Duron Harmon (born January 24, 1991) is an American professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
safety
Safety is the state of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk.
Meanings
The word 'safety' entered the English language in the 1 ...
. He was selected by the
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The Pa ...
in the third round of the
2013 NFL draft
The 2013 NFL draft was the 78th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft, which is officially called the "NFL Player Selection Meeting", was held at Radio City Music Hall in ...
after playing
college football
College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...
at
Rutgers
Rutgers University ( ), officially Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's College and was aff ...
, Harmon was nicknamed "the Closer" by fans and media for his ability to come up with late, game-sealing interceptions during his Patriots tenure. Harmon has also played for the
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. The team plays their home game ...
,
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The Falcons were founded o ...
,
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football team based in the Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Raiders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West ...
,
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They are one of two remaining ...
and
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. The Browns compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team is named after ...
.
Early life
Harmon was raised in
Magnolia, Delaware. He attended
Caesar Rodney High School
Caesar Rodney High School is a public high school located in Camden, Delaware, just south of Dover. The school is in Caesar Rodney School District. Its enrollment is over 2,000. During 1983 to 1984, Caesar Rodney was recognized as a Blue Ribb ...
in
Camden, Delaware
Camden is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover metropolitan area. The population was 3,715 in 2020.
History
Camden was established in 1783 as a community originally known as Mifflin's Crossroads. The community ...
, and played
high school football
High school football, also known as prep football, is gridiron football played by High school (North America), high school teams in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular high school sports, interscholastic sports in both c ...
for the Caesar Rodney Riders.
College career
While attending
Rutgers University
Rutgers University ( ), officially Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a Public university, public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's C ...
, Harmon played for the
Rutgers Scarlet Knights football
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights football program represents Rutgers University in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). Rutgers competes as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Prior to joining t ...
team from 2009 to 2012. Following his senior season in 2012, he was a first-team All-
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference (stylized as BIG EAST) is a collegiate List of NCAA conferences, athletic conference that competes in National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA NCAA Division I, Division I in 10 men's sports and 12 women's sports. H ...
selection at safety and participated in the
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Professional career
Pre-draft
Coming out of Rutgers, Harmon was not one of the 60 defensive backs to receive an invitation to the
NFL Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine is a week-long showcase occurring every February at Lucas Oil Stadium (and formerly at the RCA Dome until 2008) in Indianapolis, where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Foot ...
. On March 13, 2013, he was one of 17 prospects to attend Rutger's
Pro day
The NFL draft, officially known as the Annual Player Selection Meeting, is an annual event which serves as the most common source of player recruitment in the National Football League. Each team is given a position in the drafting order in reve ...
. Harmon performed all of the required combine and positional drills for scouts and team representatives from all 32 NFL teams. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Harmon was projected to be a seventh round pick or undrafted free agent by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked the 16th best strong safety prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com.
New England Patriots
2013
The
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The Pa ...
selected Harmon in the third round, (91st overall) of the
2013 NFL draft
The 2013 NFL draft was the 78th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft, which is officially called the "NFL Player Selection Meeting", was held at Radio City Music Hall in ...
. He was the second defensive back selected by the Patriots in 2013, along with
Logan Ryan (84th overall). The selection of Harmon by the Patriots in the third round surprised many draft evaluators and analysts and was seen as a reach. When his selection was announced,
ESPN
ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...
and the
NFL Network
NFL Network (occasionally abbreviated on-air as NFLN) is an American sports-oriented pay television network owned by the National Football League NTP and is part of NFL Media, which also includes NFL.com, NFL Films, NFL Mobile, NFL Now and N ...
failed to play his college highlights as typically done with draft announcements since they weren't expecting him to be drafted.
On May 15, 2013, the New England Patriots signed Harmon to a four-year, $2.711 million contract that included a $533,600 signing bonus.
Throughout training camp, he competed against
Adrian Wilson,
Steve Gregory, and
Tavon Wilson for the job as the starting strong safety after it was left vacant by the departure of Patrick Chung. Head coach
Bill Belichick named Harmon the backup strong safety behind Steve Gregory to start the regular season.
He made his professional regular season debut in the Patriots' Week 2 matchup against the
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team p ...
and made one tackle in their 13–10 victory. In Week 8, he deflected a pass and made his first career interception off
Ryan Tannehill in their 27–17 victory against the
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...
. The following week, he recorded four combined tackles, deflected a pass, and returned an interception by
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger Sr. ( ; born March 2, 1982), nicknamed "Big Ben", is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Ste ...
for 42 yards during their 55–31 victory against the
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...
. On November 18, 2013, Harmon earned his first career start in place of Steve Gregory, who suffered an injured finger earlier in the week. He made three solo tackles in the Patriots' 24–20 loss at the
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The t ...
. The following week, he made his second consecutive start the following week and recorded a season-high 11 combined tackles during their 34–31 win against the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...
. He finished his rookie season in with 31 combined tackles (24 solo), four pass deflections, and two interceptions in 15 games and three starts.
2014
Entering training camp in 2014, Harmon was slated to be the starting strong safety after the departure of Steve Gregory. He competed against
Kanorris Davis and
Patrick Chung and ultimately lost the job to Chung and was relegated to backup strong safety.
