Report: Rex Expected To Aggressively Target Jets Linebacker Harris In Free Agency
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It appears Rex Ryan is ready to raid the Jets' cupboard for players, just like he did coaches.
The new head coach of the Buffalo Bills is reportedly prepared to target impending free agent linebacker David Harris.
Expect the Bills & Rex Ryan to put on a full-court press for LB David Harris. "It's a no-brainer," source says #nyj pic.twitter.com/NF7xOSMmLl
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) March 5, 2015
Harris, who turned 31 in January and just completed a four-year, $36 million contract with the Jets, figures to be an attractive target for the Bills considering his familiarity with Ryan's defensive schemes and because earlier this week Buffalo agreed to trade one of its top linebackers, Kiko Alonso, to Philadelphia for running back LeSean McCoy.
A former second round pick out of Michigan, Harris had a remarkably consistent, yet unspectacular seven-year stint with the Jets, routinely registering more than 100 tackles in a season while amassing a total of 30 sacks, but he never made a Pro Bowl.
However, the 6-foot-2, 250-pound inside linebacker figures to get a lot of interest once the free agent negotiating window opens on Saturday. Ryan will likely be at the head of the line as Harris will be a natural fit in the Bills' hybrid 3-4 scheme.
The Jets, who were reportedly around $55 million under the salary cap as of Thursday, are expected to be very aggressive in free agency, especially at linebacker, where they are sorely lacking in both every-down ability and experience.
Retaining Harris was thought to be a priority for new general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles, but the Jets chose not to use their franchise tag on the veteran linebacker and there wasn't anything brewing on the long-term deal front.
Ryan was fired following the Jets' 4-12 season in 2014, but he was quickly scooped up the Bills, signing a five-year contract. Ryan then immediately brought most of his coaching staff to Buffalo.