The Chargers’ wide receiver room looks fairly stout heading into the 2020 season. Led by Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Los Angeles has a dynamic duo. The rest of the unit is made up of Andre Patton, Jason Moore, rookies K.J. Hill and Joe Reed.
But the continuity with the team’s top wideouts remains to be seen. Allen’s contract expires after the season, and Williams is slated to become a free agent the year after. As for the rest of the group, they have yet to prove themselves.
That is why Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox sent Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle to L.A. in his latest 2021 NFL mock draft, giving quarterback Justin Herbert a valuable weapon.
Wow. @AlabamaFTBL's Jaylen Waddle hit 21.88 mph. Tyreek Hill's top ball carrying speed this year is 21.95. #lookout pic.twitter.com/XICpb84aDE
— Logic Sports (@LogicSports3) November 25, 2018
Overshadowed by Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy, Waddle finished with 45 catches for 848 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman. He followed that up with 33 receptions for 560 yards and six touchdowns this past season.
Waddle is also a dangerous return man as he led the FBS with a 24.4-yard average on punt returns in 2019 and earned SEC special teams player of the year honors, along with adding three career special teams touchdowns.
Waddle would give the Chargers offense something that they have not had in awhile, which is a pass-catcher with elite phone booth quicks and legitimate breakaway speed.
Los Angeles has an outstanding defense, but their offense still needs some pieces in order to be successful for years to come, which is why they could benefit from giving their young signal-caller more premiere options to distribute the wealth to.