We’re continuing our 4-EYED Team Preview Series with another team from the AFC West, the Los Angeles Chargers. First, we’re talking offense and later today we’ll be releasing our IDP outlook. So stay tuned!
Serendipity is the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. The 2020 season began with what I would consider, a serendipitous event. When Tyrod Taylor had visited the team’s doctor for a painkilling injection, only to have his lung punctured, and opening the door for Justin Herbert, that is an occurrence by chance with a beneficial ending. While this ending may have not been beneficial for Tyrod, which is heartbreaking, it did give the Chargers an extended look at their franchise QB!
With Justin Herbert at the helm from Week 2 going forward, the Chargers established themselves as one of the offensive powerhouses in the league. Last year they ranked first in total plays from scrimmage, 9th in yardage, and 4th in time-of-possession. There were many pieces on the offensive side of the ball that helped them achieve such a high level of performance. But out of those pieces who were the ones who not only helped your fantasy roster in 2020 but have the potential to do so again in 2021?
Find out now in our 2021 Chargers’ 4-EYED Offensive Team Preview!
Quarterback
Justin Herbert
The QB7 per Fantasy Pros consensus in only his 2nd year? The sky is definitely the limit for the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year! Last year he set the rookie record for passing TD’s (31) and passing yards per game (289.1). Herbert’s big arm was definitely on display last year as he was 6th in passing yards (4336), but it was his deep throw accuracy that, if improved, could really lead to a league-winning type QB. Herbert’s average depth of target ranked 21st, while his deep ball (20yd+) completion percentage was 13th. New Head Coach, Brandon Staley, has already stated that the “offensive is going to run through Herbert”. Add in the philosophy of Joe Lombardi wanting to have a more mobile QB, and the floor is even more stable for the Chargers’ QB.
This angle 🤯
— PFF (@PFF) July 31, 2021
Justin Herbert’s arm was built by NASA pic.twitter.com/Qtc4loT06d
Running Back
Austin Ekeler
“I’m going to make things happen. They’re going to throw me the ball; I’m going to make things happen. If you want to get fantasy points, you better have me on your team. So, that’s all I got to say. If I’m healthy, I’m going to score you points.”
-Austin Ekeler
This is a quote from Austin Ekeler in an interview recently with Los Angeles sports reporter Chris Hayre. What he said was what many of us in the fantasy football community were thinking, but to hear it from Ekeler is just more encouraging for his 2021 outlook.
In his first season as the lead back in LA, with Melvin Gordon moving on to Denver, Ekeler was ready to take the reigns, evidenced by his heavy workload prior to his Week 4 quad injury. Prior to that injury though, Ekeler had been very durable, only missing 2 games, dating back to 2017. Despite missing 6 games in 2020, he still finished as the RB29 in 1/2 PPR and RB26 in PPR. His 65 targets were 8th among running backs, and his 54 receptions were 6th, in only 10 games. Ekeler’s 476 yards after catch ranked 4th among RB (again, in only 10 games). Add in new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who recently coached Alvin Kamara, and now all of a sudden notion that the offense could incorporate Ekeler more than what he had already been makes his fantasy value that much more appealing. You’ll need to invest early in fantasy drafts this year (Top 10 pick IMO) in order to acquire him, but the return could be bountiful.
Is Austin Ekeler the best after-the-catch RB in the NFL?pic.twitter.com/dveMrR3lhi
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) July 29, 2021
Wide Receiver
Keenan Allen
What isn’t there to love about Keenan Allen?!
Last year marked the 4th year in a row he was targeted with 135+ targets in the receiving game. In addition to the targets, he has tallied 100 receptions in 3 of the past 4 years and fell 8 yards short of 1,000 yards in 2020 for the 4th consecutive year. Since 2017, Allen ranks 2nd in targets, 3rd in receptions, and 6th in rec yards amongst wide receivers. Last years’ rapport with Justin Herbert was no different than what it had been with Phillip Rivers, as he was 3rd in targets per game, 5th in target %, and 11th in red zone target %. If he hadn’t missed the 2 games, it would be a foregone conclusion that he would have eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau. As if we needed any additional boxes to check, Allen tied a career-high 8 TD’s in 2020. At the end of the season, Allen finished as the WR14 (14 games)
If you’re looking to start your draft with a legit WR1, Keenan Allen is as consistent and reliable as it gets.
Mike Williams
Could 2020 be the year that the former #7 overall pick finally puts it all together? Currently being drafted as the WR48, very few in that range have the upside of Williams. He is a rare blend of size, speed, and opportunity, that poessesses both a 1,000 yard season and a 10 TD season, unfortunately not together yet.
What needs to go right to see value as the WR48?
A return to double-digit TD’s would certainly do that, as would a return to 1,000 yards. If anything, a few more targets with Hunter Henry out of the picture and a couple more deep passes in his direction wouldn’t hurt either.
With the offense running through Herbert, and Mike Williams playing the X-receiver role, the upside is tremendous. While we have been burned before, some things remain the same. Williams’ 16.7 yards per reception ranks 3rd overall among WR since 2017. A true homerun threat on any given play!
Tight End
Jared Cook
With Hunter Henry leaving via free agency, the Chargers went out and brought in the steady red-zone friendly Jared Cook. Over his last two seasons with the Saints, Cook has averaged 40 receptions, 600 yards, and 8 touchdowns. While the scoring of 8 TDs might be tough to predict, he has built a “solid rapport” with Justin Herbert per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. It remains to seen how many snaps and what snap share he may command, but with the projected passing volume for LA, Cook is a decent BYE week replacement or TE premium option.
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