Christian Harris and Jack Sanborn

[Pantherbro13]

How do we feel about these two going into 2023? Texans hiring Ryans could help Harris being a LB himself. Loved what I got out of Sanborn until he got hurt. They have so much cap space I am worried they sign someone to start with more experience.

[TheBelgian]

It's always possible that a team signs a cheap veteran in the off-season, but both of these teams have other positions of need that should be of more importance. The Texans spent a 3rd on Harris, who has plenty of upside. Sanborn isn't quick or fast, but his instincts are awesome and he seemed to fill the role very well. Maybe it's optimistic, but I would be confident with at least one of these players sticking as a starter and I think both of them being starters next year is likely.

[killer_of_giants]

i haven't watched much texans (who knows why...), so not sure on harris. he's been the starter and played a lot, but i see his pff grade is putrid. still the whole texans were. they have the holes and he has the draft capital to survive another season, and ryans is probably the best head coach harris could have hoped for.

sanborn i've watched a bit more. he's great against the run, meh in coverage. bears have a lot of cap space and will likely have a lot of picks. with morrow out of contract and average, they will had to add some LBs, probably bring another vet to lead the defense, and they need some backups. having so much cap space limits the upside of having a very cheap contract: still a good thing, but just marginally (for now). so he either improves in coverage while fending off new LBs, or he'll become a 2-down thumper like singleton and the likes (which is what i thik he'll end up being).
being a (relatively) unathletic UDFA will give some prospects with higher ceiling a chance at seizing his job imo.

i think both will be starters next season, but will have to show a lot to stay in that position.