Over the next few weeks ahead of training camp, I will continue to break down the depth chart for each Chargers position.
Next, I project what the wide receiver room will look like heading into the 2024 season.
Josh Palmer
Palmer, the 2021 third-round pick, has 143 career catches for 1,703 yards and nine touchdowns. He stepped up when Keenan Allen and Mike Williams dealt with injuries in 2022, tallying 72 receptions for 769 yards and three scores across 16 games. Last season, he had a career-high 58.1 yards per game but was sidelined six games by a knee injury. Palmer routinely creates separation for himself and makes big grabs down the field, something that he will need to continue this season as the offense looks to balance the pass and what is supposed to be a dominant run game. This is the final year of Palmer’s rookie deal, so it’s vital that he stays healthy and produces enough to get an extension next offseason.
Ladd McConkey
McConkey was the Chargers’ second-round pick in this year’s draft. Despite being a rookie, I think he will quickly work his way to becoming Justin Herbert’s top target. McConkey is arguably the best separator in the group. Like Keenan Allen, who was Herbert’s safety blanket, he got the ball a lot because he consistently made himself open. The chemistry has already begun being built as the two constantly linked up during OTAs this summer.
Quentin Johnston
After being selected in the first round in last year’s draft, Johnston struggled in his rookie season. Johnston finished with 38 catches on 67 targets for 431 yards and two touchdowns. His issues stemmed from struggling to create separation and catching the football, something he dealt with during his college career at TCU. Despite an uninspiring Year 1 from Johnston, he and others, including general manager Joe Hortiz, believe he is due for a breakout season.
D.J. Chark
Chark was a post-draft signing. He was signed because he offers elite speed to serve as a vertical threat, allowing Herbert to use his bazooka-like arm to push the football down the field to him. The 27-year-old has appeared in 69 career games and has 212 receptions for 3,069 yards and 23 touchdowns. His best season came in 2019 with the Jaguars, when he surpassed the 1,000-yard mark and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Derius Davis
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, Davis finished his sensational rookie season as a special teams ace with 24 returned punts for 385 total yards, second-most in the NFL. Davis’ punt return average of 16.0 ranked first in the league, and he was one of eight players to return a punt for a touchdown, which came in Week 9 against the Jets on Monday Night Football. Davis will still have to fight for a roster spot, but I believe his services for special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken will keep him in Los Angeles.
Brenden Rice
Now this is where it gets interesting. A few players will be fighting for what I think will be the last spot at this position (because I don’t think they roster seven). In what will likely be a tight battle between seventh-round picks Rice and Cornelius Johnson, I give the nod to the former USC product. No, this does not have to do with the fact that he is the son of a retired Hall of Famer, but he is more complete receiver than Johnson. Rice is a big receiver with strong hands and has a good sense of route running to be a complementary piece along the boundary. Furthermore, he is a willing as a blocker in space. It’s tough keeping Johnson off this projection, but I think they will be able to stash him on the practice squad.