Projecting the Chargers’ wide receiver depth chart in 2023
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be breaking down the depth chart for each Chargers position.
Next up, I project what the wide receiver room will look like heading into the 2023 season
WR1: Keenan Allen
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In 2022, Allen missed seven games due to a hamstring issue, finishing with 66 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns.
The 10-year wideout has been vital to the Bolts’ offense throughout his professional career. During that span, Allen has caught 796 passes for 9,287 yards and 52 touchdowns.
While he is getting up in age, set to be 31 this season and coming off an injury-riddled campaign, Allen is productive when healthy. He is still one of the best route runners in the league and is a safety blanket on third down.
WR2: Mike Williams
After breaking out with his second 1,000-yard season in 2021 and posting a career-high nine touchdowns, Williams finished the 2022 season with 63 catches, 895 yards and four scores in 13 games.
He missed four games with a high ankle sprain, suffered a back fracture in Week 18 last year, and was forced to sit out the wild-card loss to the Jaguars.
Williams has dealt with his fair share of injuries throughout his career, but when he is on the field, he supplies the offense with a big-bodied threat in the intermediate to deep parts of the field.
WR3: Quentin Johnston
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Entering training camp, Joshua Palmer is the third wide receiver on the depth chart behind Allen and Williams due to experience. But Johnston should unseat him ahead of the regular season.
The Chargers drafted Johnston in the first round of this year’s draft with the intention of injecting the offense with an explosive element. The rookie has an exciting mix of size (6-foot-3, 208 pounds), speed, and acceleration.
Last year, Johnston ranked sixth in yards after the catch per reception and 11th in missed tackles forced (minimum 50 targets per PFF).
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is going to design looks for Justin Herbert to get Johnston the ball in space and pick up yardage, and he should see some action down the field and in the red zone with his big frame to pull down passes.
WR4: Joshua Palmer
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The Chargers spent a good chunk of time without Allen and Williams with their respective injuries. That led to Herbert relying on lesser-known targets, highlighted by Palmer.
Palmer finished with 72 receptions for 769 yards. His biggest games came Weeks 9 and 11, amassing 106 receiving yards in each contest. He established himself as a reliable target for Herbert.
This season, Palmer’s target share will take a dip with the addition of Johnston. But he is one injury away from resuming a bigger role. Looking beyond 2023, if Allen or Williams isn’t back, Palmer should be a starter.
WR5: Derius Davis
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The Chargers drafted Davis in the fourth round. He is the favorite to be the return man, the role held by DeAndre Carter last season. Davis was arguably the best in college football in this department.
In his collegiate career, Davis returned five punts for a touchdown in just 44 attempts. He averaged 15.0 yards a return. Davis also has experience in kickoff returns, as he had one touchdown in that department and averaged 29.6 yards a return in 2021.
With his 4.36 speed, Davis is also capable of getting a few downfield shots a game to stretch the defense.
WR6: Jalen Guyton
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I expect the Chargers to roster six wide receivers because of the previous injuries to Allen and Williams. But who will earn the last spot will be determined in the next month.
Despite coming off a torn ACL, I am still rolling with Guyton because of his size and speed combination and familiarity with Herbert.
In his four seasons with Los Angeles, Guyton has 61 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns while starting 11 of the 38 games he appeared in.
But it’s worth keeping an eye on Keelan Doss, John Hightower and undrafted free agent Pokey Wilson, who could put together a solid summer and garner some attention for the sixth spot.
