What Kind of Impact Will Rookie Tight End Jacob Harris Have For The Rams?

What Kind Of Impact Will Rookie Tight End Jacob Harris Have For The Rams? - LAFB Network

The 2021 draft was an interesting play for Snead and the Rams, who brought in a WR in the second round and tight end Jacob Harris in the 4th.

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What Kind of Impact Will Rookie Tight End Jacob Harris Have For The Rams?​

The 2021 draft was an interesting play for Les Snead and the Rams, who brought in a receiver in the second round and tight end out of UCF Jacob Harris in the fourth.

With Tyler Higbee now leading the tight end position for the Los Angeles Rams, rookie Jacob Harris walks in with impressive speed to add versatility to the position after losing a key component in the offseason.

Harris’ likelihood as an X-factor for this offense in just his rookie year is a long shot. McVay and the coaching staff are more likely to lean into rookie Tutu Atwell’s inclusion in the offense. With a shell of DeSean Jackson left and 29-year-old Robert Woods on his slight decline, Atwell will be primed to be a primary target for Stafford and the Rams going forward. With sophomore receiver Van Jefferson also a concurrent development at receiver to add in this arsenal.

Jacob Harris walks in at a VERY light frame for an NFL tight end, weighing 218 pounds which puts him in the Julio Jones, Davante Adams spectrum of bulk. For reference, Everett and Higbee are both in the 240s.

While Harris’ weight leaves some qualities to be desired, the tight end has amassed a reputation for displaying freakish athletic talent. Some fans wonder if the tight end physical attributes would allow him to split off as a receiver after flashing a 4.39 40-time and 40.5-inch vertical.

The team previously utilized a tandem of Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee to make for one of the best duos in football. After losing Everett to the Seattle Seahawks, Higbee will take on the bulk of receiving for McVay’s 12 personnel, two-tight end packages.

In the two last two seasons with the Rams, Higbee has amassed 1,255 yards and eight touchdowns. According to PFF, Higbee was the 18th best player for the position. With Stafford’s addition to the offense after two lukewarm years from Goff, Higbee’s potential as a low end-TE1 is only getting higher.

What Harris presents in terms of potential for the Rams offense is a prospect. Or project, as many analysts dub players with a surplus in either physical or mental attributes, an uneven teetering rather than balance. Harris presents upside due to his physical abilities, but his limitations with dropping catches and no potential for blocking leave him as a darkhorse for the Rams’ offense should he see time on the field over Johnny Mundt or Brycen Hopkins.

The good news remains that the locker room will welcome a physical beast of a player, with a good determination to start winning now — pretty on point with the Rams’ mission this upcoming season.

 

[PARAM]

IDK, Harris will be a stud on special teams so that's why IMO, he won't be boom or bust, but as to a complete TE, you could be right on point.

Absolutely. Primary gunner in year 1, maybe a gadget since he'll dress. Motion TE in some sets? Could have a huge impact as a gunner like Reynolds.

 

[FarNorth]

Probably but that doesn't mean they'll necessarily end up there.

A 219 lb tight end in Harris?

Maybe a move TE, but they even split Gerald Everett out there sometimes.

He's certainly a tweener at best that could be split out and not an inline type.

And of course he was listed as a wide receiver at Notre Dame and that's what he played.

If they want to try to convert him they're also going to have to add 20 pounds to his frame.

He's a wide receiver at the moment and could end up that way.

I haven't heard any information on where he was lining up in OTAs.

Skowronek, if they want him as a game-day active for special teams, will probably have some plays setup for him as well.

Not sure what's wrong with 219 pounds and 4.39 whether you call him a receiver or a tight end. I'm sure he can bulk up over time and hopefully without losing speed but if I were the Rams I would be a bit careful with that. He's already big enough that he should be able to block. To me the speed is more important than just more bulk.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Probably but that doesn't mean they'll necessarily end up there.

A 219 lb tight end in Harris?

Maybe a move TE, but they even split Gerald Everett out there sometimes.

He's certainly a tweener at best that could be split out and not an inline type.

And of course he was listed as a wide receiver at Notre Dame and that's what he played.

If they want to try to convert him they're also going to have to add 20 pounds to his frame.

He's a wide receiver at the moment and could end up that way.

I haven't heard any information on where he was lining up in OTAs.

Skowronek, if they want him as a game-day active for special teams, will probably have some plays setup for him as well.

Not sure what's wrong with 219 pounds and 4.39 whether you call him a receiver or a tight end. I'm sure he can bulk up over time and hopefully without losing speed but if I were the Rams I would be a bit careful with that. He's already big enough that he should be able to block. To me the speed is more important than just more bulk.

He’s got a big frame. Harris is on left. Adding a little weight won’t be a problem.

He looks as big as anyone we drafted.

 

[badnews]

He’s got a big frame. Harris is on left. Adding a little weight won’t be a problem.

He looks as big as anyone we drafted.

View attachment 45697

Exactly. Those shoulders don't look like they belong to a guy under 220lbs. They also don't look like the shoulders you would find on a guy who can run under a 4.4 forty either.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Not sure what's wrong with 219 pounds and 4.39 whether you call him a receiver or a tight end. I'm sure he can bulk up over time and hopefully without losing speed but if I were the Rams I would be a bit careful with that. He's already big enough that he should be able to block. To me the speed is more important than just more bulk.

Exactly.
I'm not promoting Harris bulking up as I would rather have the speed as well.

I just don't think he would be very effective is an inline TE and obviously he was a wide receiver at Notre Dame.

How Matt Stafford used Calvin Johnson around the goal line is what I would like to see them do with Jacob Harris.

That might be the whole goal here of McVay.
Draft a wide receiver and call him a tight end and use him outside and in the slot.

