The biggest debate centered around the LA Chargers in the 2024 NFL Draft was whether the team should take wide receiver Malik Nabers or offensive tackle Joe Alt with the No. 5 pick. Los Angeles ultimately took Alt, and while it was polarizing at the time, it ended up being the right call.
While the Chargers didn't draft Nabers in 2024, the team is getting some of the Nabers' rub from its 2025 draft class. The Chargers drafted Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris with the No. 55 pick and while he does not have the same ceiling as Nabers, he has a direct connection to the New York Giants wideout.
Harris and Nabers went to high school together, where the latter was a mentor for the former, as outlined by The Athletic's Dane Brugler.
Love this nugget on Tre Harris from @dpbrugler in The Beast:
— Chris Hayre (@chrishayre) April 26, 2025
“Harris attended Ovey Comeaux High in Lafayette, where he was teammates with Malik Nabers (Harris was “like a brother” and “mentor” for Nabers).”
Malik Nabers was a mentor for Chargers WR Tre Harris
Nabers had a direct impact on Harris, who now finds himself on the team that many thought Nabers would play for. This is a full circle moment for Chargers fans, who get to have their cake and eat it too.
Don't get it twisted, Chargers fans should not expect Nabers-level production out of Harris. Nabers was a bona fide franchise wideout who went early in the first round; Harris is a second-round prospect who is talented but does not have that same franchise WR upside.
That being said, the trifecta of Alt, Ladd McConkey and Harris altogether is far more impactful than just Nabers alone. The Chargers did an excellent job of keeping the bigger picture in mind with the No. 5 overall pick and that has led to the current roster construction.
So, what should Chargers fans expect out of Harris? In a perfect world, Harris would develop into an over-qualified WR2 who serves as a reliable X receiver. Barring an unforeseen development, Harris probably doesn't have the makings of being a true WR1 and that is totally okay. Not every receiver can be a No. 1 option.
Schematically, it is hard to find a better fit for the Chargers considering the circumstances. The Chargers had no consistent production from their X receivers a year ago and should solve that problem in the short and long term with Harris.
He may not be Malik Nabers, but the Chargers are undoubtedly in a better position overall with someone who Nabers had an impact on instead of taking Nabers himself.