Was it just me or did he once again look like he belonged?
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Aside from that one play where it looked he was lost on that Hock TD, yeah.
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Gotcha. It felt like he was playing arm side leverage with JJ rolling right. JJ then threw it back shoulder. I kind of understand TH’s decision if there was thought behind it.
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His birthday is on Wednesday.
What did you get him?
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I really think we need to applaud the pro personnel group for their cut down period efforts. Lacy has been a useful piece, Wheat has flashed when he gets snaps and Thomas freaking Harper. What a find!
Yea, definitely a good looking player, depth to the room is much better once Kirby comes back. But I like what this kid has shown.
DetNews article on him yesterday.
# Thomas Harper standing out in extended opportunity with Lions
Full article at link.
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Harper’s opportunity, however, isn’t quite yet finished. The second-year undrafted product out of Oklahoma State (2019-22) and Notre Dame (2023) continues to fill in for Kerby Joseph, who has missed Detroit’s last four games with a knee injury and will be absent from a fifth when the Lions welcome the New York Giants to Ford Field on Sunday.
Replacing an All-Pro like Joseph is next to impossible, but Harper has performed well above any reasonable expectations. Among the 83 safeties across the league who’ve logged at least 250 defensive snaps this season, Harper’s overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus (74.0) is tied for 17th. The Lions are one of three teams with two safeties inside the top 20; Brian Branch (76.7) ranks 10th.
“He plays the game the right way. … He’s in his spot at the right time, every time,” Branch said of Harper.
Being able to quickly find his footing is nothing new for Harper, who the Lions claimed off waivers about a week before their season began. Harper didn’t start playing football until his sophomore year (basketball was his first love), and he only joined the team at Karns High School in Tennessee because his older brother, Devin, requested he gave the sport a chance.
Harper’s first play was a kick return for a touchdown.
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By the end of his debut, Harper saw a future in football. After making plays with so little practice reps, he imagined what he could do if he took things seriously. It also helped that Devin, a linebacker and 2½ years Harper’s senior, was on a similar path. Devin spent six seasons at Oklahoma State, and he’s had stints with three NFL teams, most recently with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
“It was super natural,” Harper, 25, said of playing football.
Harper signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was waived following his first training camp and picked up by the Las Vegas Raiders, with whom Harper appeared in 15 games with last season.
He was once again waived in August, opening the door for the Lions to pounce.
Harper was surprised when the Raiders chose to move on, but he’s chosen to operate with the belief that everything happens for a reason. Without that gut punch, Harper wouldn’t be in Detroit.
The Lions came calling less than 24 hours after the Raiders cut him: “I was still shocked, but it was a good feeling knowing that somebody else believed in me,” Harper said.
That belief has proven both prudent and mutually beneficial.
Harper has locked a spot on the roster, he will be great depth.
Problem is I think we only have him on contract thru next year. Would be nice to see them extend him if possible.
He’s an RFA. The second round render will probably be north of 6M by the time he gets there so that’s tough for a depth piece.
But even if it’s two cheap years it’s a great job by the front office.
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He belongs as a backup not is his fault he is backing up a all pro!
Now the secondary kinda sucked today… But Harper has potential. He’s been starting for a month now. He is a name to remember.
Still miss Kerby though
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Kirby and Branch together does change the calculus of throwing in between the hashes. The way Jameis pushes it I’d imagine Kerby gets at least one today if healthy.
I think missing kerby definitely hurts but we also are mixing and matching guys who didn’t play together much. That communication must take time.
Couple that with pass rush being nonexistent and it can lead to some struggles.
it’s been amazing watching some of these new guys play really good ball though!
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