Los Angeles Rams could have big time weapon in Jacob Harris

The Los Angeles Rams had, to say the least, a questionable 2021 NFL Draft. Drafting Tutu Atwell in the second round after signing DeSean Jackson was an odd decision. Despite the fit and what the Rams like at linebacker, Ernest Jones seemed a bit of a reach where he was drafted. The biggest issue with the draft, from fans and analysts alike, was the lack of drafting offensive line early. That approach leads one to believe that the Rams must be exceedingly confident in the group (and depth) they have.

In a class full of interesting selections, Central Florida wide receiver/tight end Jacob Harris might be the most intriguing. Listed at 6’5″ and 219 pounds at his pro day, Harris is the definition of a tall, long, strong receiver. He didn’t put up gaudy numbers in his last year at UCF, but caught eight touchdowns and averaged 18 yards per reception. He tested extremely well, running a 4.39u 40 and finding his jumps and 3-cone in the upper 90s in terms of percentiles.

There’s a lot that could be unlocked with Jacob Harris, and the Los Angeles Rams might have landed a very good contributor in the passing game.

From what’s been heard out of the offseason minicamps, it sounds like the Rams are going to move Harris to tight end. It’s going to be a major change for Harris, who lined up a lot in the slot at UCF. While he got some snaps in tight formations near the trenches, he wasn’t asked to to do any traditional inline blocking.

Knowing Sean McVay, who does a great job getting players into great spots to contribute, it’s highly unlikely he gets 1-on-1 reps against defensive ends. But, his prowess as a blocker in open space could help him with double teams and chips early on.

Then McVay can unleash him in formations that utilize his skill set. Using his excellent height/weight/speed combo, Harris will be a dangerous threat for the Rams. His speed can be beneficial with pre-snap motion and he likely will get the occasional handoff on that motion to use that straight line speed to the Rams’ advantage.

With Matt Stafford in as the new signal-caller, more vertical shot plays are likely to find their way into the game plan. Harris can use his frame and physicality to stack defensive backs and use his functional athleticism to win in the air, downfield, and in the red zone. Stafford will take chances with bigger-bodied receivers, and Harris is a great fit for that.

It’s going to be a competitive atmosphere for targets, and while expectations should be low for Harris in year one, especially transitioning to a new position, there’s no reason that he can’t make an impact day one. Then, in a long term scope, Harris could be a focal point in a fantastic Los Angeles Rams offense. There’s a lot to unlock with Harris’ potential, and the Rams are an excellent team to do just that.