CHARLES HARRIS

ALLEN PARK -- Aidan Hutchinson played his high school ball at Dearborn Divine Child, which is, oh, about 7 miles down the road from Detroit Lions headquarters. “If you’re a really good football player, you’re going to be able to be a great player in any scheme,” he said. “I know in every scheme I’m going to be dominant as a football player.”Hutchinson doesn’t lack for confidence, that’s for sure, and nor should he. I’m just going to continue to learn and grow every single day I’m out here. I’m screwing up, but it’s OK because that’s kind of what it takes to take that next step.”

The Lions’ rookie class is well-regarded around the league too. Here’s a look at four players whose seats have heated up coming out of the NFL draft. Barring injury, Benson looks like he’s headed for the practice squad, if he’s still in Detroit at all. Last season, Harris was even worse. As Harris enters the final year of his rookie deal, his future in Detroit has never been more unclear.

The Detroit Lions continued to make big investments on defense in the NFL draft and are hoping that they result in immediate rewards to a franchise that has struggled in recent seasons.

ESPN’s Todd McShay doesn’t think the Detroit Lions should take a quarterback at Pick 2. McShay has Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson to the Jacksonville Jaguars to get things started, then sent Georgia’s Travon Walker to Detroit. McShay then sends Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder to the Lions at Pick 32. McShay then sends Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill to Detroit at Pick 34 at the top of Round 2. “Hill probably belongs in the first round, but the Lions get lucky with the smooth, speedy safety on Day 2,” McShay writes.

Defensive lineman Arden Key took a free-agent visit to Detroit last week, and while he left town without a deal, the Lions haven’t shut the door on the former 49ers pass rusher either. “We’ll just see where it goes,” Holmes said this week at the NFL owners meetings in Palm Beach, Fla. “We haven’t totally closed the door on that. They finished 29th in sacks last season, then cut loose former top pass rusher Trey Flowers this month. The Lions are expected to target a pass rusher early in the draft, and perhaps even with the No. They can get to the quarterback in a lot of different ways, but I do think that they can all be different.”

The Detroit Lions are also re-signing quarterback David Blough, according to ESPN. Blough is the seventh player Detroit has re-signed in the last week, and the second quarterback, joining fellow backup Tim Boyle. That includes big extensions for safety Tracy Walker (three years, $25 million) and pass rusher Charles Harris (two years, $14 million). The only player Detroit has lost in free agency is Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a special teams standout who just agreed to a two-year deal with Houston that is worth $7.5 million and includes $5 million in guarantees. With Reeves-Maybin out in Detroit, the book is closed on the Lions’ 2017 draft class.

The Detroit Lions continue to take care of their own to start free agency. The NFL Network reports Detroit is re-signing breakout pass rusher Charles Harris to a two-year deal worth $14 million. “He had his best year, in my opinion,” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said of Harris after the season. “The Lions, in general, Detroit, the team, the city, it just embodies myself,” Harris said in the interview. Related headlines:There’s a lot to like about the Detroit Lions signing WR D.J.

The first day of free agency negotiations is well underway, and quite a bit of money has been sent around to get the week started. Quandre Diggs re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks for a reported $40 million deal over three seasons. The agreement includes a $20 million signing bonus, and the salary goes from $1.5 million to $15.5 million in Year 2. This post will continue to update as more signings and happenings occur:2022 NFL free agency tracker: Latest signings, trades, contract info for all 32 teams -- NFL.comCould Baker Mayfield get traded? Hilton: I’m A Free Agent, So If You Want Me, Come Get Me -- Pro Football TalkJacksonville Jaguars make free agency splash, land Brandon Scherff, Christian Kirk -- Florida Times-UnionPackers Re-Signing All-Pro Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell -- Sports IllustratedJaguars’ free agency moves point toward Aidan Hutchinson at No.

This is the final of a seven-part series previewing the Detroit Lions’ positional needs heading into free agency. After a breakout season on a one-year deal in Detroit, Charles Harris is a free agent. And while those two should remain the top two options at Pick 2 no matter what happens in free agency. Von Miller, Chandler Jones, Jadeveon Clowney, Randy Gregory, Hasson Reddick and Emmanuel Ogbah highlight a deep edge rusher market. Jones started 17 games last season while posting 56 tackles, 10 for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles.

