The Washington Redskins added a couple of wide receivers in the 2019 NFL Draft with the hopes they can contribute as rookies. Kelvin Harmon has the potential to do so early on.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected two wide receivers. The first one, third-round selection Terry McLaurin, has generated a lot of hype, and rightfully so. He has elite speed, big-play ability, and can play special teams. He was also Dwayne Haskins teammate at Ohio State, so there’s the natural connection as well.
But, what if I told you sixth-round selection Kelvin Harmon is in a position to be a key contributor early on in his career as well. Harmon had a great career at North Carolina State as he finished with 177 receptions for 2,665 yards and 16 touchdowns in three years there. And, he got better every season.
Harmon had some good numbers at the NFL combine. He did 18 reps on the bench press, had a broad jump of 117 inches, and logged a 32.5 inch vertical. But, the one number that stood out the most was the 4.6 40-yard dash. Even though he had the tape and the athletic traits to be a day two selection, he fell to the sixth round because of the slow 40. But things always happen for a reason, and for the Redskins, they may have gotten the steal of the draft.
Redskins training camp offers Harmon the first opportunity to show his critics why they were so wrong about him and the chance to start making a name for himself among the Redskins faithful. If you haven’t heard of Harmon, by the end of training camp, hopefully, you will.
Kelvin Harmon’s 2018 season
A junior with the NC State Wolfpack last year, Harmon had a very productive season playing in Dave Doernen’s offense. Catching passes from fellow draftee Ryan Finley, he helped lead them to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the Gator Bowl.
On the season, he had 81 receptions for 1186 yards and seven touchdowns, as he continued to show his growth as a receiver. Harmon didn’t start playing football until he was 13, which just goes to show how much untapped potential he still has.
Never a burner, Harmon still was able to beat a lot of the cornerbacks who were covering him because he is one those players that has game speed. The cornerbacks he couldn’t get by with his speed he managed to beat with his excellent ball skills.
He averaged 14.6 yards per catch on the season, a more-than-respectable number. Harmon showed the ability to make tough, contested catches, which routinely helped the Wolfpack move the chains.
What Kelvin Harmon needs to show at Redskins camp
Going into Redskins training camp, there are a few things that Harmon must show as he looks to make an early impression as a rookie. Harmon got better every year he was at NC State, he must continue to show growth.
The biggest thing that Harmon is going to have to show at Redskins camp is that he can separate consistently at this level. That was the reason that he fell to the sixth round. Teams were worried about his ability to create separation, especially when getting pressed at the line of scrimmage. Harmon does a lot of things well, but he’s going to have to show that he can separate consistently at the next level if he is going to play.
Another thing that Harmon is going have to continue to show is his ability to make tough catches. This is one skill Harmon does have that will translate well at the next level. He is an outstanding possession receiver, and I’ve seen him draw comparisons to Anquan Boldin or Alson Jeffery, both excellent comparisons. Boldin had a great NFL career and always seemed to make a contested-catch when his team needed him to. Jeffery has had a good career up to this point as we well.
Being a possession receiver is not a bad thing, and Harmon should have no shame taking on the role as one. A lot of receivers still struggle to make contested catches at this level because it is a tough skill to master. Harmon must prove that he can be a reliable, go-to target in the redzone or on third down because the Redskins did not have that last year.
Who Kelvin Harmon’s main competition at Redskins Training Camp
Heading into camp, Harmon appears to be a near-lock to make the roster as he was just selected this April. The battle among the wide receivers is arguably going to be the most exciting one to watch at camp, and very competitive.
Harmon’s main competition for playing time early on is going to be Josh Doctson. When the Redskins used the 22nd overall pick on Doctson in 2016, they thought he was going to be a legit redzone threat who could win 50-50 balls because of his high point ability and jumping skills. That has not been the case with Doctson, and the team declined to pick up his fifth-year option.
If Harmon can provide the Redskins with what Doctson could not, expect him to start him seeing the field in a more expanded role. Cam Sims is another big-bodied receiver who looked great in OTAs and is looking to break out this year as he challenges for playing time.
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I’ve heard some ‘Skins fans talk about wanting to put Harmon in the slot because of his size and his ability to block in the running game. It would also help Harmon, as he struggled as times with press coverage, to get a better release at the line of scrimmage.
Harmon, though, will have a tough time taking reps away from Trey Quinn, who appears ready for a breakout season as well. Coaches are always looking for ways to exploit mismatches and get their playmakers the ball, and this just another way to potentially get Harmon involved in the offense in 2019.
Kelvin Harmon’s outlook for the Redskins 2019 season
In the coming 2019 season, Harmon is going to have a chance to compete for playing time early on. He, like all players, must show that he deserves to be on the field. If he can find a way to carve out a role as a possession receiver or redzone target, he will find a way to get on the field.
However, if he shows the worries about him in the draft were warranted and struggles to create separation, then he will not be on the field much, and 2019 can be a developmental year.
Wide receiver is one position in football where it is tough to make an immediate impact as a rookie. But, the Redskins are not asking him to step in and be the next Julio Jones. For Harmon, his rookie year is going to be more about development than production. Getting used to the speed and physicality of the NFL is a process, and one that takes time for a lot of receivers.
If Harmon can put up stats similar to what Josh Doctson did in 2017 (we’ll call that his rookie year since he only played in two games and had two receptions his rookie year) and finish with somewhere around 35 receptions for 500 yards and a couple of touchdowns (Doctson had six), that will be an outstanding rookie season for him and one that he can definitely build upon going forward.