Chargers tight end Hunter Henry has been on the outside of being considered one of the NFL’s top tight end. It’s primarily because he has struggled to stay healthy consistently, but Henry could be considered among the cream of the crop, if he stays injury-free.
Henry flourished with Philip Rivers distributing the wealth to him, amassing 136 catches, 1,709 receiving yards, 12.6 yards per reception and 17 touchdowns in 41 games.
However, the quarterback change, whether it’s Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert, could lead to higher production than what he managed to do with Rivers under center.
When Taylor was the starter for the Bills from 2015-17, he favored tight end Charles Clay as his primary target, as Clay was targeted 238 times in 41 games.
From those 238 targets, Clay caught 157 of them for 1,638 yards and six touchdowns.
Tyrod Taylor to Charles Clay vs. Houston 12/6/15 pic.twitter.com/6aBC6Ax9U1
— Bills TD A Day (@BillsTouchdown) February 6, 2018
If there is a switch at the quarterback position and the team decides to go with Herbert at some point during the season, Henry could quickly become the rookie’s go-to option.
During his time at Oregon, Herbert favored the team’s tight end in Jacob Breeland. The two linked up 74 times for 1,225 yards, 16.6 yards per reception and 13 touchdowns in four seasons.
Justin Herbert ➡️ Jacob Breeland for 6️⃣.
Watch #AZvsUO: https://t.co/ZLABag9Ytt pic.twitter.com/8TssSEzwQb
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 19, 2017
The Chargers are expected to take more of a run-heavy approach, given the fact that they have a mobile quarterback now. That could hinder the looks that Henry does get. Not to mention, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams could take some of his targets away.
Nonetheless, Taylor and Herbert’s favoritism towards tight ends in the past could lead to a bright 2020 campaign for Henry, as he looks to earn a big contract extension (if he isn’t extended prior to the season).