In Week 6, Harmon recorded a season-high three combined tackles during a 37–22 win at the
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East div ...
. On December 14, 2014, Harmon returned an interception by Ryan Tannehill for 60-yards as the Patriots defeated the Dolphins 41–13. In the divisional round of the 2014 playoffs, Harmon intercepted
Joe Flacco's pass with less than two minutes remaining in the game allowing the Patriots to hold onto a 35–31 win over the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
. "That's the biggest pick of my life," Harmon said after the game. Harmon and the Patriots would go on to win
Super Bowl XLIX
Super Bowl XLIX was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2014 NFL season, 2014 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion 2014 New England Patriots season, New Eng ...
over the
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The club entered the NFL a ...
.
2015–2016
In the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Harmon was mainly used as the Patriots' third safety alongside
Devin McCourty and
Patrick Chung primarily in nickel and dime packages.
In the Divisional Round of the 2016 playoffs, Harmon intercepted
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team plays its home games at N ...
' quarterback
Brock Osweiler—after fellow Rutgers alums
Devin McCourty and Logan Ryan each had picks of their own—in a 34–16 victory. On February 5, 2017, Harmon won his second career Super Bowl championship as the Patriots won
Super Bowl LI. In the game, he had three tackles and the Patriots defeated the
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The Falcons were founded o ...
by a score of 34–28 in overtime. The game featured the largest comeback in Super Bowl history as the Patriots trailed by 25 points in the third quarter.
2017
On March 9, 2017, Harmon, who was a free agent at the time, signed a four-year contract worth a maximum of $20 million to remain with the Patriots. The deal included a $5 million signing bonus and $1.5 million in guaranteed salary.
On September 5, 2017, Harmon was named a Patriots captain for the first time in his career.
On December 17, 2017, during Week 15 against the
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...
, Harmon made the game-sealing interception as the Patriots won 27–24, allowing them to clinch the
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is one of the four Division (sport), divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). There are currently four teams that reside in th ...
. The interception was his fourth of the 2017 season, and his third in the final two minutes of a game. The Patriots went on to have home field advantage throughout the playoffs and make
Super Bowl LII
Super Bowl LII was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2017 season. As a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX from 13 years earlier, the game was between the National Football Conferen ...
. In the Super Bowl, Harmon recorded five tackles and one interception in a losing effort to the
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The team plays its ...
.
2018
Harmon switched his jersey number from No. 30 to No. 21 with the arrival of
Jason McCourty. Harmon finished the
2018 season with 38 tackles, four interceptions, and four passes defensed. He helped the Patriots reach
Super Bowl LIII where they beat the
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Rams compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West ...
13–3.
2019
In week 6 against the
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...
, Harmon recorded his first interception of the season off
Daniel Jones and returned it for 27 yards in the 35–14 win. He appeared in all 16 regular season games and started eight. He had 22 total tackles (19 solo), two interceptions, and five passes defended.
Detroit Lions
On March 18, 2020, the Patriots traded Harmon along with a seventh-round draft pick in 2020 to the
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. The team plays their home game ...
in exchange for the
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The club entered the NFL a ...
' fifth-round 2020 draft pick.
In Week 3 against the
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The ...
, Harmon recorded his first interception as a Lion during the 26–23 win. He started in all 16 regular season games. He had 73 total tackles (54 solo), two interceptions, and five passes defended.
Atlanta Falcons
On April 15, 2021, Harmon signed a one-year contract with the
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The Falcons were founded o ...
. He started in all 17 regular season games. He had 67 total tackles (44 solo), two interceptions, and five passes defended.
Las Vegas Raiders
On March 24, 2022, Harmon signed a one-year contract with the
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football team based in the Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Raiders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West ...
. In Week 7, against the Houston Texans, he had 73-yard interception return for a touchdown. In the 2022 season, he started in all 17 regular season games. He had 86 total tackles (63 solo), two interceptions, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
Baltimore Ravens
On September 12, 2023, Harmon signed with the practice squad of the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
.
Chicago Bears
On October 3, 2023, the
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They are one of two remaining ...
signed Harmon to their active roster. He was released on November 8.
Cleveland Browns
On November 22, 2023, Harmon was signed to the
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. The Browns compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team is named after ...
practice squad. He was signed to the active roster on December 13. In the 2023 season, he appeared in seven games and made one start. He recorded one sack, one interception, and two passes defended.
NFL career statistics
Regular season
Legal troubles
On March 24, 2018, it was revealed that Harmon had possession of marijuana while landing at
Costa Rica
Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America. It borders Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, as well as Maritime bo ...
. Harmon was detained and denied entry, being sent back to the United States after marijuana and paraphernalia were found in his luggage. About 58 grams of marijuana were found inside a can of iced tea, three pipes with cannabis oil, a THC candy, and four glass containers with compressed marijuana that weighed 4.3 grams. Harmon was not arrested, but was instead sent back.
References
External links
Rutgers Scarlet Knights bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harmon, Duron
1991 births
Living people
American football safeties
Atlanta Falcons players
Baltimore Ravens players
Chicago Bears players
Cleveland Browns players
Detroit Lions players
Las Vegas Raiders players
New England Patriots players
Sportspeople from Kent County, Delaware
Players of American football from Delaware
Rutgers Scarlet Knights football players