The befuddling belief in LA Rams newest tight end Jacob Harris
In LA Rams News: There is a growing and befuddling belief that LA Rams rookie TE Jacob Harris can help the Rams score. Well, because he can.
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The befuddling belief in LA Rams newest tight end Jacob Harris
The LA Rams have built a roster around going top shelf for stars, and bottom shelf for bargains. Even though the team has a fair share of the middle shelf talent, capable starting players who can deliver quality starts, but whose names never enter Pro Bowl discussion, it’s the extremes that command the headlines of Los Angeles.The luster of an NFL elite player can be addictive and mesmerizing. It creates an effect on the rest of the squad of elevating their play and perhaps giving teammates the chance to produce at the highest level of their careers. We cite that aura of positive influence on the LA Rams as the Aaron Donald effect. So when it comes down to evaluating talent, for many players who could be considered for a role with the team, it’s not based on their virtues alone, but how well that person might play in the company of AD.
And that’s not fair to either player. But it’s so tempting to do.
Now the LA Rams have added new veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, and before he has thrown one regulating NFL pass for the LA Rams, the temptation to apply that same effect upon the receivers in the room is equally as tempting. Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee, and even Van Jefferson could enjoy career-high seasons. Then again, they may not. It’s tough to say, simply because we can’t truly know how well Stafford will play in HC Sean McVay’s offense.
But the coaches are hinting so far. Players’ jaws are dropping. Post-practice interviews seem to have a skip to them. The offense has been reportedly ‘holding their own.’ against the defense this year in training camp. All positives chunks of coal to throw into the preseason furnace. All bits of fuel to burn the optimism white-hot for this season. All bits of data to digest, analyze, and theorize about the 2021 NFL season.
Sky’s the limit skyscraper
Complicating all of that is the matter of a young man with the sky-is-the-limit potential but incredibly light football experience in the form of 6-foot-5 219-pound tight end Jacob Harris. He can make plays that flash All-Pro potential. Then, just as suddenly, he can appear to be a guy who truly won’t make the roster. The challenge right now is that he is neither, and yet he is both.
View: https://twitter.com/ramsnfl/status/1428040346798235654?s=21
Let’s back it up a moment.
The young man who was drafted by the LA Rams with the 141st pick of the 2021 NFL Draft was chosen a bit higher than his fifth-round grande. But he is a very tall, fast, and athletic target out of the University of Central Florida (UCF) who walked onto the football team in 2017. He was a special teams ace in 2018 and finally latched on as a bona fide offensive weapon in 2019. He further flexed his muscle on offense in 2020 before entering the 2021 NFL Draft.
Due to his size, strength, power, and athleticism, it is hard to tell how much of Harris’ sudden success has to do with his football acumen, and how much is simply due to the fact that he was so much bigger stronger, and faster than the competition in college football. That disparity of his talent to that of the competition will narrow considerably in the NFL. Still, the Rams coaching staff, and in particular, Coach McVay believes in Harris’ ability to achieve his full NFL potential.
He is already appearing to be leaning towards a successful NFL career, albeit it is far too early to conclude it is a sure thing. But he is starting to look the part of an NFL receiver (although his tight end blocking skills are nothing to cheer about just yet.). He was targeted seven times against the LA Chargers (even during the time when they played starters on defense). He caught four passes for 43 yards, enough to lead the receivers on the day.
Rams’ red zone O can really shine with Harris
Hey, he’s inexperienced. He’s raw. And he’s young. All of that combined comes to one conclusion. He will get better. How much better is up to each of us to decide. Then, it will be up to him and the LA Rams to deliver. How quickly depends on a number of factors.
One element that is certainly necessary and is very present is opportunity. With the departure of Gerald Everett to free agency, and the disappointing production of Brycen Hopkins so far, the LA Rams need someone to rise through the ranks at the tight end position. And with Jacob Harris, the coaching staff finds itself with a lump of NFL quality clay that they can shape and mold however they see fit. Reports from McVay suggest that Harris is incredibly adept and quick at absorbing and learning the Rams role for him.
Eventually, he will need to demonstrate all of that acquired knowledge, and the LA Rams already have the spot reserved for him. The coaches want to add some oomph to the red zone offense, and with running back Cam Akers going down, it will likely need to come from the passing game. Due to the lack of maneuverability, the offense will need to place taller targets into the mix, as well as players who can win contested catches. Harris will do nicely in both categories when he fully develops.
And there’s the rub. The if’s and buts. Jacob Harris is not fully developed. From what we’ve seen in the past, the cards are stacked against Harris to get many snaps in this offense this year. He’s a rookie. He’s very raw. And he is learning a brand new position. But then there is the flip side.
He can be deadly effective as a target in the red zone. Even if he is not a primary target, his presence on the football field will force coverage his way. Besides, will the Matthew-Stafford-Effect buoy his production? Well, wait a darned minute. We said we wouldn’t consider Matthew Stafford in judging Harris’ potential in the Rams’ offense this year. But it’s nearly impossible not to. They have the potential to become a high-scoring tandem this season. So until they prove that they aren’t, why not just go with it for now?
