Chargers depth chart: Joe Reed, KJ Hill can make an impact in 2020

The Chargers got some impact receivers on day three of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Los Angeles Chargers started the 2020 NFL Draft by ushering in a new era at the quarterback position.

With Philip Rivers off to Indianapolis, the Chargers took Oregon’s Justin Herbert. How soon will Herbert take over as the starting quarterback in Los Angeles?

No one knows the answer to that question right now, but for the time being, there are other rookies who can make an instant impact for the Chargers in 2020, including a couple of day three selections at wide receiver.

The Chargers, like almost every team in the NFL, took advantage of the tremendous depth at wide receiver in this class by selecting Virginia’s Joe Reed in the fifth round and Ohio State’s KJ Hill in the seventh round.

KJ Hill lasting to the seventh round had to be one of the most shocking developments of the draft, but the rest of the NFL’s loss is the Chargers’ gain.

Perhaps the most underrated selection by the Chargers — because of the tremendous value of KJ Hill in the seventh round — was the selection of Joe Reed in the fifth.

Joe Reed is a big-time playmaker

Joe Reed did not get a bunch of fanfare ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, but he’s really an interesting study.

Built like a big running back, Reed has tremendous speed and explosiveness and is one of the most dangerous return men coming into the NFL this season.

If nothing else, Reed’s going to make his presence felt for the Chargers on special teams, but he can bring value to their offense as an explosive weapon to go along with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

If you’re not a Chargers fan, you probably had no clue that behind Allen and Williams, Andre Patton played over 500 snaps for the Chargers at wide receiver, third-most among that position group.

Despite playing over 500 offensive snaps, Patton was targeted just 17 times in the passing game and caught six passes.

There are snaps to be had at wide receiver for the Chargers, and with Melvin Gordon departed to Denver, there are going to be more targets to go around as well. Reed could certainly see some of those, but as just about everyone has been saying since before the 2020 Draft, don’t sleep on KJ Hill either.

Hill had 16 touchdowns over the last two seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and finished his time in Columbus as the school’s all-time receptions leader.

Despite not having the measurables of a day two pick, Hill put on a show at the Senior Bowl and has great hands, quick feet, and runs good routes.

He could be an immediate factor out of the slot for the Chargers.

This year’s wide receiver class was outstanding, and the Chargers took advantage of the depth of it with two day three selections who should be able to come in and make an impact right away.