The Lions lack talent throughout their roster, and they can use help in NFL free agency at every position in coach Dan Campbell's second season.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Most of the talk concerning the Detroit Lions and their interest in adding talent to the defensive edges has understandably focused on Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The veteran defender and team-voted captain has a cap hit of $23.2 million for 2022 and $23.6 million for 2023. The edge defender lauded for his power notched 29 tackles for loss and 14 sacks in 26 games across three seasons. He then went off for 12 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and five forced fumbles in 2021. And it’s really a good thing that you can do all of that, play defensive end at the University of Georgia.

Previous entries: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive lineDEFENSIVE LINE/EDGE DEFENDERSStarters: EDGE Trey Flowers, EDGE Romeo Okwara, DL Nick Williams, DL Michael Brockers, NT Alim McNeillBackups: EDGE Charles Harris, EDGE Julian Okwara, EDGE Austin Bryant, EDGE Rashod Berry, EDGE Jessie Lemonier, DL Levi Onwuzurike, DL Jashon Cornell, NT John Penisini, DL Bruce HectorKey stats: Charles Harris led the team with 7.5 sacks and 52 pressures. The third-round rookie even got in the mix getting after the quarterback, flashing that size-athleticism combo that had many excited. It allowed Charles Harris to come in and enjoy a career-best campaign while putting the pass rush on his back. Harris had only 6.5 sacks and 81 pressures through his first four years in the league. The former first-round pick exploded for 7.5 sacks and 52 pressures through only seven starts after signing a one-year deal.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions did a lot of good work this past season. Everyone needs good glue, and the Lions have a lot of guys who could fit that kind of role for a contender. But I just don’t think he’s the answer for the rebuild. I love these guys, especially Jacobs, but I’m scared they have “empty” stats and they would be bench players on a good team. Anyway, I don’t think so.

A Mississippi deer hunter intended to put meat in his freezer and he did just that with a record book buck that gross-scored 185 inches.

There is a definite need at edge rusher in Detroit, with questions concerning Trey Flowers and Charles Harris. We’ll do ourselves a favor and separate the edge defenders and interior defensive linemen for this year’s position previews. Today will focus on five edge players, with next week’s taking the big guys on the inside:Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, MichiganYou’ve heard of this guy, right? Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, OregonKayvon Thibodeaux is right up there with Hutchinson in the discussion for the top-two picks. Carson Wells, EDGE, ColoradoCarson Wells has 29.5 tackles for loss through his last 18 games, adding 11.5 sacks in that span.

The Dungeon of Doom is back with a season-capping special episode, offering highlights and observations from Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes’ year-end press conference. -- Charles Harris and Tracy Walker are the team’s top in-house free agents, with Brad Holmes calling each a fit for what they’re looking for in players. Holmes runs through the story of Dan Campbell coming to his office to discuss taking over playcalling duties. -- Holmes talks about past experiences from the Senior Bowl, which should have Lions fans feeling optimistic heading into draft season. Dungeon of Doom podcast: Jack Fox was living on friend’s floor months before record-setting Lions seasonDungeon of Doom podcast: Graham Glasgow talks leaving Detroit, working out with Michigan’s Aidan HutchinsonDungeon of Doom podcast: Dan Miller, voice of the Detroit Lions, looks ahead and talks favorite callsLetter from the Editor: Why start a Lions podcast now?

“Tracy had already been with us obviously, but a new scheme, a new regime, new coaching staff, and he responded well here, he really did. Walker has sidestepped questions about his intentions for free agency, but has been clear about his love and respect for the new coaching staff in Detroit. “I love my coaching staff,” he said. But I love this coaching staff, I love this locker room, I love this group of men surrounding me. With high-priced rushers like Trey Flowers and Romeo Okwara injured most of the season, Harris stepped into a starting role and led the team in sacks (7.5) and quarterback hits (10).

ALLEN PARK -- The future of Trey Flowers is one of the most pressing issues facing general manager Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions heading into the offseason. On top of that, Lions general manager Brad Holmes gave the veteran defender some props for being “the ultimate glue guy” despite shying away from discussing his future with the team. “Yeah, you know Trey, you’re talking about the ultimate glue guy, ultimate leader,” Holmes said Tuesday. Okwara notched two sacks in the season finale against the Packers while starting for the first time of his career. Related headlines:Live updates recap: Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes holds year-end press conference after first seasonDetroit Lions coaching staff selected for the 2022 Senior BowlRomeo Okwara moving more at this stage of Achilles recovery, motivated to get back for Detroit Lions2022 NFL draft: Top 18 picks set, Detroit Lions hold No.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions want safety Tracy Walker back next season. But once he gets around to it in the offseason, the decision on Walker will be a big one. And the one thing he’s done, he’s bought into everything that we’re trying to get done in this defense as far as a safety’s perspective, and he’s grown. He’s grown in that, and he’s also become a leader as far as linebackers, as far as getting everybody together and watching some tape. Again, they are one of the captains of our team because of the communication we ask them to do, and he’s going to continue to grow.

