LA Chargers fans are finally getting their first taste of football with OTAs officially underway. While it's nothing compared to the season, or even training camp for that matter, OTAs can give fans a taste of what is to come (especially with rookies who have no prior experience in the NFL).
Second-round pick Tre Harris is one of the most exciting rookies that Chargers fans have an eye on. Harris projects to have a big role in the Chargers' offense and has the necessary skillset to be an overqualified No. 2 target behind Ladd McConkey.
College tape and scouting reports don't mean anything until a rookie actually produces in the NFL and the early signs for Harris are extremely exciting. The Athletic's Daniel Popper dropped his takeaways from his boots-on-the-ground coverage at OTAs, and had nothing but great things to say about Harris.
"Tre Harris showed up at a couple of different points in the practice. In the first period, he ran a smooth out route to the right side, created separation and hauled in a completion from Herbert," Popper wrote. "Harris caught a pass from Heinicke on a go route down the right sideline. The throw was into traffic, and this would have been a fun play to watch in a higher-tempo practice. Rookie safety RJ Mickens made a good read from the deep half and was in position to play the ball. Harris has some ability in contested-catch situations. We will have to wait until training camp to see that come fully to life."
Tre Harris is already turning heads at Chargers OTAs
This goes hand-in-hand with what Chargers fans saw in tape after the team drafted him in the second round. The most exciting part about Harris' game is his size and ability to make plays in traffic. That is something you can't teach, and is something that is extremely valuable in the NFL.
Receivers who primarily use athleticism to succeed against lesser college defenses don't always have the easiest transition to the NFL. Just look at Quentin Johnston, who was stellar for TCU but has exacerbated his flaws in the NFL.
You can't succeed with just athleticism in the NFL. Obviously is a great thing to have, but skill always reins supreme. One of the most important skills for a wideout to have is making contested catches and Harris was one of the best in the draft in that regard.
This tees Harris up to be the Chargers' primary X receiver in his rookie year. The great thing for Harris is that there won't be too high of expectations on him, either. By also bringing back Mike Williams, the Chargers gave themselves another X receiver to avoid putting too much on Harris' plate.
This also opens the door for Harris to play Z receiver in certain sets, which is absolutely doable with his skillset. Depending on the matchup and situation, the Chargers could trot out McConkey in the slot with Williams and Harris outside. This would give Justin Herbert two reliable targets with sure hands to throw to on the perimeter.
If Harris is already turning heads on OTAs just wait until he can actually go full speed against fellow NFL competition. Odds are we will be writing a near-identical piece about the rookie wideout come training camp.