Browns could be inclined to trade an old AFC West foe to the Chiefs after the injury to rookie DT Omarr Norman-Lott
The Cleveland Browns have the perfect veteran stopgap defensive tackle option for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders came at the price of a costly injury to rookie DT Omarr Norman-Lott. The rookie defender will be placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL on Sunday afternoon. Suddenly, an imperfect interior defensive line group looks like much more of a problem without the promising second-round draft pick.
With the upcoming NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Chiefs could seek to acquire some reinforcements along the defensive line. Brett Veach has been known to acquire players at the trade deadline, but some of those trades have worked out better than others over the years (see: Josh Uche). The big question about the defensive tackle position moving forward will be the type of player they go after. Will Kansas City continue its aim toward getting younger at the position or should they invest in a veteran?
If the team chooses the latter, it’s possible that an old AFC West foe could be made available at the deadline. Cleveland Browns DT Shelby Harris spent the majority of his career squaring off with the Chiefs, playing for both the Oakland Raiders (2014-2015) and the Denver Broncos (2017-2021). They’re very familiar with him as an opponent and that familiarity could help facilitate a deal. Harris has appeared in seven games with Cleveland this season as a rotational defensive tackle. While he’s yet to record a sack this season, he has recorded six pressures, eight defensive stops, and maintains a reputation as one of the league’s better run defenders.
We spoke to A to Z Sports’ Brandon Little to get the scoop on Harris.
Shelby Harris offers Kansas City an immediate veteran stop-gap at defensive tackle
The Chiefs already attempted to acquire one Browns defensive tackle this season and failed, but could they coax Harris away from Cleveland? It might not be so far-fetched. The Browns sit at 2-5 after defeating the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, but they’re still likely among sellers at the deadline. That’s especially true with a player like Harris given his contract.
“The Browns are never shy about making trades, and they’ve already completed three this season. None of those moves were about waving the white flag — each one had a specific purpose. That said, the Browns will soon have to decide whether to raise that flag by the Nov. 4 trade deadline. When that time comes, they’ll need to consider moving expiring contracts that make sense to part with. Shelby Harris could be one of those players along the defensive line, and he might be the most likely candidate to be traded in what is his 11th NFL season. Harris has recorded 11 tackles, a quarterback hit, and a crucial blocked field goal in Cleveland’s win over the Green Bay Packers this year.
At 34 years old, Harris still provides solid depth, and his 6-foot-3, 300-pound frame continues to impact games. However, his snaps will likely decrease as soon as Week 8 against the New England Patriots, with second-year defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. nearing a return from offseason knee surgery. Hall represents the future of the position alongside rookie Mason Graham, and the Browns will naturally lean in his direction over the veteran. Cleveland’s free agent signing of Maliek Collins has passed with flying colors too. For that reason, Harris makes a lot of sense as a trade target for a contender. It likely wouldn’t take more than a late-round swap — something like a sixth-round pick for a seventh — to acquire him. Harris is well-liked by his teammates and could quickly contribute to a playoff-caliber defense.” — Brandon Little, A to Z Sports, Cleveland
Acquiring an 11th-year veteran leaves little fear of error when it comes to adjusting on the fly and learning Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme. On the other hand, this trade would still leave the Chiefs with long-term needs at defensive tackle, which might be even more necessary with Norman-Lott facing an ACL recovery.
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