Charles Harris contract tabbed among best values by Pro Football Focus analyst
The Detroit Lions re-signed edge rusher Charles Harris, and PFF analyst Brad Spielberger sees the deal as one of the best value signings in the league.
The premium placed on pass rushers meant Charles Harris was lined up to cash in off a breakthrough 2021 season with the Detroit Lions. He is back on a two-year deal, and looking to build on that breakout.
In looking at signings around the NFL, Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger put Harris’ deal with the Lions on his list of the five best value signings. That backed up his reaction when the news of the deal first surfaced.
Good deal for Detroit. The former first-rounder had 52 QB pressures last year with a 78.7 pass rush grade
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 15, 2022
Lions have done well finding diamond in the rough edge defenders, first Romeo Okwara and now Harris https://t.co/zAVhOYTfvm
It’s unclear what other offers Harris had on the table, but $7 million a year does feel like solid value and the Lions seem to believe last season’s breakthrough is sustainable.
Charles Harris contract breakdown–Is it really a great value?
Harris’ deal was eventually confirmed to be $13 million over two years. He got a $5.965 million dollar signing bonus, with a void year tacked in 2024 to spread that bonus proration out over three years instead of two for cap purposes. The Lions have done the void year thing to spread out signing bonus money cap hits multiple times this offseason, and they aren’t alone around the league.
Via Over The Cap, here’s how Harris’ deal looks year-by-year:
2022: Cap number: $3.02 million; $1.035 million base salary (fully guaranteed); $1.99 million signing bonus proration
2023: Cap number: $7.99 million; $6 million base salary; $1.99 million signing bonus proration
$4.01 million in cap savings if cut, with $3.98 million in dead money
2024: Void year-$1.99 million signing bonus proration (dead cap)
Cutting Harris one year into his deal wouldn’t be ideal for the Lions. But the dead money is not bad, especially in light of the salary cap climbing, perhaps substantially, in 2023 and 2024.
The Lions have protected themselves against 2021 being a flash in the pan for Harris. If he delivers again next season, his deal will presumably be re-worked and likely extended.
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