The Detroit Lions (2-12-1) have two games left on the slate, with their last road trip of the year next, drawing the Seattle Seahawks (5-10) in Week 17 action. Both teams have been eliminated from the postseason, with this being Seattle’s first season with double-digit losses under coach Pete Carroll. Detroit Lions elevate 5 practice squad players ahead of Seahawks gameJosh Reynolds was not activated on Saturday as expected. Still, the Lions announced the elevation of five practice squad player, with three of those serving as COVID replacements. Sometimes, I think you forget until you’re where we’re at in Week 17 and when you see an athlete like Swift that’s fresh, it’s a sight for sore eyes.

ALLEN PARK -- The Dungeon of Doom podcast welcomes Charles Harries, the Detroit Lions edge defender enjoying a true breakout season after being labeled a first-round bust after his first four years in the league. Harris has career highs in sacks (7.5), quarterback pressures (51), tackles for loss (10), forced fumbles (two), tackles (61), snaps played (744) and games started (12). Hosts Kyle Meinke and Ben Raven also dive deeper into the conversation surrounding Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his hot play and whether it changes his long-term future in Detroit. -- Harris talks about the scheme and his relationship with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Dungeon of Doom podcast: Jack Fox was living on friend’s floor months before record-setting Lions seasonDungeon of Doom podcast: Graham Glasgow talks leaving Detroit, working out with Michigan’s Aidan HutchinsonDungeon of Doom podcast: Dan Miller, voice of the Detroit Lions, looks ahead and talks favorite callsLetter from the Editor: Why start a Lions podcast now?

Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams was back in the lineup for the first time in two weeks, joining the red-hot Craig Reynolds in the backfield. The Lions lost 20-16 to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16, with two games left on the schedule. Reynolds wasn’t far behind, though, seeing 27 plays, maintaining his role after an impressive first two games of action. Williams ran 19 times for a season-high 77 yards, with a long of 14 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt. He added 21 of his 29 yards after contact, catching three of four targets for 22 yards, with a long catch of 14 yards.

ALLEN PARK -- Charles Harris was a first-round pick in 2017, spending three seasons with the team that drafted him in the Miami Dolphins before his lone year with the Atlanta Falcons. The Detroit Lions happen to head to Atlanta for a matchup with the Falcons the day after Christmas in Week 16, with Harris playing the best football of his career. Harris had 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss across 41 games with the Dolphins. You tell me how many times has Charles Harris been in coverage the way we’ve put him in coverage. “My challenge for him is the same each week: You need to be better than you were the week before.

The Detroit Lions edge defender has continued his breakout season into the final three games, making his case as a potential piece to this puzzle. “But yeah, Charles has been a relentless player for us all season long,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. His 47 pressures on the season are tops for the Lions, with Romeo Okwara’s 16 through four games sitting second. Really that’s what it is. “That’s really what it is.

DETROIT -- Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions are celebrating a victory for the second time in three weeks, riding an actual home winning streak with their 30-12 upset win against the Arizona Cardinals. In the video shared by the team, Campbell is seen addressing the team with quarterback Jared Goff behind the first-year coach. The Lions also swarmed Craig Reynolds, with the practice squad call-up running 26 times for 112 yards in his first start. It’s worth noting the Lions didn’t lose control after this win to the same degree they did after beating the Minnesota Vikings two weeks ago. Welcome to Detroit,” Campbell said.

The Detroit Lions put cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu and Mark Gilbert along with linebacker Tavante Beckett on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Jared Goff ran out of the tunnel to a smattering of boos during pregame introductions. About 90 minutes later, he ran back up that tunnel having delivered perhaps his best half of football in Detroit. Harris now has six sacks in 12 games with Detroit, after registering just 6.5 sacks in his first four seasons combined. Wright is the first undrafted tight end to catch a touchdown pass for Detroit since Joseph Fauria in 2013. And just like that, 365 days since their last win, the Lions are two quarters from finally ending the NFL’s longest drought.

The Lions are winning only 33% of their pass rushes, the second-worst mark in the NFL per ESPN. Pro Football Reference has the Lions ranking in the middle of the pack, with a 25.7% blitz rate on quarterback dropbacks. I’m ready for whatever workload we got. I think they got a lot of confidence in the players or whatever plays, whatever they got to put on their plate, so I’m ready for it. I’m ready to show whatever I can do and get on the field as much as I can.”

