The Chargers wide receiver room could be undergoing some remodeling this off-season.
While they are in the market for one, particularly with speed, Los Angeles may be looking to find a replacement for veteran Keenan Allen, who is dubbed a potential cut casualty or trade option, given the team’s need to free up salary cap space.
If the Bolts move Allen, there is the possibility that they go into free agency looking to fill the void, or at least CBS Sport’s Cody Benjamin believes so.
Benjamin conducted a free-agency mock draft using educated guesses (and considered well-informed reports from across the league) and made the order by projected 2023 cap space.
With the No. 28 overall selection, Benjamin has Los Angeles “taking” Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell.
With Keenan Allen a potential cap casualty coming off an injury-shortened year, the Chargers may be in the market for a WR2 opposite Mike Williams. While Campbell has had his own issues staying on the field, he broke out as a speed threat for the Colts in 2022. His multipurpose abilities alongside RB Austin Ekeler would potentially spice up the offense for Justin Herbert.
Campbell, a second-round pick of the 2019 NFL draft, dealt with a fair share of injuries for most of his pro career. But he stayed healthy this past season, and Campbell set career-highs with 63 receptions and 623 yards while adding three touchdowns.
Campbell is an explosive player with track-star speed and fantastic agility, something the Chargers would benefit from.
But given his injury history and his projected contract of three years for $23.25 million ($7.75M per year) and $13.25 million total guaranteed, it might not be the most logical route to address the position.
Instead, Los Angeles could choose to sign a receiver to a veteran minimum contract and draft one early on, whether they choose to keep Allen or not, and still be in good shape.