Why Brycen Hopkins can’t be overlooked

[Merlin]

Yeah early on I wasn't sure if Harris was all hype. You have that sense of caution with the hype, I mean I recall Tavon being talked up in camp that first year. So you can get that effect where even players and coaches convince themselves a guy is better than he is, where they're wowed by athleticism and speed but it won't necessarily translate to games. We saw it last year with Jefferson, he was getting hype and even attention from Ramsey in camp but he wasn't quite strong enough in his grasp of the scheme to do much until down the stretch when the light came on for him.

But this guy Harris is for real. Rams didn't hit on him as a fourth rounder they hit on a lottery pick. He is going to be a difference maker. He is going to get better and better as that lanky frame fills out. And he's already a guy who stood out first preseason game so this isn't some guy who is all athlete. In fact teams already know it man. I have no doubt the Raiders LBs are looking at his tape right now and shaking their heads. This is the kind of weapon who an ILB has zero shot to cover. He's gonna get BBQ'd it's that type of mismatch.

Where it really gets crazy with him, too, is imagining Stafford throwing the ball to him. Because Stafford loves putting up those contested type throws. I think Harris is a guy who will feed off of that. It's going to make him better and increase his impact in this offense. So I've gone from thinking redzone with this guy to thinking a straight 30% or maybe more of snaps. I don't think he's gonna put up 1k but he could easily end up in the usual range our TEs finish, in that 500-700 range without breaking a sweat. My guess is he'll be around 800 yards with some TDs as a rook, which is to say he'll be an upgrade over what Everett was in his rookie season. That's some rarefied TE air if it happens my friends.

 

[thirteen28]

Where it really gets crazy with him, too, is imagining Stafford throwing the ball to him. Because Stafford loves putting up those contested type throws.

I really do want to imagine that, so I'd like to imagine McVay putting Harris in street clothes for the next two preseason games.

 

[FarNorth]

Yeah early on I wasn't sure if Harris was all hype. You have that sense of caution with the hype, I mean I recall Tavon being talked up in camp that first year. So you can get that effect where even players and coaches convince themselves a guy is better than he is, where they're wowed by athleticism and speed but it won't necessarily translate to games. We saw it last year with Jefferson, he was getting hype and even attention from Ramsey in camp but he wasn't quite strong enough in his grasp of the scheme to do much until down the stretch when the light came on for him.

But this guy Harris is for real. Rams didn't hit on him as a fourth rounder they hit on a lottery pick. He is going to be a difference maker. He is going to get better and better as that lanky frame fills out. And he's already a guy who stood out first preseason game so this isn't some guy who is all athlete. In fact teams already know it man. I have no doubt the Raiders LBs are looking at his tape right now and shaking their heads. This is the kind of weapon who an ILB has zero shot to cover. He's gonna get BBQ'd it's that type of mismatch.

Where it really gets crazy with him, too, is imagining Stafford throwing the ball to him. Because Stafford loves putting up those contested type throws. I think Harris is a guy who will feed off of that. It's going to make him better and increase his impact in this offense. So I've gone from thinking redzone with this guy to thinking a straight 30% or maybe more of snaps. I don't think he's gonna put up 1k but he could easily end up in the usual range our TEs finish, in that 500-700 range without breaking a sweat. My guess is he'll be around 800 yards with some TDs as a rook, which is to say he'll be an upgrade over what Everett was in his rookie season. That's some rarefied TE air if it happens my friends.

Now you're drinking the Kool-Aid on Harris!!! But so am I. Have been since I first saw how incredibly well he physically adjusts to the ball. Agree with your comments and think your predictions are very realistic.

I see Harris as a one on one mismatch down the field, on the sideline, and in the red zone. Even over the middle. All he needs is a decent pass thrown to the right area in his very large catch radius. Not too hard to draw up routes for someone with his size, tracking and catching ability. Other stuff will follow but this will get him on the field right now. Oh, and did I mention speed?

My theory is that guys who have exceptional ability pretty much have it, and show it, from the start. That's what Harris is doing right now.

I look for Harris to continue to flash and to play a significant role in the offense for the Rams.

 

[dieterbrock]

At this point Higbee, Mundt, and Harris all seem locks to make the roster. Really doubt we keep 4 TEs so my guess is we try to stash Hopkins on the PS or cut him.

Blanton will likely get a shot at a 4th TE spot as well, I imagine we'll see him game #2.
Not to nitpick, but they have to cut Hopkins in order to put him on the PS

 

[Mojo Ram]

Everett was a nice pick? I dunno about that. Folks will quickly point to his game winner against KC in the greatest reg season game ever, but I recall 4 years of unfulfilled promise. Missed blocks, disappearing from games and general unenthusiastic play is what I think of.
Harris flashing is exactly what we thought we'd get from Hopkins. Sure hope he continues to grow!

Yeah, i disagree w/the sentiment on this board regarding Everett's time here. They can't all be pro bowlers. IMO he was let go because the cost was too high but we can argue that till the end of time and it doesn't matter now.

I like production, especially in a reserve role. He didn't do enough to beat out Higbee or Higs would be gone and Everett would still be here. Numbers never tell the whole story but if we are talking about numbers i don't see a whole lot to complain about. If Everett didn't do enough as a TE2 then surely Higs didn't do enough as the starter. Right? And i liked Higs too.

 

[CGI_Ram]

This is the kind of weapon who an ILB has zero shot to cover. He's gonna get BBQ'd it's that type of mismatch.

Your whole post fired me up. The potential mismatch is insane.

Harris needs to keep working. He has a lot of polishing to do.

 

[MachS]

@Merlin Yea its pretty weird tbh he was there in the 4th. When you think about it, 6'5 receiving weapons that run 4.39 usually go 1st round or early in drafts. Unless they have a huge hole in their game like bad hands or poor route running. But everything you see from Harris says these parts of his game aren't weak at all. His hands seem fantastic, his body control is elite on jump balls/back shoulder throws. And his route running seems pretty good even though it may be the weakest part of his game. That 20 yrd reception he caught in the game, that was a nasty route. He shook that LB hard, and showed good run after the catch. Granted he needs to hold onto the ball b/c he fumbled on that play but it was still very impressive.

The only thing I can guess is because he was a soccer player all of his life and only played college FB for two years, there just wasnt much tape or scouting on him? Maybe teams didn't want to take the risk? But damn does it look like we got a steal. And we're fucking due for one, I still can't believe the Niners got Kittle in the 5th round. That shit pisses me off so much.

 

[CoachAllred]

Yeah early on I wasn't sure if Harris was all hype. You have that sense of caution with the hype, I mean I recall Tavon being talked up in camp that first year.

I think the Tavon Hype was Fisher trying to sell people on taking him in the first round.
Jefferson was hyped as having a high Football IQ and sweet route runner. But with our WR corp there was just not enough balls.
This year he may run into the same number game a bit, but I expect him to see more opportunities and he will maximize every single
chance he gets.

But this guy Harris is for real. Rams didn't hit on him as a fourth rounder they hit on a lottery pick. He is going to be a difference maker. He is going to get better and better as that lanky frame fills out.

Harris is a different animal all together, when rookies shine in camp you get a feeling of
"oh yea" this guy is going to help this team soon.

When I watch Harris it's a different feeling. You already know he will contribute soon, But with Harris i get a little
scared to say too much, because I am afraid to say publicly what I think his ceiling may be. So I continue trying not to get too excited
but, This one could be scary good.