Hayden Hurst

Chargers TE Stone Smartt primed for bigger role

With Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst out, Stone Smartt sits atop the tight end depth chart.

Will Dissly suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday night in the Chargers’ loss to the Chiefs, likely sidelining him for a couple of weeks.

Hayden Hurst is still on injured reserve with a hip injury and won’t be eligible to return until Week 16,

That means the next man up for Los Angeles’ tight end group will be Stone Smartt, who sits atop the depth chart for this upcoming game against the Buccaneers.

Smartt stepped up when Dissly went down in the second quarter in Week 13. He played 22 snaps and turned them into three receptions for 54 yards, providing a second-half offensive spark.

“Guy has an opportunity, it’s there. He’s been chipping away at it-gets it, excels,” Jim Harbaugh said on Smartt.

Smartt has primarily been a special teams player this season, but he’s made the most of his opportunities when he’s been on offense. He has caught six passes for 98 yards (16.3 yards per catch).

Who are the Chargers roster locks heading into the final preseason game?

Here is a look at who should have a spot on the 53-man roster heading into the final preseason game.

The Chargers travel to Dallas to meet the Cowboys for the final preseason game.

This will be the last time players vying for a spot on the roster to make their case to the coaching staff. And for a handful of players, their job security is safe.

Here is a look at who should have a spot on the 53-man roster heading into Saturday:

QB Justin Herbert

RB Gus Edwards

RB J.K. Dobbins

WR Joshua Palmer

WR Ladd McConkey

WR Quentin Johnston

WR D.J. Chark

WR Derius Davis

TE Will Dissly

TE Hayden Hurst

OT Rashawn Slater

OT Joe Alt

IOL Zion Johnson

IOL Trey Pipkins

IOL Bradley Bozeman

IOL Jamaree Salyer

IOL Jordan McFadden

IDL Poona Ford

IDL Morgan Fox

IDL Otito Ogbonnia

EDGE Joey Bosa

EDGE Khalil Mack

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu

LB Denzel Perryman

LB Junior Colson

LB Daiyan Henley

LB Nick Niemann

CB Asante Samuel Jr.

CB Kristian Fulton

CB Ja’Sir Taylor

CB Deane Leonard

S Derwin James

S Alohi Gilman

K Cameron Dicker

P JK Scott

LS Josh Harris

For better or for worse: Evaluating Chargers offense ahead of training camp

A quick rundown of each position on offense and whether the Chargers are better, worse or neutral at that spot.

The Chargers lost some key starters from last season but added a few in correspondence via free agency and the draft.

But how do they compare from the end of the 2023 regular season to now?

Let’s break it down by position, starting with the offense.

Quarterback

Offseason moves: Re-signed Easton Stick.

Summary: The Chargers are locked in with Justin Herbert. Herbert is coming off a down year, as he was hit with injuries to both hands, with his throwing hand being season-ending. Another year, another offense for Herbert, marking his fourth in five seasons in the league. Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman want to run the football, so it’ll be enticing to see how they design this offense to accomplish that and allow Herbert to flourish as a passer. They brought back Stick to serve as Herbert’s backup. Stick was the backup with zero experience as a starter until last season when Herbert was sidelined with his finger injury. Stick went on to start the final four games and finished with 1,129 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception while adding 144 rushing yards and a score on 27 carries.

Verdict: Same

Running Back

Offseason moves: Lost Austin Ekeler (signed with the Commanders). Signed Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins (previously with the Ravens). Drafted Kimani Vidal (sixth-round pick)

Summary: After playing with the Chargers for seven seasons, Ekeler departed and eventually reunited with former head coach Anthony Lynn, who is now Washington’s running backs coach. With the vision of the offense pounding the rock and wearing defenses on the ground, Los Angeles went out and got guys familiar with Roman’s gap/power scheme. Edwards is coming off a year where he set career highs in rushing yards (810) and touchdowns (13). Dobbins has struggled to stay healthy, but his most productive season came under Roman in 2020 when he rushed for 805 yards, nine scores and 6.0 yards per carry. Vidal was productive at Troy, rushing for 1,661 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns on 295 carries.

Verdict: Better

Wide Receiver

Offseason moves: Traded Keenan Allen (Bears). Lost Mike Williams (signed with the Jets). Drafted Ladd McConkey (second round), Cornelius Johnson and Brenden Rice (seventh round). Signed D.J. Chark (previously with the Panthers).

