What does the future hold for LA Rams TE/WR Jacob Harris?

If you had to pin one of the keys that most attracted the LA Rams to hire offensive coordinator Liam Coen, what might that be? Well, this is a quiz that you pass with flying colors because we have the answers already summed up for you.

In fact, sit up and grab a second cup of morning coffee, or a second slice of dessert, because you can walk away from this article with the knowledge that Coen brings a set of valued and critical expertise that will prove vital to the LA Rams in 2022 and going forward.

The LA Rams seemed to stall a bit in 2021 in the team’s development of younger players. Not just rookies, but in the further progression of some second-year players as well. One of the early ‘To Do’s that will be sitting in new offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s inbox will be to get that player development back on track.

One of the key players who need to generate some progress in 2022 is their tight end – or is it wide receiver? – Jacob Harris. And J.B. Long did an excellent job of leading Coen into elaborating how he envisions using Harris in the 2022 offense.

Tight end talk

The discussion about Jacob Harris seemed to turn the tone of his performance back to the original tight end role of the “Is he a tight end or is he a wide receiver?” debate that remained unsettled with his rookie season. Talking about mismatches with linebackers and safeties is more aligned with a tight end, rather than a wide receiver, role in the Rams offense.

Listen for yourself and see if you agree. To hone in on the discussion about Jacob Harris, you’ll want to spin the podcast ahead to the 13:04 mark of the podcast below.

J.B. Long: “How do you bring Jacob Harris into the fold, coming off an injury, of his own? “

The LA Rams’ new offensive coordinator is already eager to work with Harris, and had this to say:

"“Jacob Harris, I’ve seen a lot of clips of him. I was actually sent some film from here on a camera about how dynamic he was in the off-season last year. His movement skills, his ability to stretch the field. He can absolutely be a matchup problem on some linebackers and safeties that way. Again, it’s just about his health and really trying to dive into his development both on and off the field this offseason.” – per Liam Coen as interviewed in Rams Revealed podcast Episode 82"

So what does this mean?

Player development emphasis in 2022

In his response, it seems as though Coen is indeed envisioning Harris in a pass-catching tight end role. His referencing to the on- and off-field development suggests that Coen is concerned about his preparedness to assume a larger role in the team’s offense. But perhaps most of all, Coen is authentically excited about the young man’s potential.

We are rather optimistic over Harris’ potential with the team in 2022. The young man, though raw, made significant progress in his rookie season and felt as though he was closing in on earning a rotational, perhaps niche, role on the offense. He did have 15 offensive snaps in 2021, mainly as part of the offensive packages sent onto the field to mop up several games that were blowouts by the fourth quarter.

Coen was heavily involved in aiding the team’s younger players to develop in his previous coaching assignments with the team. It’s no small coincidence that he has returned to fill the role of offensive coordinator now. The Rams invested multiple-draft picks in young offensive players in both 2020 and 2021, and want to realize a return on that investment this year.

I am pleased with what Liam Coen says in this interview and look forward to how he can help to shape the offense and young players’ careers, going forward.