Shelby Harris

Denver Broncos defensive tackle who blocked a field goal on Monday Night Football and recorded 5.5 sacks in his first season with the team.

Shelby Harris (born August 11, 1991) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois State Redbirds and was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders, where he spent his first two seasons. After not making a final roster in 2016, Harris played his next five seasons with the Denver Broncos. Harris was traded to the Seahawks in 2022. He has also played for the Cleveland Browns.

Quick Facts

Current team: New York Giants
Position: Defensive tackle
Born: 11 August 1991
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
High school: Homestead (Mequon, Wisconsin)
College: Wisconsin (2009); Illinois State (2010–2012)
Draft year: 2014
Draft round: 7

Lore & Background

Harris initially went to the University of Wisconsin to play for the Badgers. After redshirting his freshman year, he transferred to Illinois State. In 2010, he was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference all-newcomer team. In 2012, he started all thirteen games as the Redbirds reached the FCS national quarterfinals, and he was named to the all-MVFC first-team. But before the 2013 season, he was dismissed from the Redbirds for conduct detrimental to the team.

Reader's Guide

Harris was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft with the 235th overall pick. On May 20, 2014, he signed his contract with the Raiders. On September 18, Harris was waived. On September 20, he was signed to the Raiders' practice squad. On December 24, he was elevated to the active roster. On September 5, 2015, he was waived. On September 9, Harris was re-signed to the practice squad. On October 24, he was elevated to the active roster. On October 31, he was waived again. On November 3, Harris was re-signed to the practice squad. On November 19, he was elevated to the active roster again. On May 16, 2016, Harris was released by the Raiders. On June 1, 2016, Harris was signed by the New York Jets. On August 28, Harris was waived by the Jets. On December 22, 2016, Harris was signed to the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad. He was released on January 10, 2017. On January 25, 2017, Harris signed a reserve/future contract with the Denver Broncos. On September 11, on Monday Night Football Harris saved the game for the Broncos with a late-game block of a field goal by Los Angeles Chargers rookie Younghoe Koo. Harris went on to have the most productive season of his career, recording 34 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 5.5 sacks, the last of which was good for second on the team behind teammate Von Miller. On November 25, 2018, Harris recorded his first career interception. Harris intercepted Ben Roethlisberger in the endzone to prevent a would-be game-tying touchdown and seal an upset win for the Broncos. On March 7, 2019, the Broncos placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Harris. In week 11 against the Minnesota Vikings, Harris sacked Kirk Cousins 3 times, one of which was a strip sack which was recovered by teammate A.J. Johnson in the 27–23 loss. In the final game of the season against the Oakland Raiders, he preserved the Broncos' 16–15 victory by knocking down Derek Carr's pass on what would have been the game-winning two-point conversion. On April 2, 2020, the Broncos re-signed Harris to a one-year, $3.25 million contract. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 4, 2020, and activated on December 2. On December 31, 2020, Harris was placed on injured reserve.