Former Detroit Lions veteran defensive back signing with Saints

After five seasons, the Will Harris era in Detroit is over. As first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Harris has agreed to a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Harris was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2019 in the third round. Initially viewed as a safety, Harris’ role eventually grew well beyond that. Throughout his five seasons in Detroit, Harris played safety, cornerback, and nickel—in addition to significant roles on special teams.

However, one particular role never stuck with Harris. Though he started a total of 40 games across those five seasons, Detroit always looked to upgrade over him, leaving him to spend most of his Lions career as the primary backup at several positions. That said, Lions coaches always praised his intelligence and work ethic.

“We ask a lot of that player, and he’s played every position that you could imagine in the backend,” Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said last season. “And that’s why he’s so valuable to us. And listen, I’ll be the first to say sometimes I take that guy for granted, same way when I had (former Saints CB) P.J. Williams in New Orleans because there are some times where they don’t have any reps in practice at playing a certain spot and when something happens, alright it’s like, ‘Hey, Will, get in and do this.’ And I know for a fact that he can do it.”

Harris is the 11th Lions player to have signed elsewhere in free agency, joining Zach Ertz (Commanders), Josh Reynolds (Broncos), Jonah Jackson (Rams), Matt Nelson (Giants), Max Pircher (Seahawks), Julian Okwara (Eagles), Benito Jones (Dolphins), Anthony Pittman (Commanders), Chase Lucas (49ers) and C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Eagles).

It’s worth noting that Harris’ signing with the Saints won’t impact Detroit’s compensatory pick calculation for next year. The deadline for transactions passed this week, meaning this signing will not factor in. Although, currently, the Lions are not expected to receive a 2025 draft pick based on free agency.

To see all of the Lions’ additions and losses this free agency, check out our 2024 Detroit Lions offseason tracker.