Chargers' Tre Harris pick doesn't end the Keenan Allen dream

The LA Chargers addressed a major roster need in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris with the No. 55 pick. Justin Herbert has a new boundary weapon who has all the makings to produce as the team's primary X receiver in 2025 and beyond.

The Chargers' wide receiver room is much deeper with Harris than it was without him, potentially impacting the team's future plans. With Harris now on the roster, many believe that a Keenan Allen homecoming — which seemed inevitable — is no longer a possibility.

Anything is possible in the NFL and there is plenty of room for Allen to come home to the Chargers. In fact, the roadmap for bringing Allen back is potentially even clearer with Harris on the roster.

Chargers' Keenan Allen reunion is still possible after Tre Harris selection

Harris will most likely spend most of his time as the X receiver on the boundary. The Chargers got virtually no production out of their X receivers last season, which is why taking Harris was such a necessity for the Bolts.

With Harris primarily being a weapon in the short and long areas, it leaves the door open for Allen to play the Z and attack the intermediate areas. Ladd McConkey also has the versatility to play outside, giving the Chargers two chess pieces to move around the offensive sets to switch up their looks.

Mike Williams can serve as the backup X receiver who splits time with Harris. Harris and Williams should probably split time close to 50/50 as it allows the veteran Williams to stay fresh and doesn't put too much on the rookie's plate.

Quentin Johnston, meanwhile, gets buried if Allen is signed and that is perfectly okay. Johnston has been inconsistent and has not shown the necessary growth through two seasons. There is no reason to force-feed him playing time if he is not earning it.

This is the deep wide receiver room Justin Herbert deserves. There is no such thing as having too many weapons and the idea of Allen restricting the growth of the young wideouts is silly. If anything, he and Williams would actively set up McConkey and Harris for better long-term success.

Allen has made it clear he only wants to play in Los Angeles or Chicago, leaving the Chargers as the only possible landing spot for the veteran. With that desire known, it is fair to say the Chargers can get an extreme discount on Allen, which is the entire reason why this homecoming makes so much sense.

If Allen doesn't return to the Chargers it won't be because of Harris, it will be because of external factors (perhaps on Allen's side). Just because the team picked Harris does not mean the Allen dream is dead.