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Isaiah Spiller Isaiah Spiller Could land RB2 role
Tue, May 10, 2022, 10:41 AM
Spiller profiles as the front-runner for the Chargers' No. 2 running back job behind starter Austin Ekeler, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: With last year's top backup Justin Jackson not having been re-signed, there's a path for Spiller to claim the No. 2 role behind Ekeler. To do so, Spiller will have to beat out both Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree, but that's a plausible outcome, given that the Texas A&M product -- who the Chargers list at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds -- supplements his physical and elusive running style with solid enough hands to contribute as a pass-catcher. As long as Ekeler remains healthy, Spiller -- who is bouncing back from strained adductor muscle -- may not see steady volume, but if he indeed slots in ahead of Kelley and Rountree, the 2022 fourth-rounder would be a candidate to see an uptick in fantasy value in the event that Ekeler misses time for any reason. |
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Donald Parham Donald Parham Agrees to contract tender
Tue, Apr 12, 2022, 4:23 PM
Parham has officially signed his exclusive rights free agent tender with the Chargers, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Analysis: As a result, Parham is set to return to the team for at least the 2022 season after agreeing to sign the contract tender extended to him in March. Looking ahead, the tight end -- who saw his receptions double from 10 in 2020 to 20 in 2021 -- will jostle for depth chart slotting behind former Seahawk Gerald Everett, who Los Angeles signed in April. Also currently in the mix at the position are Tre' McKitty and Hunter Kampmoyer. |
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Jalen Guyton Jalen Guyton Signs exclusive rights tender
Tue, Apr 12, 2022, 4:10 PM
Guyton officially signed his exclusive rights free agent tender Tuesday and will remain with the Chargers this coming season, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Guyton is thus slated to remain with the team for at least one more season after agreeing to sign the contract tender extended to him in March. The 24-year-old finished the 2021 campaign third among Los Angeles' wide receivers in terms of yardage (448), while logging 31 receptions (on 48 targets) and three touchdowns in 16 games. Beyond competing for reps behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in 2022, Guyton could also look to contribute in the return game, as the Chargers haven't re-signed last season's primary returner Andre Roberts. |
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DeAndre Carter DeAndre Carter Headed to LA
Thu, Apr 7, 2022, 10:07 PM
Carter signed with the Chargers on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Carter recorded a career-best 24 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns in 2021 as a member of the Washington Commanders. Now joining a wide receiver corps that already boasts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams among others, Carter isn't likely to improve upon -- or perhaps even repeat -- those marks. However, his primary value will come from his work in the return game, as he has proven to be both a valuable kick and punt returner throughout his professional career. |
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Donald Parham Donald Parham More competition on tap
Wed, Apr 6, 2022, 4:17 PM
Parham faces additional competition at tight end after the Chargers opted to sign Gerald Everett, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Not only does Everett project to be the team's No. 1 tight end this season, coach Brandon Staley suggested the team is still interested in adding another one to the mix, saying: "You can't have enough tight ends for me because gaps and vertical threats make you a lot more challenging to defend." While nominal third-stringer Stephen Anderson signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals earlier this offseason, it's entirely possible Parham might find himself in a full-fledged battle for the No. 2 role, much less a starting spot, after the exclusive rights free agent spent the majority of the offseason to date as the team's lone quality option. |
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Gerald Everett Gerald Everett Signing with Chargers
Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 5:31 PM
Everett is signing with the Chargers on Sunday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
Analysis: Everett spent the first four seasons of his career with the Rams but signed with Seattle ahead of the 2021 campaign. He appeared in 15 games for the Seahawks and hauled in 48 of 63 targets for 478 yards and four touchdowns while rushing three times for 20 yards. Everett should compete with Donald Parham for targets ahead of the 2022 campaign. |
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Chase Daniel Chase Daniel Back with Chargers
Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 11:41 AM
Daniel has agreed to a one-year deal with the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per the report, the veteran QB's deal is for $2.25 million. The 35-year-old is thus slated to remain Justin Herbert's top backup in 2022. In that capacity, Daniel did not attempt a pass last season. |
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Jalen Guyton Jalen Guyton To receive contract tender
Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 5:00 PM
The Chargers are slated to extend a contract tender to Guyton, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.
Analysis: As a result, Guyton -- an exclusive rights free agent -- is poised to reclaim his role in the Chargers offense in 2022. The 24-year-old is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he logged 31 catches (on 48 targets) for 448 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games. This coming season Guyton will continue to work behind the team's top pass-catching options, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, while competing with Joshua Palmer and possibly others for No. 3 wideout reps. |
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Donald Parham Donald Parham Gets contract tender for 2022
Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 2:20 PM
The Chargers have extended a contract tender to Parham, per Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus.