The photo posted of Harris going up against one of our DBs in OTAs kind of gives you an idea of what might happen if he's lined up outside or up against a slot cornerback.

 

[Soul Surfer]

View attachment 45697

Bobby Brown is so big they couldn't even fit him in the picture!

 

[nighttrain]

Not sure what's wrong with 219 pounds and 4.39 whether you call him a receiver or a tight end. I'm sure he can bulk up over time and hopefully without losing speed but if I were the Rams I would be a bit careful with that. He's already big enough that he should be able to block. To me the speed is more important than just more bulk.

keep as is pretty much, Awesome red zone weapon
train

 

[RamFan503]

And of course he was listed as a wide receiver at Notre Dame and that's what he played.

I just don't think he would be very effective is an inline TE and obviously he was a wide receiver at Notre Dame.

Harris was UCF. I think you're mixing him up with Skowronek.

 

[Rams43]

Probably the Rams are gonna think outside the box on Harris.

Meaning, aside from obviously using him extensively on ST, he’s a tall 4.39 receiver. If he can block a little, get open, and can hang onto Stafford’s passes then McVay will find ways to get him on the field. Won’t matter if they call him TE, WR, H-back or any other damned thing.

 

[Merlin]

Not sure what's wrong with 219 pounds and 4.39 whether you call him a receiver or a tight end. I'm sure he can bulk up over time and hopefully without losing speed but if I were the Rams I would be a bit careful with that. He's already big enough that he should be able to block. To me the speed is more important than just more bulk.

I suspect McVay agrees with you there. He's probably wanted a weapon from that move role for his entire duration here. Everett was his first pick. So hopefully he hits on this dude.

Probably the Rams are gonna think outside the box on Harris.

Meaning, aside from obviously using him extensively on ST, he’s a tall 4.39 receiver. If he can block a little, get open, and can hang onto Stafford’s passes then McVay will find ways to get him on the field. Won’t matter if they call him TE, WR, H-back or any other damned thing.

Yeah either way it's that last/slot role on the offense that determines whether it's 11 or 12. McVay will play the guy who gives him the matchups he wants. This insinuates we'll be seeing heavy 11 this year given the rawness of our TE options but if Harris is already up for teams it follows that maybe he starts getting worked in for redzone and certain down/distance situations.

OR maybe Hopkins is a revelation. Skeptical on that but who knows.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Harris was UCF. I think you're mixing him up with Skowronek.

Yeah, thanks man.

 

[SeminoleRam]

Probably the Rams are gonna think outside the box on Harris.

Meaning, aside from obviously using him extensively on ST, he’s a tall 4.39 receiver. If he can block a little, get open, and can hang onto Stafford’s passes then McVay will find ways to get him on the field. Won’t matter if they call him TE, WR, H-back or any other damned thing.

Totally Agree!!!

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

I actually think Jacob Harris becomes a big WR. With that speed and frame it makes more sense to maintain his speed rather than add size as a blocker. I'm hoping we see him line up wide or in the slot as a big WR this year.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Probably the Rams are gonna think outside the box on Harris.

Meaning, aside from obviously using him extensively on ST, he’s a tall 4.39 receiver. If he can block a little, get open, and can hang onto Stafford’s passes then McVay will find ways to get him on the field. Won’t matter if they call him TE, WR, H-back or any other damned thing.

I would love to see him wiping out defensive backs on run plays as well.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Harris was UCF. I think you're mixing him up with Skowronek.

Definitely mixing up the schools anyway.

 

[thirteen28]

Jacob Harris walks in at a VERY light frame for an NFL tight end, weighing 218 pounds which puts him in the Julio Jones, Davante Adams spectrum of bulk. For reference, Everett and Higbee are both in the 240s.

While Harris’ weight leaves some qualities to be desired, the tight end has amassed a reputation for displaying freakish athletic talent. Some fans wonder if the tight end physical attributes would allow him to split off as a receiver after flashing a 4.39 40-time and 40.5-inch vertical.

Pssst, Jacob ...

 

[Soul Surfer]

Pssst, Jacob ...

View attachment 45709

View attachment 45710

That's how he got to 219 pounds.

 

[thirteen28]

That's how he got to 219 pounds.

So you're saying he made good progress?

From the pics above, he definitely has the frame to handle more weight. That being said, others above have suggested maybe he can play with his current weight and be a big WR, and I'm honestly not opposed to that idea.

 

[PhillyRam]

Probably the Rams are gonna think outside the box on Harris.

Meaning, aside from obviously using him extensively on ST, he’s a tall 4.39 receiver. If he can block a little, get open, and can hang onto Stafford’s passes then McVay will find ways to get him on the field. Won’t matter if they call him TE, WR, H-back or any other damned thing.

Hey, if he can get to 230ish, and still run a 4.45, I will take that. Makes him more versatile and more physical to fight threw jams, block, win 50/50 balls, etc...

Plus, not many LBs will stick with a 6-5 guy running 4.45 anyway.

 

[MadGoat]

So you're saying he made good progress?

From the pics above, he definitely has the frame to handle more weight. That being said, others above have suggested maybe he can play with his current weight and be a big WR, and I'm honestly not opposed to that idea.

There's a whole group of these new TEs that aren't really able to block at the NFL level. I guess teams can call them whatever they want, but I'm not sure what benefit Mike Gesicki gets from weighing 250 lbs, for example. His lineup splits are almost identical to Kupp's and he isn't any better at blocking. I see Harris filling that same type of role, so maybe he only needs to bulk up to 230 and keep that speed. Call him a tight end or big slot, just don't ask him to put a hand in the dirt and push J.J Watt around.