Tag: Josh Palmer

Chargers training camp: WR Josh Palmer has impressive showing

Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer looks the part on Day 4 of training camp.

Tyron Johnson earned the spotlight on Friday at Chargers training camp and while he put together another solid outing on Saturday, it was rookie Josh Palmer who drew the majority of the attention with a few eye-popping plays.

The first one was a catch made along the boundary from a pass thrown by quarterback Chase Daniel, as Palmer showed tracking and leaping ability and body control to reel the football and stay in bounds.

The next came during 11-on-11, as Palmer got open on a crossing route and QB Justin Herbert found him wide open down the field and he was able to run loose for a few more yards before being touched.

Aside from Keenan Allen, Palmer and Johnson have been the most impressive out of the receiver group thus far.

Given the fact that offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi goes through a lot of different personnel packages depending on the defense they’re up against, Palmer will have his fair share of opportunities.

With his ability to separate at all levels of the field and reliable hands, Palmer could quickly establish himself as a viable target this upcoming season.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Days 3 & 4

Some footage from Chargers training camp on Friday and Saturday.

The Chargers continued training camp on Friday and Saturday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free if you are able to snag some tickets here, but if you’re unable to attend, you will still be informed of all the action throughout the course of it.

I will have coverage of training camp with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members in attendance along with fan posts.

Chargers training camp: WR Tyron Johnson picking up where he left off

Chargers WR Tyron Johnson has the opportunity to be a top pass-catching option this season.

Chargers wide receiver Tyron Johnson emerged as one of the team’s top pass-catching options last season, averaging 19.9 yards per carry.

With an opportunity to see an uptick in targets this upcoming season, Johnson has continued to raise some eyebrows in the early going of training camp.

Today, he and quarterback Justin Herbert connected for a 70-yard touchdown, something similar to last year, as four of his first five receptions in went for 50 yards or more.

This season, Johnson’s skill set coupled with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s philosophy of enforcing different personnel packages depending on the defenses they’re facing, could lead to high production.

When the team wants speed and a sound route-runner on the field, Johnson is their guy.

With that being said, Johnson has the opportunity to become heavily targeted in 2021 after having a full season and offseason together, and it’s good to see the two picking up where they left off.

WR Josh Palmer inks rookie deal with Chargers, 2 remain unsigned

One of the Los Angeles Chargers’ third-round pick officially signed

Wide receiver Josh Palmer is officially a Charger.

Palmer, the team’s third-round pick, signed his rookie contract on Friday. The wideout out of Tennessee was the No. 77 overall selection, and the first of two players chosen by Los Angeles.

With Palmer signing, seven of the the Bolts’ nine picks have now officially signed with the team. First-round pick Rashawn Slater and the other third rounder Tre’ McKitty are the only ones who have yet to sign.

Slater joins quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Trey Lance is the only first rounders who remain unsigned.

Slater not being signed yet may draw some concern, but when considering the Chargers didn’t sign last year’s first rounder Justin Herbert until July 26, there’s should not be anything to overthink.

I expect both Slater and McKitty to ink their rookie deals sooner than later. Even if it isn’t prior to the start of training camp this week, expect them to still be in attendance based on the fact that they both attended minicamp and OTAs.

Chargers 2021 Training Camp Position Battles: How will wide receiver room shape up?

Assessing one of the more compelling positions to watch at Chargers training camp.

The Chargers head into camp with the wide receiver room being one of the deeper positions on the rosters, with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams leading the pack.

This season, Allen and Williams can be one of the better 1-2 punches under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, but the team still needs to identify their compliments.

Below them on the depth chart, Tyron Johnson, Jalen Guyton and rookie Josh Palmer are all trying to prove themselves to the new coaching staff.

Last season, Johnson amassed 20 receptions for 398 yards (19.9 yards per reception) and three touchdowns, with zero drops. Four of his first five receptions in the NFL went for 50 yards or more.

