AFC team could give former Lions sack leader another career lifeline

When the Detroit Lions signed him in 2021, Charles Harris was a first-round draft pick bust with his career on the ropes as he headed to his third team in as many seasons. He resuscitated his career that season, leading the Lions with 7.5 sacks as he set career-highs in tackles (65), tackles for loss (10) and quarterback hits (16).

Harris was rewarded for that breakthrough with the security of a two-year contract in 2022. An injury cut that 2022 campaign short for him (six games), and when he was on the field he was not impactful (one sack).

Last season, the Lions were constantly in search of pass rush help from the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Harris was a healthy scratch for the first time in Week 7, and he played 65 defensive snaps the rest of the season (11 snaps from Week 13 through the playoffs, over three games played).

Harris being deemed incapable of helping a Lions' pass rush that needed all the help it could get says it all. And it explains why he's still available as teams report for training camp.

AFC team deemed a fit to give Charles Harris another career lifeline

In naming one free agent each AFC team could still sign, Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network matched the Las Vegas Raiders with Harris.

"Charles Harris saw his snap count for the Lions plummet last year and was injured in 2022. However, he posted seven sacks and ranked 20th in pass-rush win rate among edge rushers as recently as 2021."

"The Raiders might actually feel comfortable giving Crosby a breather once in a while with a veteran like Harris around."

It's an understatement to say Harris saw his snap count plummet with the Lions last year. From December through the playoffs, and truly dating back to the first time he was a healthy scratch, he was a complete non-entity.

Harris' career is on the ropes, just as it was when he signed with the then-rebuilding Lions. There are better available options the Raiders could consider adding to their edge rusher mix, but maybe they will be the team to throw him a career lifeline this time.