National outlet puts NFL fans on notice of young Chargers player who’s set to break out in 2026
Los Angeles could see one of their 2025 draft picks take a big step forward this year.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ offense certainly made some big adjustments in the offseason. Necessary ones, given how the 2025 season came to a sputtering end in Foxboro in a lifeless 16-3 loss to the eventual AFC champion Patriots.
Mike McDaniel was brought in and should help generate more much-needed explosive plays. C Tyler Biadasz, TE Charlie Kolar, and FB Alec Ingold will help out with the running game.
However, it could be the progression from his rookie year to sophomore campaign that provides a notable spark for the Chargers next fall, at least according to one pundit.
CBS Sports NFL writer Tyler Sullivan identified a breakout candidate for the Chargers, and WR Tre Harris got the nod. Sullivan noted the number of targets that the since-departed Keenan Allen is leaving behind — 122, to be exact — and he noted that there aren’t many new options to soak them up, opening the door for Harris.
CBS Sports tabs WR Tre Harris as a breakout candidate in 2026
“One of the biggest beneficiaries in line for an increased target share could be second-year wideout Tre Harris, who turned heads at minicamp,” Sullivan wrote. “The 2025 second-round pick out of Ole Miss had a modest rookie campaign, catching 30 balls for 324 yards and a touchdown. At minicamp, Harris has noticeably put on more muscle.
“Harris has the profile of a second-year breakout candidate, and the fact that the Chargers did not target a wide receiver this offseason suggests they are confident in the players they have, including the 24-year-old.”
There’s certainly room for Harris to grow in 2026 from last year. Harris totaled 30 catches for 324 yards and a touchdown last year, which put him fifth or below on the team in catches and yards.
McDaniel’s usage of him will also be interesting as well, given what we’ve seen from the Dolphins’ head coach the last few years in South Florida. Brenen Thompson seems to fit McDaniel’s diminutive, blazing, gadget-role receiver, and, of course, WRs Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston are still positioned as the team’s top options.
But Jim Harbaugh said as much last week that he believes in Harris as an “elite” option. If so, we could see a three-headed monster at the wide receiver position for the Chargers in 2026.