Summary: Once a strength of the Chargers, now the wide receiver room lacks top-end talent after the losses of Allen and Williams. Joshua Palmer has the most experience in the group, and he is expected to take a big step in his contract year. McConkey, who Los Angeles traded up for to get in Round 2, is expected to be a significant contributor in his rookie season. He and Herbert have already started to develop a rapport. The team is hopeful that Quentin Johnston can shake off his rough rookie campaign and provide the offense with a legitimate yards-after-the-catch threat. Chark hasn’t had a productive season since 2019 with the Jaguars when he earned Pro Bowl honors. He offers elite speed to serve as a vertical threat. Johnson and Rice will compete for roster spots.

Verdict: Worse

Tight End

Offseason moves: Lost Gerald Everett (signed with the Bears). Signed Will Dissly (previously with the Seahawks) and Hayden Hurst (previously with the Panthers).

Summary: In two seasons as a Charger, Everett was vital in the passing game with his yards-after-the-catch ability and clutchness on money downs. They found their replacement for Everett with Hurst, who played under Roman for two seasons in Baltimore. Hurst offers the upside as a receiver but can also block. In a new offense where blocking tight ends are integral, they signed one of the best in that department in Dissly. The offense hasn’t had a good blocking tight end since 2020. Parham returns for another season and should be reliable in the red zone with his 6-foot-8 frame.

Verdict: Better

Offensive line

Offseason moves: Lost Corey Linsley (likely to retire). Drafted Joe Alt (first round)

Summary: The Chargers felt the loss of Linsley throughout last season when he was sidelined with his heart issue. Filling Linsley’s void was arguably the most critical offseason move. They did so with Bozeman, who has seven years of starting experience and is familiar with Roman’s scheme, having played under him for four seasons. Los Angeles struck gold with Rashawn Slater. They hope they do the same with Joe Alt, who will start opposite Slater. Alt should make a difference in the run game from Day 1. Now it’s just a matter of how he holds up against NFL pass rushers. With Alt sliding in at right tackle, Trey Pipkins will move inside to right guard. Despite never playing the position, Pipkins has the athleticism, length and football IQ to make the transition seamless.

Verdict: Slightly better

Chargers offensive depth chart projection ahead of training camp

Our very early prediction for who will make the Chargers’ 53-man roster on the offensive side of the ball

The Chargers begin training camp in a few weeks to prepare for the start of the 2024 season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.

There, roster spots will be won and lost at The Bolt, the team’s brand new training facility in El Segundo, CA.

That said, here is my very early prediction for who will make the 53-man roster on the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback (2): Justin Herbert, Easton Stick

Misses the cut: Max Duggan, Casey Bauman

Running back (4): Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal, Ben Mason (FB)

Misses the cut: Isaiah Spiller, Elijah Dotson, Jaret Patterson

Wide receiver (6): Josh Palmer, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, D.J. Chark, Derius Davis, Brenden Rice

Misses the cut: Cornelius Johnson, Simi Fehoko, Jaelen Gill, Leon Johnson, Jaylen Johnson, Praise Olatoke

Tight end (3): Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst, Donald Parham Jr.

Misses the cut: Stone Smartt, Zach Heins, Luke Benson

Offensive line (9): Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Trey Pipkins, Joe Alt, Brenden Jaimes, Jamaree Salyer, Jordan McFadden, Alex Leatherwood

Misses the cut: Foster Sarell, Karsen Barnhart, Brent Liang, Willis Patrick, Tyler McLellan, Bucky Williams

Projecting the Chargers’ tight end depth chart in 2024

Taking a crack at projecting what the Los Angeles Chargers tight end room will look like entering the 2024 season.

Over the next few weeks ahead of training camp, I will continue to break down the depth chart for each Chargers position.

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Next, I project what the tight end room will look like heading into the 2024 season.

Will Dissly

Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman want an efficient running game, and signing Dissly was part of the process of achieving this goal. Dissly consistently ranked among Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded run-blocking tight ends, most recently finishing as the third-best behind George Kittle and Charlie Woerner in 2023. Dissly, a 2018 fourth-round pick out of the University of Washington, dealt with injuries in his first couple of seasons before becoming a key piece in the Seahawks’ offense. He started 55 of 62 games from 2020 to 2023. Dissly amassed 127 catches for 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns throughout his time in Seattle.

