The New York Giants continued their firesale on Wednesday, trading defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison to the Detroit Lions for a future fifth-round pick, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapport. The deal comes a day after the Giants traded cornerback Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints.
An All-Pro in 2016, Harrison gives the Lions’ rush defense—which ranks 30th in the NFL, allowing 139.3 yards per game—much needed-assistance. Gashed for a league-high 5.3 yards-per-carry this season, the Lions needed an upgrade at the position to address their weakness up the middle.
Harrison, a seven-year undrafted veteran who spent the first four seasons of his career with the New York Jets, is one of the best interior run-stoppers in the league. Pro Football Focus currently ranks Harrison as the fourth-best defender against the rush for 2018. He has 31 tackles and one forced fumble this season.
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| The Giants traded Damon Harrison to the Lions. (Mike Stobe/NewsDay) |
The Lions have won three of their past four games since their 0-2 start and the addition of Harrison makes them a real threat to win a wide-open NFC North, which the Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1) currently lead.
The 29-year-old Harrison is in the third year of a five-year, $46.25 million contract he signed in 2016. For the 1-6 Giants, the move opens up $8 million in salary cap for next season. General manager Dave Gettleman has his eyes on the future for a team that has underachieved for the second straight year. The Giants are tied with the San Francisco 49ers for the worst record in the NFL, a season after finishing with the league’s second-worst record.
