Verdict Scale

Dynasty- These are the guys you’re looking for in dynasty leagues.

Redraft- These are the guys you want in redraft leagues

Stash-These are the players that will make good bench players, and/or stash them for dynasty.

Fade-These are the players, I think you can avoid.

Chargers Offseason

The Los Angeles Chargers focused on fixing their league’s worst offensive line this offseason. First, they added Corey Linsley through free agency, then they drafted all-purpose lineman Rashawn Slater at 13th overall. This year the Chargers are looking to build off their core offensive weapons, and turn their team into an offensive juggernaut. This should make for a lot of excellent options in fantasy football.

Quarterback

Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert was the Offensive Rookie of the Year last season and overall one of the most impressive quarterbacks in the NFL. Last year, the Chargers played with house money when Tyrod Taylor went down unexpectedly with a punctured lung. This opportunity turned into one of the best seasons for a rookie QB. Herbert turned in 4,336 yards, 31 TDs on 595 pass attempts. Justin Herbert’s rookie season ranked first in TDs and second in passing yards amongst all quarterbacks.

Herbert’s first year in the NFL was great, but his future in this league seems limitless. Last year, the Chargers’ offensive line was terrible and Herbert had to run for his life. This year will be a different story, look out for Herbert to elevate his game to the next level. One last thing to consider is Herbert’s dual-threat capabilities, rushing for 234 yards, 5 TDs on 55 carries. Herbert was a red zone threat in the run game, carrying the ball 20 times. Look out for a big year from Herbert, the guy has a big arm, a new line, and is surrounded by talented pass catchers. Verdict: Dynasty/Redraft

Justin Herbert laser showpic.twitter.com/XEw4hAHoXZ

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 27, 2021

Running Back

Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler is one of the best pass-catching running backs in the NFL. Last year, Ekeler posted 933 yards from scrimmage, adding 3 TDs and producing 5.5 yards per touch. In 2020, Ekeler missed 6 games due to injury and ran behind the worst offensive line in the league. Critics of Ekeler will point to his one goal-line carry and say that he isn’t capable of scoring in the red zone. An improved line should help Ekeler be more effective on those goal-line opportunities.

Some stats that stand out from 2020 are Ekeler’s 4.6 yards per carry, an impressive mark considering he was behind the worst line in the NFL.  Ekeler’s 65 targets were eighth in the league, and without an injury last season he would’ve undoubtedly hit 100+ targets. This year is very promising for Ekeler because he has a new line and new offensive coordinator, Joe Lombardi, who helped Alvin Kamara become a top five fantasy player. I’m expecting a huge year for Austin Ekeler as a rusher and pass-catcher. I’m going to put out a hot take and say Ekeler finishes top five in 2021. Verdict: Dynasty/Redraft

https://twitter.com/CharlieFriar/status/1411523558052929536

Larry Rountree

Larry Rountree was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Missouri. Roundtree is a big physical back, who put up 972 yards and 14 TDs on 209 carries. When reviewing tape on Rountree, the aspects of his game that showed up strong were his tenacity, physicality, and his mean stiff arm. I don’t see Rountree being much of a threat to take away carries from Ekeler, but he could be good for some goal-line work. Verdict: Stash

Justin Jackson

Justin Jackson is a layman’s Austin Ekeler, he’s just a tad bit slower and not nearly as shifty. Jackson has had three years to prove he’s not just another guy and nothing has come of it. I think he’ll be a roster cut this year, and if not then he’ll have some competition for the change of pace role in Los Angeles. Verdict: Fade

Joshua Kelley

Joshua Kelley showed up for the first three weeks of the season then ceased to impress the rest of the season. Kelley’s totals were 354 yards, 2 TDs on 111 carries. What was telling about Kelley’s status with the team was the signing of Kalen Ballage mid-season. After Ekeler went down, instead of taking on the role of lead back Kelley, he seemed to become less a part of the offense. I liked Kelley coming out of UCLA, but watching him in the league put his skillset into perspective. He doesn’t have the talent to be an every-down back, nor the skillset to produce for fantasy. Verdict: Fade

Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen

Keenan Allen is a target machine averaging 147 targets a year, and 2021 should be more of the same. Last year Keenan Allen was on pace for 168 targets, which would’ve been a career-high for the eight-year vet. Allen is excellent as a short/intermediate receiver. With an average depth of target of 7.4 yards, it’s easy to see how he got 147 targets. The one knock against Allen is his lack of TDs, although 8 TDs last year matched his career-best. Last year, he was targeted 17 times in the red zone, collecting 13 recs for 112 yards and 7 TDs. 

Adding Herbert last year made the transition from Philip Rivers seamless. All season long Allen and Herbert seemed to gel and we shouldn’t expect any less in 2021. As long as the Chargers keep Allen’s role as the underneath “go-to guy”, I don’t see a decrease in production coming from him. I am actually predicting that this will be a breakout year for Allen in the TD department. I predict he should get between 10-12 TDs this year. Verdict: Redraft

Mike Williams

Mike Williams has been up and down his entire four-year career with the Chargers. A deep threat receiver who has never taken the time to evolve his route tree is now in the fifth year of his rookie deal. Originally selected seventh overall in 2017, Williams has produced one 1,000 yard season and one 10 TDs season. Williams’ average receptions for the past three years have been 46. Mike Williams is one of the biggest mysteries in fantasy football, everyone wants him to be good, but he just never puts together all the pieces during the season.