Analysis: With the reported move, Parham -- an exclusive rights free agent -- is on track to reclaim his role in the Chargers offense in 2022. With that in mind, Kyed adds that Parham has been fully cleared from the concussion that landed him on IR late last season. The 6-foot-8, 237-pounder caught 20 of his 27 targets for 190 yards and three TDs in 14 contests last season. With last year's top pass-catching TE Jared Cook headed for free agency, Parham -- who turns 25 in August -- could potentially see an uptick in targets this coming season, but his fantasy upside won't come into focus until after the bulk of the team's offseason moves have been made. |
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Mike Williams Mike Williams Agrees to three-year extension
Tue, Mar 8, 2022, 1:06 PM
The Chargers and Williams have agreed on a three-year, $60 million deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per the report, Williams' new contract includes $40 million guaranteed. The 27-year-old is coming off a 2021 season in which he logged 76 catches on 129 targets for 1,146 yards and nine TDs in 16 games. Now that he's back in the fold, Williams will reprise his starting role opposite Keenan Allen, giving the Chargers and QB Justin Herbert a quality 1-2 punch at wide receiver. |
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Larry Rountree Larry Rountree Lackluster rookie season
Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 11:28 AM
Rountree finished his rookie campaign with 36 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown across 12 games.
Analysis: Coming out of training camp, Rountree was billed as a bludgeoning short-yardage back, but the rookie sixth-round pick was hardly effective in that role despite Los Angeles' desperate need to develop a complement to lead option Austin Ekeler. Instead, Rountree found himself a healthy inactive by the midway point of the season, and eventually served purely as special-teams depth from Week 12 onward. It's hard to imagine Rountree emerges as a capable backup to Ekeler even after 2020 draft pick Joshua Kelley underwhelmed for the second straight season, but neither back will be a clear-cut No. 2 option if the team opts to re-sign Justin Jackson who will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. |
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Joshua Kelley Joshua Kelley Mediocre second season
Wed, Jan 26, 2022, 11:23 AM
Kelley tallied 33 carries for 102 yards and five catches for 38 yards across the 2021 campaign.
Analysis: The 2020 fourth-round pick took a dramatic step backward after a disappointing rookie campaign, often waffling between the No. 3 and No. 4 back throughout 2021. At this point, Kelley may not be a lock to be retained in 2022, coming off consecutive seasons in which he averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry. The fact that the Chargers still lack of quality depth behind three-down stalwart Austin Ekeler might give the UCLA product enough wiggle room to stick around in a depth role next season. |
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Stephen Anderson Stephen Anderson Plays all 17 games in 2021
Mon, Jan 24, 2022, 3:30 PM
Anderson caught 16 of 19 targets for 165 yards and one touchdown across 17 appearances during the 2021 campaign.
Analysis: Anderson primarily operated as the No. 3 tight end, but both Jared Cook and Donald Parham missed multiple games during the season, so he saw increased roles periodically throughout the year. However, Anderson still wasn't able to crack fantasy relevancy with the pair out. Cook and Anderson will be unrestricted free agents this offseason, so Parham, an exclusive rights free agent, and rookie Tre' McKitty could jump to the top of the depth chart if the Chargers choose not to re-sign two of their top three tight ends. |
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Tre' McKitty Tre' McKitty Quiet rookie season
Mon, Jan 24, 2022, 3:20 PM
McKitty caught six of eight targets for 45 yards across 11 appearances during the 2021 campaign.
Analysis: McKitty didn't play until after the Chargers' Week 7 bye, but third-round rookie appeared in every game after that, notching double-digit offensive snaps in all but one contest. However, he didn't really get involved in the passing game until Donald Parham suffered a concussion Week 15. From Weeks 15-18, McKitty drew at least one target in each game and caught five of six targets for 38 yards. With starting tight end Jared Cook set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, McKitty could be in store for a larger role in Year 2. |
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Justin Jackson Justin Jackson Best season to date
Sat, Jan 15, 2022, 12:47 PM
Jackson carried the ball three times for 20 yards in Sunday's 35-32 overtime loss to the Raiders. The fourth-year back finished the season with 68 carries and 364 rushing yards to go along with 22 receptions and 178 receiving yards. He also compiled two rushing touchdowns.
