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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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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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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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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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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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Stephen Anderson Stephen Anderson Catches one pass
Wed, Jan 5, 2022, 8:19 AM
Anderson caught his lone target for eight yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: With both Jared Cook (reserve/COVID-19 list) and Donald Parham (concussion) out for Week 17, Anderson filled in as the Chargers' No. 1 tight end. He effectively shared reps at the position with rookie Tre' McKitty, who played 52 percent of the Chargers' offensive snaps to Anderson's 78 percent. McKitty, however, was more involved in the passing game, seeing three targets to Anderson's one. Parham remains on injured reserve, but with Cook likely to make his return from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the Raiders, Anderson will be in store for a role reduction. |
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Joshua Palmer Josh Palmer Catches three passes in win
Wed, Jan 5, 2022, 7:56 AM
Palmer secured three of five targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: Palmer split the Chargers' No. 3 receiver role with Jalen Guyton, as Mike Williams (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of the contest. Palmer played 31 of the team's 67 offensive snaps, one fewer than Guyton. With Keenan Allen and Williams both appearing healthy ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the Raiders, Palmer can't be counted on to fill a significant role in Los Angeles' passing attack in the regular-season finale. |
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Jalen Guyton Jalen Guyton Catches two passes in win
Wed, Jan 5, 2022, 7:44 AM
Guyton caught both of his targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: Guyton and teammate Joshua Palmer shared the Chargers' No. 3 receiver role Week 17 after Mike Williams (illness) activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to the contest. Guyton played on 32 of the Chargers' 67 offensive naps, while Palmer played just one fewer snap. |
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Mike Williams Mike Williams Late touchdown salvages fantasy day
Sun, Jan 2, 2022, 7:19 PM
Williams (illness) caught three of his four targets for 63 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: Williams was kept in check for most of the afternoon until his beautiful diving 45-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter completely put the game out of reach. One week after missing the devastating Week 16 loss to the Texans, Williams immediately re-asserted himself as a dangerous deep threat. While Sunday's touchdown marked just the second score for Williams since mid-October, he'll likely be leaned on heavily as the Chargers face off against the Raiders next week in a win-and-you're-in situation. |
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Keenan Allen Keenan Allen Kept in check
Sun, Jan 2, 2022, 7:11 PM
Allen caught just four of his nine targets for 44 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: Allen struggled to gain much separation in this contest, often matching up against sensational rookie Patrick Surtain, with the Broncos cornerback routinely getting the upper hand. The veteran wide receiver did tally his 100th reception for the third consecutive season and appears poised for another solid game next week in a win-and-you're-in divisional battle against the Raiders. |
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Austin Ekeler Austin Ekeler Tops century mark once more
Sun, Jan 2, 2022, 7:01 PM
Ekeler (illness) tallied 17 carries for 58 yards and one touchdown to go along with three receptions for 54 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: A week after testing positive for COVID-19 and subsequently missing the demoralizing loss to the Texans, Ekeler came right back and continued to build upon his touchdown streak, extending his consecutive games-scored total to four. The emergence of Justin Jackson (60 total yards on 15 touches) should help the dynamic jack-of-all trades running back get a bit of rest throughout next week's game, but expect Ekeler to remain the Chargers' top weapon in the red zone. |
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