Receiver Tre Harris was a Heartbreaker on 2023 Game Film

It was a tale of two seasons for Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris in 2023. I can say that because I studied every snap he took during that season.

What do I mean by that?

The second half of the season was better than the first half of the season despite catching four touchdowns in the opener against Mercer.

Harris is one of the toughest evaluations I’ve done. Receivers in general are the toughest position to project in the NFL Draft to begin with in my opinion. That’s because their success is 100% dependent on the quarterback (QB) room they draw at the next level. In other words, college receivers who end up on the Kansas City Chiefs with quarterback (QB) Patrick Mahomes throwing them the ball have a distinct advantage over receivers who end up with a low-ranked NFL QB.

The thing that scares me most about Harris is the inconsistency. That word is the kiss of death in the NFL. He’s a prospect who could make a dynamic highlight tape that would have NFL teams running his name up to the Commissioner on draft day, but that’s not a true representation of his full body of work. That is the advantage of taking the time to evaluate ALL of his performances.

What did he look like on game film?

Harris has good size and two other things going for him:

1. He consistently was able to initially gain route leverage (positional advantage against the cornerbacks who were covering him).
2. He can make these quick little moves that serve him well in the short-to-intermediate route levels (0-19 yards) both creating slight throwing windows and picking up yardage after the catch (YAC).

He’s not a YAC merchant, but he did show some ability in that department.

Harris mostly worked in the short-to-intermediate route levels but also showed some ability to stretch the field and get a step on a corner deep.

AND THEN HE GOES OFF AND DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS

So what’s the problem(s)?

For starters, Harris showed unreliable hands ⎯and the No. 1 job of a receiver is to catch the ball.

I’m not making this stuff up, the stats confirm the film.

2023: 54 catches on 93 targets (58% catch rate)

Harris was inconsistent:

• Gaining separation downfield due to average playing speed
• Making catches on contested passes when tightly covered by a cornerback
• Adjusting back to the ball

CHECK OUT THE BOBBLED CATCH

What will he need in the NFL?

An accurate QB. Harris will need a QB who is capable of great downfield ball placement.

That’s when he seemed to be at his best. Granted, at times he looked like an ‘all-world’ receiver making some crazy acrobatic catches.

However, he came up empty-handed at other times in those same situations.

COULDN’T GET THIS ONE

At the end of the day…

I am walking away from Harris’ game film not sold on him.

He feels like one of these receivers who will be a source of great frustration for an NFL organization.

What should a team do as a result?

Mitigate the risk.

#9 Tre Harris 6-foot-3, 210 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Fall Grade: Third-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 13.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 13, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: Mercer, Tulane, LSU, Arkansas, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Georgia, UL-Monroe, Mississippi State, and Penn State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Smooth methodical long strider with a muscular built frame. Undisciplined route runner. Doesn’t always end up at the spot of the throw. Good natural reach with long arms. Pre-snap versatility to line up out wide or inside. Can drive off corners. Understands the art of route leverage. Gives quick little moves. Somewhat shifty. Good at selling stop-and-go. Decent change of direction at route break points. Above average catch radius. Finds the soft spots in zone coverage. Subject to getting passes broken up in his matchups. Solid run blocker.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. How does his route running look?

2. Catch rate?

3. Defenders getting a lot of pass breakups working against him?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.