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Los Angeles Chargers: Hunter Henry The Hot Breakout Pick

By Erik Lambert

Jan 1, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chiefs won 37-27. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chiefs won 37-27. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chiefs won 37-27. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chiefs won 37-27. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Chargers look like the trendy pick of 2017 to make a run at the playoffs. Maybe even a Super Bowl if some of their young talent develop.

None more so than tight end Hunter Henry. Anyone with eyes could clearly see he was drafted last year as the heir apparent to the aging Antonio Gates. His rookie season went well. The Arkansas product caught 36 passes for 478 yards and 8 touchdowns. Not bad work considering Gates still got a lot of the action at tight end. However, the torch is expected to be passed this year.

ESPN polled a number of respected analysts around the football world with a simple question. Who will be the breakout player of 2017? There were some diverse answers like Josh Doctson, Sheldon Rankins and C.J. Prosise. The only though to get two votes was Henry. Here is what the writers had to say about their reasoning.

Matt Bowen (B/R)

"“Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry had eight touchdown catches as a rookie, and he has the trust of quarterback Philip Rivers inside of the 20-yard line (seven red zone touchdowns in 2016). With the size (6-foot-5) to win matchups and the route-running ability to create separation, Henry is in a position to move ahead of veteran Antonio Gates as one of Rivers’ top targets.”"

Aaron Schatz (Football Outsiders)

"“Football Outsiders’ DYAR stats had Hunter Henry of the Chargers ranked fifth in total value among tight ends last season. Not bad for a rookie. Gates is still around, but he’ll be 37 this season, so the path is open for Henry to become one of the most productive players at the position.”"

Exactly the sort of news Chargers fans want to hear. Henry will be needed this season. It’s never easy for a team moving from one city to another to find any immediate success. Thus far the only team to make the playoffs during one was the Oakland Raiders in 1982 and that was aided by the season being shortened by a players strike.

In other words not only is a Henry breakout desired, but possibly critical to their chances of reaching the playoffs this season. That makes these predictions welcome bits of information for a team that’s still trying to figure out its identity under new head coach Anthony Lynn. One thing is for sure. Throwing to Henry will be part of it.

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