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions were missing starting nickelback A.J. Parker in Sunday’s 44-6 loss to the Eagles, moving pieces around to fill his void. Safety Will Harris saw most of the early work from the nickel with Parker missing, finishing with a season-low 33 snaps, though. Swift had his worst game of the season despite the clear runway, running 12 times for 27 yards, adding five catches for only 24 yards. David Blough drew his first four snaps of the season, running once for 6 yards while not attempting a pass.

Dan Campbell doesn't like watching film when he's angry.

Dan Campbell doesn’t like watching film when he’s angry.

The Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals have been on the wrong side of NFL history so far this season.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions edge defender Charles Harris has a sack across four consecutive games, flashing some of the quick pass-rush moves and talent that made him a first-round pick back in 2017. Lions outside linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said Harris has been a man on a mission since first stepping through the doors in Allen Park. “He’s built, in my opinion, this is my personal opinion, everybody’s different, but to play on the edge -- he’s a very physical, quick-twitchy player. “Honestly, when I first got here, I didn’t see myself as a situational player,” Harris said. “I think that’s something that the coaching staff did a great job with was that, you know, they probably viewed me as a situational player.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions placed Romeo Okwara on injured reserve and reportedly signed offensive lineman Ryan McCollum from Houston’s practice squad. Okwara’s addition to injured reserve shouldn’t surprise anyone, with Lions coach Dan Campbell previously confirming a season-ending Achilles injury. Austin Bryant and Julian Okwara should also be in line for more work out of the edge defender room. Detroit could also be without center Frank Ragnow for a couple of games, signing McCollum from the Texans. “He’s got, basically, a version of turf toe right now is what he’s got,” Campbell said of Ragnow.

They’ve dropped eight straight games overall, the second-longest losing streak in the league. Romeo Okwara is Detroit’s top pass rusher, and now he’s feared to have ruptured his Achilles tendon, the same injury that has already devasted former third-overall pick Jeff Okudah. “It doesn’t look good at all,” head coach Dan Campbell said a few minutes after the game, face reddened after a fourth straight loss. “We’ll know more in the morning, but, yeah.”That’s bad enough, but it seems Ragnow could miss time too with a toe injury. Ragnow is not only Detroit’s best offensive lineman, but offensive player overall, and perhaps their best player period.

But when he took the podium last Sunday, just minutes after the Detroit Lions were beaten in extraordinary fashion, the quarterback clearly had something to say. Rookie quarterback Justin Fields completed just six passes in that game, took nine sacks and net just 1 yard passing in his first NFL start. It was a big one too, separating Justin Fields from the football late in the fourth quarter. A couple plays later, Harris took another bad path to the football and was beaten by Fields for a third-down pickup on the ground. Then they got together again for another score in the fourth quarter, a 25-yard rip up the right seam.

ALLEN PARK -- Trey Flowers’ injury woes continue. Going back to last season, Flowers has now missed 11 of Detroit’s last 13 games. The good news for Detroit is its edge rushers actually played pretty well without Flowers on the field last week against Baltimore. Austin Bryant chipped in one sack off the bench, while Julian Okwara had four pressures on just nine pass rushes. And that’s all those guys, from AB, Julian Okwara, Romeo, we have a number of guys we expect a lot of, right?

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions found their long-absent pass rush last week, generating a season-high 25 pressures and sacking Lamar Jackson four times. I think we talked about doing that in training camp, that those guys are very important pieces to this defense,” Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. And we’re going to continue to expect that.”Waiting for the Lions at Soldier Field this weekend is Chicago’s banged-up offensive line. The Bears drafted tackle Teven Jenkins at Pick 39, letting go of veteran offensive lineman Charles Leno in the process. I thought every one of those guys had a winning performance and gave us a chance,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.

DETROIT -- Jamaal Williams got the start out of the backfield for the Detroit Lions in Week 1, but D’Andre Swift dominated the snaps, seeing 63 reps to Williams’ 32. Williams wasn’t forgotten by any means, taking nine carries for 54 yards and one score, notching a 20-yard long for the day. Despite a frantic late comeback attempt, the Lions lost their season opener 41-33 to the San Francisco 49ers. Penei Sewell was welcomed to the NFL with 92 snaps at left tackle, holding his own against 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa in the process. -- The edge rusher rotation saw Trey Flowers get 49 snaps, with Charles Harris getting 15 reps and Austin Bryant only one.