The Chargers continued their retooling of the positional group by signing Hurst. This is his fifth team since entering the league in 2018. He was initially drafted by the Ravens, spending two years with them, two with the Falcons and a season apiece with the Bengals (2022) and Panthers (2023). Hurst’s best season came with Atlanta, where he caught 56 passes for 571 yards and six touchdowns — all career-highs. When he played under Roman during his two-season stint with Baltimore, Hurst finished with his highest yards per reception marks of his career, 12.5 and 11.6, respectively. While Dissly will be used more exclusively as a blocker, Hurst will be a piece in the passing game.

Donald Parham Jr.

I have the Chargers starting the season with three tight ends, so there should be a battle for this spot between Parham, Smarrt and undrafted free agents Zach Heins and Luke Benson. But I give the nod to Parham. Parham has been dinged with injuries over the past couple of seasons, but when he is on the field he provides a big target with his 6-foot-8 frame, which especially comes in clutch in red-zone situations. Parham is also functional as a run blocker, as he can seal off edges.

PFF’s tight end rankings: Chargers’ Hayden Hurst makes the cut

Hayden Hurst was recognized as one of the top 32 tight ends in the NFL.

Even after upgrading the tight end position, the Chargers still don’t have a bonafide No. 1. However, one of the additions is worthy of being recognized among the top 32 in the NFL.

Pro Football Focus released their rankings and recognized Hayden Hurst as the No. 30 overall TE.

Hurst has bounced around the league the past four years and hopes to stay healthy in 2024 after missing the second half of 2023. After earning career highs in catches and yards in 2022, Hurst will look to bounce back in Los Angeles.

Hurst has been a bit of a journeyman. This will be his fifth team since entering the league in 2018. He was initially drafted by the Ravens, spending two years with them, two with the Falcons and a season apiece with the Bengals (2022) and Panthers (2023).

Hurst’s best season came with Atlanta, where he caught 56 passes for 571 yards and six touchdowns — all career-highs.

When he played under offensive coordinator Greg Roman during his two-season stint with Baltimore, Hurst finished with his highest yards per reception marks of his career, 12.5 and 11.6, respectively.

While his fellow teammate Will Dissly will be used more as a blocker, the Chargers hope to get Hurst to produce in the passing department this season.

ESPN’s Mike Clay projects Chargers’ 2024 offensive stats

ESPN’s Mike Clay takes a crack at projecting the production of the offensive side of the ball for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Mike Clay is an NFL and fantasy football analyst at ESPN who uses algorithms and formulas to project player and team stats prior to the regular season.

Clay revealed his offensive projections for the upcoming season.

Let’s take a look at how he believes the Chargers’ skill players will fare in 2024.

Quarterback

Player	C/A	Yards	TDs	INT	Carries	Yards	TDs
Justin Herbert	322/495	3,557	23	10	60	257	2
Easton Stick	39/64	423	3	2	8	37	0

Running back

Player	Carries	Yards	TDs	Targets	Receptions	Yards	TDs
J.K. Dobbins	154	769	4	44	34	241	1
Gus Edwards	180	762	6	22	17	134	1
Isaiah Spiller	42	174	1	8	6	40	0
Kimani Vidal	13	52	0	3	2	14	0

Wide receiver

Player	Targets	Receptions	Yards	Average	TDs	Carries	Yards
Ladd McConkey	98	63	797	12.7	5	2	14
Josh Palmer	82	53	630	11.9	4	0	0
Quentin Johnston	76	47	601	12.8	4	2	13
DJ Chark	70	38	567	14.9	5	0	0
Derius Davis	16	11	111	10.0	1	13	86
Brenden Rice	5	3	36	12.0	0	0	0

Tight end

Player	Targets	Receptions	Yards	Average	TDs
Hayden Hurst	60	41	393	9.6	3
Will Dissly	38	30	266	8.9	1
Stone Smartt	16	11	113	10.3	1
Donald Parham	5	4	36	9.0	0

Former Panthers WR DJ Chark reportedly signing with Chargers

Former Panthers WR DJ Chark is about to swim out west.

