The NFL’s best slot cornerbacks, No. 1: Chris Harris, Broncos

Harris has become one of the most important defensive players in the league, regardless of position.

No cornerback in the NFL gives his team as much functional versatility as Harris, who’s actually been among the best slot corners in the NFL for the last few seasons. In 2013, he allowed a 65.6 passer rating on 393 slot snaps and didn’t give up a single touchdown while registering three interceptions. In 2014, he gave up 20 receptions on 32 targets for 143 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and a 59.8 opposing quarterback rating. Those numbers put him near the top of the slot list, but his performance in ’15—a season in which the Broncos won the Super Bowl on the back of their defense—saw him on another level. Harris allowed 20 catches on 35 targets on 335 slot snaps, with no touchdowns, two interceptions and an opposing QB rating of 43.4. So, over the last three seasons, quarterbacks throwing to Harris in the slot have no touchdowns and six picks. Harris signed a five-year, $42.5 million contract extension last December. That is outside corner money, and while Harris plays outside very well, he's truly special in Denver’s sub-package defense, where he can use his aggression, spatial awareness, and route anticipation skills to shut down everyone he faces. Harris has become one of the most important defensive players in the league, regardless of position.