Football is a team sport. It’s probably one of the only sports that even if you’re an amazing individual player, you still can’t carry the whole team on your back. Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, and most other sports can be won by one or two great players. In football, all 22 players have to be good and in sync. 25 players if you’re counting special teams as well. Now, let’s dive into the Chargers’ offense and do a quick analysis of each offensive position group.
Quarterback Analysis
Chargers QB Justin Herbert (10) – Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG
This will be one of the shorter sections of this piece. The Chargers have Justin Herbert, whom they drafted in 2020. Not much analysis is needed to justify his place in the league. In his first three seasons, Herbert has the most passing yards, according to an ESPN post by Lindsey Thiry. He ranks second in passing touchdowns behind only Dan Marino. Herbert had to carry the team on his back last year due to a flood of injuries to the team. He did just that by carrying them all the way to the playoffs for his first playoff appearance.
Behind him are Easton Stick and 7th-round pick Max Duggan. Stick was given an extension this offseason, despite not starting a single game in his first four seasons. Both of these quarterbacks are unproven and have little to no NFL experience. Should Herbert go down, knock on wood, the Chargers would be lucky to win at least two games with any of these two backups.
Running Back Analysis
The Chargers have one of the most reliable backs in the league in Austin Ekeler. He is a touchdown machine, leading the league in touchdowns for each of the last two seasons. Not only does he do it on the ground, but he scores them through the air. He set the Chargers’ season record for receptions with 107. Now, that is likely due to the fact everyone else was injured, and former OC Joe Lombardi loved using screens. Still, 107 receptions by a running back is a great feat and garners high praise. The Chargers have a back who can do it all in run, catch, and block.
Behind Ekeler are some questionable backups. It’s difficult to do an analysis of them. Joshua Kelley has shown growth since being drafted in the 4th round in 2020 but has had trouble staying healthy. Isaiah Spiller was supposed to be our short-yardage back but didn’t show enough to get on the field much last year. Larry Rountree III hasn’t played much in the past two seasons. Zander Horvath is technically a fullback, but I’m listing him as a running back because I don’t think new OC Kellen Moore used FBs with the Dallas Cowboys. Overall, not a lot of talent behind Ekeler unless they can stay healthy and develop to meet their expectations.
Wide Receiver Analysis
For a team to succeed in today’s NFL, they need to have at least three or four reliable receivers. Right now, the Chargers have a great duo. Keenan Allen is one of the best route runners in the league. His moves are so smooth that he sometimes makes defenders stumble over the turf. But he can also win some jump balls and go deep if needed. Mike Williams is a jump ball receiver that gives Herbert an 80/20 chance of completion instead of 50/50. In an NFL article by Nick Shook, Williams had the second-best catch rate over expected in tight windows by any receiver. However, he can also run routes and be a reliable receiver overall.
Joshua Palmer did admirably with both Williams and Allen out in games last year, but he’s not a number-one option. I’d say he’s a number two at best. Jalen Guyton is their speed receiver. Then there’s 1st round pick Quentin Johnston who the Chargers expect to be another deep threat. Some experts believe that if he works on his hands and possession catches, he could be the number one option for Herbert after that is fellow TCU receiver and 4th-round draft pick Darius Davis. He will be our special teams returner but can also have some plays on offense for trick plays and deep throws.
Tight End Analysis
If the Chargers have a weakness on offense, it would be the tight end. Gerald Everett is a good receiving option, as he’s definitely one of the more athletic tight ends in the league, which is good after the catch. However, he can’t block, and Moore’s system is a better fit for bigger type tight ends. It’s hard to do an analysis on Everett when he hasn’t been shown in the new system. It’ll be interesting to see how he does.
Behind him are Donald Parham and Tre McKitty. Parham is a great red zone threat, being that he’s 6’8. However, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy for the past two seasons. If he is, he could help Herbert get more touchdowns. McKitty was drafted to be a blocking tight end, but he is only okay with that. Surprisingly, he’s a better blocker than Everett, but that says more about how bad at blocking Everett is because Parham is a slightly better blocker than McKitty, in my opinion, and that’s not even what he’s used for. If Parham can stay healthy and/or McKitty develops more as either a blocker or receiver, then the Chargers are fine at tight end.
Offensive Line Analysis
Chargers OT Rashawn Slater (70) – Kyusung Gong/Associated Press
The starting lineup for the Chargers’ offensive line looks amazing. Here are the starters from left to right: Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Corey Linsley, Jamaree Salyer, and Trey Pipkins. Now that is a great starting lineup.
Slater made the pro bowl his rookie year and is only getting better. Zion did well for a rookie but still needs to develop more. Linsley is arguably the best center in the league with Jason Kelce of the Eagles. Salyer did better than some 1st and 2nd round rookies despite being drafted in the 6th round and being thrown into the starting lineup last year without any notice because of Slater’s injury. Pipkins had his best season last year and that was while playing through an injury. This o-line could be one of the best in the league, which is the first time in a long time that any Chargers fan can say that.
Behind them are Will Clap, Brenden Jaimes, 5th-round pick Jordan McFadden, and Foster Sarell. Not a lot of depth behind the starters so just one injury could really hinder the potential of this position group.
Conclusion
My overall analysis of the Chargers’ offense is that they don’t have a hole anywhere on it. Every position is strong and reliable. The only concern for all of these groups is depth—no depth for QB, RB, TE, or OL. WR is the only position group on offense. I think it is deep enough to be okay, even with an injury or two. As mentioned in an article by Derick Jelley, injuries could be the downfall of the group as a whole. However, as long as the Chargers have Herbert under center, they should be fine and on their way to another playoff appearance.
