4 Chargers primed to make first Pro Bowl

The Los Angeles Chargers have a handful of players that could represent them in the 2021 Pro Bowl for the first time.

Every year, the Chargers send a few players to the Pro Bowl.

Sure, awards are the more highly coveted recognition for players, but Pro Bowl selections do matter. The game isn’t as popular to watch anymore, but in a league with over 1,600 players, being in that top 5 percent is an honor.

There is a lot of talent on this year’s roster and the Bolts will likely send some to the annual all-star game that hasn’t been there before.

Here are four that could find their way to Orlando, FL at the end of the season:

RB Austin Ekeler

The fact that Ekeler didn’t make the Pro Bowl this past year is still absolutely shocking. Each year since coming into the league, he showed promise. But he bursted onto the scene in 2019 as he was used all across the formation. Even after Melvin Gordon returned from his holdout, the former Western Colorado product was still productive. Ekeler finished the year with 557 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 92 catches, 993 receiving yards, and eight receiving scores. As a result, he earned a four-year contract extension earlier this offseason. The former Western Colorado product should only continue to be a focal point as a do-it-all skill player moving forward.

WR Mike Williams

After being banged up during his rookie season in 2017, Williams has been the model of consistency since then. In 2018, Williams surpassed the 10-touchdown mark. In 2019, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. His 20.4 yards per reception ranked first in the league. Whether it’s Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert under center, more deep ball opportunities should be there for the big-bodied target this upcoming season.

LB Drue Tranquill

Tranquill, the fourth-round selection of the 2019 NFL draft, made an impact upon arriving. As the season went on he grew into an integral part of the defense. In the 15 games played, three of which he started, Tranquill racked up 64 tackles (50 solo), four tackles for loss and one pass defended. On top of that, he finished with the most special teams tackles by any rookie (11). The former Notre Dame product could start the season as the starting Mike linebacker, while rookie Kenneth Murray plays the Will linebacker.

TE Hunter Henry

In four seasons, Henry has proven to be one of the league’s complete tight ends. The only issue is injuries. He has yet to play a full 16-game slate, all due to injury. However, when he is on the field, he is a matchup nightmare. Henry has a career average of 8.9 yards per target, which was among the top nine last year. In 2019, Henry managed to still put up 652 yards on 55 receptions with five touchdowns in only 12 games. Even though there will be a change at quarterback, Henry should flourish both on deeper routes and short crossing patterns, as well as in the red-zone. Staying healthy will be key, though.

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