Analysis: The 2021 campaign wound up being a career year for the 25-year-old, as Jackson set career highs in carries, rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards, though to be fair almost a third of his total production came in the Week 16 loss against the Texans with Austin Ekeler (COVID-19) sidelined. Jackson has always been a coaching staff's favorite, whether that was Anthony Lynn's braintrust or now current head coach Brandon Staley, but the Northwestern product can never seem to stay healthy long enough to capitalize on the momentum. An unrestricted free agent this offseason, it's unclear whether the Chargers will bring back Jackson on a short-term deal or if recent draft picks Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree could be asked to take over as the optimal No. 2 behind Ekeler. |
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Joshua Palmer Josh Palmer Scores in season finale
Thu, Jan 13, 2022, 9:44 AM
Palmer caught four of his nine targets for 45 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-32 overtime loss to the Raiders. The rookie finished the 2021 season with 33 receptions for 353 yards and four touchdowns.
Analysis: It took COVID-19 absences from both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams to force the issue, but Palmer quietly seemed to earn confidence from quarterback Justin Herbert toward the latter half of the season, accumulating 18 receptions, 185 yards and three touchdowns in his last five games. Both Williams and nominal No. 3 starter Jalen Guyton are technically free agents entering this offseason, but given that the Chargers boast the sixth-highest cap space among NFL teams, the team could certainly choose to bring back both players. The rookie's lack of breakaway speed seemingly doesn't make him an ideal candidate to play outside where the aforementioned duo operate, which also throws a wrench in 2022 projections, but it's at least encouraging to have seen Palmer develop some chemistry with Herbert, Los Angeles' ascending franchise signal-caller. |
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Jalen Guyton Jalen Guyton Excels in final game
Thu, Jan 13, 2022, 9:29 AM
Guyton caught six of his nine targets for 52 yards in Sunday's 35-32 loss to the Raiders. The third-year wide receiver finished the season with 31 receptions for 448 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games.
Analysis: It took until the final game of the season, but Guyton recorded season highs in receptions and targets while tallying his third effort with at least 50 receiving yards over his last five contests. Part of that extra volume was due to the Chargers furiously attempting a double-digit fourth quarter comeback, but it underscores what had been an encouraging month of December for Guyton after what looked liked a subpar season for the 24-year-old. That being said, it's hard to have much optimism from a fantasy standpoint moving forward for Guyton, who under the Anthony Lynn last season saw a high volume of snaps only for Joe Lombardi's scheme to effectively neutralize the speedster in 2021. The emergence of rookie third-round pick Joshua Palmer also factored into Guyton's downturn as the duo essentially split reps as the team's No. 3 pass catcher by the end of October. A restricted free agent this offseason, expect Guyton to be retained on a short-term deal as a depth piece capable of starting if pressed into action. |
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Jared Cook Jared Cook Finishes season with 48 catches
Thu, Jan 13, 2022, 9:08 AM
Cook tallied four receptions on seven targets for 80 yards in Sunday's 35-32 overtime loss to the Raiders. The veteran tight end finished the 2021 campaign with 48 receptions for 564 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games.
Analysis: It's hard to say Cook disappointed in his first season with the Chargers considering he posted more receptions, receiving yards and 20-plus yard catches than his final year with the Saints, but he averaged only 11.8 yards per catch which marked a career low as a starter. Still, the 34-year-old was more or less able to fill the massive vacuum left by the departure of Hunter Henry. It'll be interesting to see what the team opts to do at tight end next season. Donald Parham quietly emerged as a capable red-zone threat this year and was beginning to pick up steam as a reliable pass catcher before suffering a concussion in Week 15, ending his season. It's possible Parham could step into the starting role if healthy, leaving Cook -- who signed a one-year deal with the Chargers this offseason -- looking for another team to extend his career. |
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Maurice Ffrench Maurice Ffrench Signs new contract with Chargers
Tue, Jan 11, 2022, 6:34 PM
The Chargers signed Ffrench to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: The wide receiver was active for three games with the Chargers this season, playing only two total offensive snaps. Ffrench will return to the team in 2022, looking to work his way towards a larger role. |
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Michael Bandy Michael Bandy Inks new deal with Chargers
Tue, Jan 11, 2022, 6:32 PM
The Chargers signed Bandy to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Bandy was active for one game this season, failing to register a target while racking up 88 kick-return yards in Week 16 against the Texans. The wide receiver will remain with the Chargers in 2022, providing him opportunity to play a larger role in the team's offense. |
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