Chargers rookie taking advantage, forming quick connection with Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers second-round rookie Tre Harris commanded the headlines at the start of training camp over his brief holdout.

In the interim, fifth-round rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith took advantage.

Viewed as something of a project out of Auburn, the speedy Z receiver developed a quick connection with quarterback Justin Herbert on the first day of camp.

So much so, Lambert-Smith caught a touchdown from Herbert in seven-on-seven work and received multiple targets overall during the course of the day.

Granted, it’s early training camp and guys like Jalen Reagor looked good while a star such as Ladd McConkey appeared to have a quiet day.

Even so, the Chargers will take any positive wideout developments they can get after the Harris holdout and the sudden retirement of Mike Williams. If Lambert-Smith is ahead of schedule compared to expectations, that makes things all the more interesting before the first preseason game at the end of the month.

And if Lambert-Smith can carve out even a niche role in the offense for himself as a sort of deep threat and/or gadget guy, that’s nice value for the Chargers right away from a fifth-round pick (which would be similar to the value earned from cornerbacks taken in that round last year).

Again, it’s early. But if Lambert-Smith can emerge and Harris can match some of the hype in the formations alongside McConkey, the weapons around Herbert should technically be upgraded compared to last year.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert — Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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