Do you think Bradley Bozeman and Hayden Hurst might’ve put a good word in for an old Carolina Panthers teammate?

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, receiver DJ Chark is set to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. The 27-year-old wideout played the 2023 campaign in Carolina.

Prior to landing in the Queen City, Chark spent his first four NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A second-round pick from the 2018 draft, the LSU product went on to amass 147 receptions for 2,042 yards and 15 touchdowns over 43 games in Duval.

Chark then signed on with the Detroit Lions in 2022, where he caught 30 balls for 502 yards and three scores over just 11 outings.

The Panthers reeled in Chark last March, to the tune of a one-year, $5 million pact. He appeared in 15 games for Carolina—totaling 11 starts, 35 catches, 66 targets, 525 receiving yards (second-most on the team) and five touchdowns.

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Former Panthers WR DJ Chark reportedly visits Chargers

The Chargers are reportedly trying to zero in on yet another former Panther.

Bradley Bozeman and Hayden Hurst might have themselves from familiar company out west pretty soon.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, wideout DJ Chark visited the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. The former Pro Bowler spent the 2023 campaign as a member of the Carolina Panthers.

Prior to landing in the Queen City for a year, Chark spent four of his NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A second-round pick from the 2018 draft, the Louisiana State University product went on to amass 147 receptions for 2,042 yards and 15 touchdowns over 43 games in Duval.

Chark then signed on with the Detroit Lions in 2022. His lone season there resulted in just 11 outings, in which he caught 30 balls for 502 yards and three scores.

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Andy Bischoff speaks on the state of the Chargers’ tight end room

Chargers tight ends coach Andy Bischoff had his first media availability on Monday.

Chargers tight ends coach Andy Bischoff had his first media availability on Monday, during which he spoke on the team’s tight ends and their current status.

First, he mentioned the signings of Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst.

When you start with [TE] Will [Dissly], you’re talking about one of the three guys in the league that can own the C-gap, period. There’s not many of them. This is a different kind of football league that we live in now. To have a tight end that can own the C-gap is rare. He’s one of those guys. You start with him and his ability to get that done for you and then, let’s not lose sight on what he can provide you in the passing game. This is a guy who catches the ball at a high percentage, in terms of his target-to-catch ratio, a guy that doesn’t drop the football and who protects the football, doesn’t fumble it.

Then, you have a guy in [TE] Hayden [Hurst] — to me, you have six guys in the league who everybody wants. You name the six, you go with [49ers TE George] Kittle, you say [Giants TE Darren] Waller. Name whoever you want. Everybody wants those six guys. There’s no reason that Hayden can’t be that next guy. There’s no reason. He has all the speed, all the hands, all the ability. Hayden just needs to find the right situation. We knew when we had him in 2019 that was the right situation for us. We couldn’t control where it went from there, but we love the guy. We’re nothing but happy to have this guy here. He will provide that athletic element to this offense that gives us an opportunity.

The Chargers made Dissly’s signing a priority on day one when the tampering period opened. Hurst followed very soon after that. Both will be critical blockers in Greg Roman’s scheme and LA expects Hurst to match his receiving output from earlier in his career. On the 2020 Falcons, Hurst had career highs in yards and touchdowns with 571 and six respectively.

Combining Bischoff’s comments with Hurst’s mention of the opportunity last week, it does seem that both sides think this is the right opportunity for a bounce-back season.

Bischoff also mentioned Donald Parham, Stone Smartt, and newly signed Ben Mason competing for spots. He mentioned Parham as still a “developing” player whose size they can use to their advantage. For Mason, it seems they view his usage in a tight end/fullback hybrid-type way adjacent to previous players’ usage in the past.

The way we’ve always done it in this system is that Ben is an ‘F’. In our offense, some will call him a fullback only. We don’t want to limit that. When we started with [Ravens FB Patrick] Pat [Ricard], he was an ‘F’. He turned into what he turned into. He actually started as a d-lineman and he turned into what he turned into. I was also fortunate enough to coach [49ers FB] Kyle Juszczyk, and he turned into what he turned into. You have this balance of guys. We’ll bring out the greatest strengths that Ben has to offer. We’ll also give other guys in the room the ability to compete for those spots. Not just limit to this is a fullback. They’re an ‘F’ in our room. They’ll function in every way they can to help us.