San Diego Chargers Offense Skill Depth Chart Preview
As I’ve been finding is the case for a majority of NFL teams, the San Diego Chargers are taking on a good amount of turnover at the offensive skill positions.
Philip Rivers should be much better equipped in 2015 than he was in 2014 to spread the ball around, to pound it on the ground, and perhaps lead the Chargers to a playoff appearance. San Diego made some bold moves this offseason, specifically with their top draft pick in taking running back Melvin Gordon.
Gordon should have plenty of room to run behind a massive and retooled offensive line, and Rivers should have a lot more time in the pocket with the addition of former Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin. Let’s take a look at the Chargers’ offensive skill positions, the backups, and what each guy brings to the table.
Quarterback
Philip Rivers was the best player on the Chargers’ offense last year, and it wasn’t particularly close. He had the team’s highest grade on Pro Football Focus, and despite throwing 18 interceptions, he completed almost 67 percent of his passes and had 31 touchdowns.
Aug. 24, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt (left) with quarterback Philip Rivers (17) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Rivers is still a top tier NFL quarterback, though he seems willing to take more risks than he was earlier on in his career. He throws plenty of interceptions, but Rivers has much more at his disposal this year — in my opinion — than he has in recent years to spread the football around and make better decisions.
Kellen Clemens will back up Rivers, but doesn’t offer much as a possible spot starter. The Chargers need Rivers to stay healthy.
Running Back
The departure of Ryan Mathews to Philadelphia led the way for the Chargers being able to add Melvin Gordon in the 2015 NFL Draft with their top selection. In fact, the Chargers moved up a little bit to get him. Gordon is one of the most explosive backs I’ve seen in college football in a while, and he has phenomenal size and deep speed.
May 26, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) prepares to make a cut as during organized team activities at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
When you look at the way he works off the field, he reminds me of a young Adrian Peterson. I don’t know if he’s that physical of a back, but the Chargers have a massive offensive line that should be improved in blocking for the run this season, and Gordon will be able to take advantage.
He will definitely be a candidate for offensive rookie of the year, but the Chargers’ depth at the position is going to be fortified by the return of Danny Woodhead, who played in just three games last year due to injury.
When healthy, Woodhead is one of the best dual-threat backs in the league as a receiver out of the backfield and someone who can kill you on third downs. He had 76 catches in 2013 with a whopping six touchdowns and 30 first downs. His presence will certainly be felt by opposing teams.
The Chargers also have backup Branden Oliver coming back in 2015, a player who actually led the team with 582 yards rushing last season. Oliver had his ups and downs as a first year player out of Buffalo, but he proved at times that he could be a reliable backup for the future with the ability to handle a couple of spot starts if needed.
Oliver graded out as one of the Chargers’ top offensive players last year by Pro Football Focus thanks to his excellent pass catching ability. He finished last season with 36 catches.
Donald Brown returns, but he will be fighting for carries with the aforementioned players and should be a valuable fourth back on this team unless an undrafted player beats him out for a roster spot in training camp.
Wide Receiver
Malcom Floyd led the Chargers in receiving last season with 856 yards on 52 catches, but the wide receiver position was a disappointment as a whole, in my opinion. I will get to that in a minute.
Floyd bounced back from a scary injury in 2013 to play all 16 games this past season, and at 33 years of age, he still provides the Chargers with a big, reliable downfield threat that can score the ball. He had six touchdowns last season, tying a career high and the most he’s had since 2010. If not for a -1.0 for his ‘screen blocking’ Floyd would have graded out as the Chargers’ second best offensive player last year by Pro Football Focus.
The disappointing aspect of the receiver position in San Diego, as I previously mentioned, was the play of sophomore receiver Keenan Allen, who had a phenomenal rookie year. On 121 targets, Allen caught only 77 passes for 783 yards and just four touchdowns.
Sep 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs after making a catch as Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) defends during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
That’s not exactly what the Chargers had in mind after his 71-1,046-8 line he posted as a rookie, averaging nearly five yards more per reception. That’s the version San Diego is banking on in year three for Keenan Allen, the former this round pick out of Cal who should be in line for a big bounce back and perhaps breakout year.
Slot receiver Eddie Royal moved on to the Chicago Bears, so the Chargers brought in a couple of veterans to try and replace some of that production (seven touchdown grabs in 2014).
They added Stevie Johnson from the San Francisco 49ers, a player who hasn’t been himself since his heyday in Buffalo. He caught 35 passes last season in 13 games for the 49ers.
They also brought in Jacoby Jones from the Baltimore Ravens, a player that might be more valuable on special teams in the long run than he will be at receiver. He can occasionally provide a deep threat offensively, but is still a really good kick returner.
Austin Pettis is a 6-3 former third round pick out of Boise State who has flashed potential in the NFL, but hasn’t put it together over the course of an entire season. Perhaps playing with a guy like Philip Rivers instead of what he had in St. Louis can give him the kind of jolt he needs to propel his career forward.
Dontrelle Inman is another big bodied second year player that caught 12 passes for the Chargers last season. He had seven first downs among those 12 receptions and might have potential as a bottom of the roster receiver.
Tight End
Antonio Gates is apparently aging really well, coming off of a season in which he caught 12 touchdown passes. His 12 scores were the most Gates has had since he logged 13 in 2004 and he proved he can still be a thorn in the side of NFL defenses as well as play at a Pro Bowl level, even at 35 years of age.
Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) runs the ball during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Chargers haven’t probably seen as much as they would like to at this point from Ladarius Green, who caught just 19 passes a year ago. He showed so much potential at Louisiana-Lafayette, people thought he would have an instant impact as a second tight end in the Chargers’ offense. Perhaps this year will be the year he breaks through.
David Johnson comes over from the Steelers to give the Chargers some added depth at the position.