The staff and front office that brought Flowers to Detroit from New England, paying him $90 million over five years in the process, is gone. His position in the team’s base 3-4 defense is also changing, with Flowers moving from defensive end to outside linebacker. He’s spent the past month preparing for the season, getting used to his evolving role in the team’s new-look defense under first-year coordinator Aaron Glenn. Flowers didn’t play in the team’s preseason finale or the week before, drawing 11 defensive snaps in the exhibition opener against the Buffalo Bills. Lions coach Dan Campbell admitted at the start of training camp that they were asking Flowers to do some stuff he hadn’t done before.

You’d be hard-pressed to find another organization that has undergone more change than your Detroit Lions. Levi Onwuzurike will move around more, playing defensive end in base sets and moving inside on dime and other packages. Brockers brings something that was missing from the defensive line through Matt Patricia’s tenure -- being available. With all that said, Detroit’s defensive line has been one of the least effective in the league for two years running. It’ll be a great duo.”Roster projection: Michael Brockers, Levi Onwuzurike, Alim McNeill, Da’Shawn Hand, John Penisini

ALLEN PARK -- For those up in arms when word breaks either Rod Wood or Sheila Ford Hamp participated in a football-related meeting, buckle up because the Detroit Lions love this new era of collaboration. Disner, Holmes and Campbell report directly to Wood and Ford Hamp, eliminating a layer of communication from the previous regime. I would love for us to be a team here, like a legit team. For what is the best for the Lions organization.’ She’s been nothing but outstanding. When you have an owner that wants to be involved in that, but yet she’s just like Sheila is?

The Lions opened the league’s new year by re-signing Romeo Okwara to a three-year, $39 million deal. Related: Early Detroit Lions depth chart: Strengths, weaknesses, holes to fill after first wave of free agency ($)NFL mock draft roundup: Lions remain tied to top receivers, Micah Parsons after recent movesThe Lions remain in need of depth in more than a couple of spots, including receiver, linebacker and the secondary. Indy declined his fifth-year option this time last year, with Pro Football Focus projecting Hooker gets a one-year, $2 million deal this offseason. The five-time Pro Bowl guard started nine games for new Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn in Los Angeles last season. Hayward led the NFL with seven interceptions back in 2016, which is the same amount of passes he’s picked off in the four seasons combined since.

ALLEN PARK -- Sheila Ford Hamp had one request for new Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris. It’s laugh and giggles, like ‘haha,’ just go get the quarterback, ‘haha,’” Harris said of his interaction with Ford Hamp. “I think that’s something I’m looking to capitalize on and looking to do to get done. “I think that’s kind of what us in the defense try to more so do, and that’s to have a 3-4/4-3 look,” he said. I think that’s something as a defensive player you really respect, respect getting straight to the point.

Perriman's father, Bret, was a standout receiver for the Lions in the 1990s. Defensive end Charles Harris agreed to terms with Detroit, according to a person familiar with the situation. AdLast week, the Lions signed veteran receiver Tyrell Williams after he was released by the Las Vegas Raiders. Perriman had 30 receptions for 505 yards and three touchdowns with the New York Jets last season, his fifth in the NFL. AdThe Lions re-signed defensive end Romeo Okwara to a $39 million, three-year contract.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are reportedly finding more help for the edge, signing former first-round defensive end Charles Harris. ESPN didn’t disclose terms of the deal while the Detroit News reports a final agreement hasn’t been reached. Harris, Pick 22 to the Dolphins in 2017, had a career-high three sacks and 18 tackles in 13 games for the Falcons last year. Detroit also retained Romeo Okwara, signing the team’s top pass rusher from last season to a three-year, $39 million deal. On the inside, the Lions have Da’Shawn Hand, Nick Williams, John Penisini, Jashon Cornell, Kevin Strong, John Atkins and Brockers.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan gets sacked by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)CHARLOTTE, N.C. – This time, the Atlanta Falcons finished. Carolina was driving late, but Atlanta stopped the rally when Blidi Wreh-Wilson intercepted Teddy Bridgewater near the Falcons' 10-yard line with 1:04 remaining. Moore on third and 18 to move the Panthers into Falcons territory. Bridgewater was limited to 176 yards passing as the Panthers (3-5) lost their third straight game without injured Christian McCaffrey. UP NEXTFalcons: Host the Broncos on Nov. 8Panthers: Open the second half of the season at the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Nov. 8.