The Chargers enter the 2021 season with the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, quarterback Justin Herbert at the helms.
Beyond him are a slew of skill players that Herbert will have at his disposal, with the notables being Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson and Jared Cook.
The weapons don’t stop there, as Herbert will also have ascending pass-catching options like Tyron Johnson, Jalen Guyton and Donald Parham.
In addition, there are young yet intriguing pieces that include Josh Palmer, Tre’ McKitty, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree III.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell ranked the “offensive weapons” for all 32 NFL teams, from best to worst, and Los Angeles checked in at No. 20.
Here is what Barnwell wrote:
As impressive as Justin Herbert’s rookie season was, it’s hard to point to one of his weapons as having a similarly exciting campaign. Keenan Allen’s 100 catches generated just 992 yards, with the veteran fumbling three times and dealing with a hamstring issue. Mike Williams had his usual mix of mammoth games (wins over the Saints and Chiefs) and whisper-quiet performances (six games of 26 yards or fewer). Hunter Henry, who left for the Patriots in free agency, averaged under 44 yards per game. Austin Ekeler, coming off a breakout season, missed the better part of seven games with a hamstring injury and scored just three times. In true Philip Rivers fashion, Herbert coaxed the occasional big game out of guys on the bottom of the depth chart: Tyron Johnson, Jalen Guyton and Donald Parham.
Now, with Herbert entering his second season and Joe Lombardi taking over as offensive coordinator, Los Angeles’ star weapons need to play their part. Allen can’t average fewer than 10 yards per reception again. Ekeler doesn’t need to be Derrick Henry, but he has to be effective across 200-plus touches. Williams, who is in a contract year, needs to put together his first consistent season as a pro. And with Henry gone, the Chargers need to find a solution at tight end between Parham and Jared Cook. On paper, they should have more than enough talent around their quarterback. Nothing good, however, ever comes from a sentence that starts with “On paper, the Chargers …”
To some, Barnwell’s ranking might be unfavorable, but he takes quarterbacks and scheme out of the equation and comes up with the list by projecting how team’s running backs and receivers would do if they were placed in the most average offense with the most average quarterback and coach.
Barnwell believes that the group looks promising on paper, but the stars must stay healthy and produce at a consistent level in new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system, which is something they struggled with last season, which forced them lean on others like Johnson, Guyton and Parham.
I believe that the unit is capable of finishing within the top-10, but sustaining durability will be key to making it come to fruition.
For reference, the team’s offensive weapons ranked No. 16 in 2020 and No. 11 in 2019.