able to defend 11 passes as well. The impressive part of all this? It came in just 14 games.

When on the field, Harris was able to allow a passer rating against of just 54.7. It was extremely difficult for defenders to throw on him, so they targeted Xavier Rhodes more heavily instead. Given that Rhodes had previously been one of the NFL’s best corners, that’s some high praise for Harris.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

In Washington, Harris would have a chance to work as a ballhawk for the Redskins. He’d play deep centerfield for the squad and would get a chance to make plays, as teams would have to choose between targeting his side of the field and the side featuring Collins.

But the other great thing about Harris is that he is versatile. He can play free and strong safety. He logged 149 snaps as the slot corner last season. And since coming into the league, he has been a key special teams contributor for the Vikings. If he’s signed in free agency, special teams obviously won’t be his first priority. But it’s still worth noting that he can contribute there and has in the past.

If Harris ends up available amid the Vikings salary cap concerns, the Redskins should definitely make a run at him. He’s one of the best at his position in the NFL and would complement their secondary players well. Considering his versatility, there’s a case to be made for him as the No. 1 option, but he just narrowly missed out to our top free agent safety on the market.

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