Some stats to explain why Mike Williams is underutilized are that 22 of his 85 targets were considered deep balls. Listen, I understand when you have a burner you try and take advantage, but maybe utilize Williams’ speed in the slot some more. His ADOT was 14.8 last year, essentially making him their home run hitter. That’s great but obviously, this guy isn’t Will Fuller or Tyreek Hill, he’s good on the outside but not great. Until we see Williams become more consistent on the perimeter or take shorter routes, it’s hard to trust him. Verdict: Fade

Jalen Guyton

The third-year receiver out of North Texas showed some potential in 2020. Mike Williams is seemingly fighting this year for his next contract and Guyton might be fighting to get Williams’ spot. Last season Guyton caught 28 passes for 511 yards and 3 TDs. Guyton is a burner like Mike Williams. With an ADOT of 16.9 (third in the league), Guyton saw 19 deep balls thrown his direction last year. A more polished route runner, Guyton could see more work thrown his way this year. The major critique on Guyton is the seven drops he had last year, which may hurt him going forward into 2021. Overall, Guyton is someone to keep an eye on. Mike Williams has proven to be injury-prone in the past and the Chargers may need someone to step up. Verdict: Stash

Tyron Johnson

Last year Tyron Johnson was efficient with the target he was given, catching 20 of 26 balls thrown his way. He showed off big-play ability while averaging 19.9 yards per reception. Johnson’s ADOT was 18.9 and he got 10 deep targets last year. It was easy to figure how he was going to be utilized when on the field. Johnson is a perimeter threat on a team that has a depth chart full of speedsters. I’m not holding my breath with Johnson, he’s talented but limited. Verdict: Fade

Josh Palmer

I thought Josh Palmer in the third round was an excellent addition for the Chargers. Palmer has the abilities of Mike Williams: good contested-catch skills, tracks the ball well, and can break away from defenders. What he does better is he has a more refined route tree. I think we’re going to see a lot of Josh Palmer this year in the slot. I don’t think he’ll be a difference-maker in fantasy this year, but I can see him being a cheap stash this year that’ll help your dynasty team. Verdict: Stash

Tight End

Jared Cook

Jared Cook may be one of the biggest steals on this Chargers team. Over the past two years in New Orleans Cook scored 16 TDs. Why is this relevant? Well, it just so happens that his new offensive coordinator was the QB coach in New Orleans. Having a target like Cook in the red zone is a deadly weapon for Justin Herbert. Never has Cook been an elite tight end in fantasy, but he has a career average of 13.2 YPC. Cook has always been the guy that can take the top off of defenses. Now with Justin Herbert who threw 65 deep balls last season, this could be Cook’s year to take off in fantasy football.
I won’t predict anything too off the wall for Cook, but I will say that he’ll have more value than his ADP will indicate. For those owners that wait till the end to address the TE position, this is a sneaky move with a high upside potential. Verdict: Stash

Donald Parham

Donald Parham is on a hype train right now and there isn’t much to explain. In 2020, he was limited in action, only getting targeted 20 times, catching 10 receptions for 159 yards and 3 TDs. Parham was used sparingly because of his limited skill set. One telling stat for him was his contested catch percentage. He had seven contested targets and reeled in two last year. You might wonder why I brought up this stat? It’s because Parham is 6’8″ and 237 lbs, this is a guy you go to when you need a red zone threat or an underneath threat that’s unguardable. If he can work on his route running and learn to position his body better, I can see him having Robert Tonyan-like potential. My issue with him this year is that the Chargers brought in both Jared Cook and Tre’ McKitty. Both additions tell me they aren’t playing Parham much this year.

Stacks to Own

Justin Herbert-Austin Ekeler/Keenan Allen or both

Conclusion

The Chargers are a good team, with a lot of explosive pieces. Snagging the right player or players from this team will help your fantasy team compete for a championship. Good luck and happy drafting!

Simbull

Go play the greatest and latest in sports gambling at https://simbull.app/bellyupfantasy. Wall Street meets sports gambling in this innovative app. Simbull brings the fun of being able to play for the long term by purchasing, selling, and trading stocks of your teams. When your teams win, you win a payout. When they lose, you DON’T! The value of your teams’ share is all that matters and it’s easy to use. Just download the Simbull app on your play store and use the promo code BELLYUPFANTASY for a $10 deposit bonus of at least $10 or more. Join the fun of investing in your team for the long haul where the sportsbook edge is put back into your hands as the player. For the latest and most fun in sports gambling, download Simbull and again use the promo code BELLYUPFANTASY for your $10 deposit bonus today! https://simbull.app/bellyupfantasy

If you liked this and want to check out more content like it, visit https://bellyupfantasysports.com/. You can also follow me @semtexmex93.