While he managed to put up decent production in his role, with 28 catches for 511 yards (18.3 yards per catch) and three scores, Guyton had six drops, and wasn’t quite as efficient as Johnson.

Palmer didn’t put up gaudy stats at Tennessee, never topping 500 receiving yards in a season due to playing in an offense that did him no favors, but he was a four-year contributor with a polished skill set and impressive size for this league.

However, unlike most teams, Los Angeles won’t likely have a bonafide No. 3 wideout.

The reason for that is because Lombardi’s offense is heavily predicated on matchups. Therefore, different receivers will consistently be rotating in depending on the defensive personnel they’re facing.

If speed is needed, one of Johnson or Guyton will be on the field. If the team needs another physical presence and someone who can get open with their route-running skills, they will roll with Palmer.

Either way, I expect all three to get a fair share of snaps this season.

The Chargers could head into the season with just Allen, Williams, Johnson, Guyton and Palmer, but they might elect to go in with six, which means there will be a battle on the back end for the last spot with Joe Reed, K.J. Hill, John Hurst, Jason Moore, Austin Proehl.

Reed, the team’s fifth-round draft pick of last year and Hill, the seventh rounder, are the presumed ones to beat.

Reed didn’t have many opportunities on offense. Instead, he served primarily as the kick returner. While he didn’t get to prove himself much, Reed’s special teams experience and versatility to work as a receiver and out of the backfield could be his selling point.

Hill, on the other hand, got more time on the field than Reed, but his productivity was nothing to boast about. He posted seven catches on 11 targets for 73 yards. In addition, Hill served as the team’s punt returner.

Proehl is another guy who could emerge. Signed this offseason, this will mark his fifth team since entering the league in 2018. With his surprising speed, ability to get open in all three areas of the field, competitiveness and special teams upside, Proehl might earn a spot.

Poll: Should Chargers extend WR Mike Williams?

Is the big-bodied wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers worth a contract extension?

The Chargers have a few big-name wide receivers set to hit the free agency market next year, and among the crop is wide receiver Mike Williams.

Williams, who’s set to be due $15.7 million in 2021 after having his fifth-year option picked up last year, will have the third-highest cap hit of any player on the roster.

Rather than waiting until next year to re-sign Williams, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski believes that Los Angeles should extend him before the new season begins.

Sobleski highlights that L.A. should take a long-term approach by making sure quarterback Justin Herbert has the talent around him to excel for the foreseeable future.

Would the Chargers be wise to extend Williams? At the moment, you can make the argument for both sides.

You can make the case that he is not worth extending because Williams has not played like a first rounder, failing to surpass 50 catches, has just seven touchdowns over the past two seasons and has dealt with a slew of injuries along the way.

On top of that, the Chargers have ascending talent in Tyron Johnson and Jalen Guyton, as well as a promising rookie in Josh Palmer. Not to mention, there’s plenty of wideouts in next year’s draft who could offer plenty of upside to fill that role.

On the other hand, Williams is well-liked as a person, is one of the hardest workers on the team, comes up in clutch situations and there is plenty of reason to believe that he could experience his best season to date, given the new system and how it favors the role that he will be playing.

With that being said, I want to know what you all think. Click and vote in the poll below.

Projecting the Chargers’ wide receiver depth chart in 2021

The Los Angeles Chargers have a lot of talent at the wide receiver position.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be breaking down the depth chart at each position for the Chargers.

Quarterback

Running Back

Next up, I project what the wide receivers room will look like heading into the 2021 season.

WR1: Keenan Allen

Still not given the respect that he deserves, Allen has proven himself as one of the league’s most efficient receivers. Allen has averaged 100 receptions and over 1,000 receiving yards over the past four seasons, with Pro Bowl appearances coming in each one of them. As long as he stays healthy, the crafty route-runner will remain as one of quarterback Justin Herbert’s go-to targets in the upcoming season.

WR2: Mike Williams

Since being selected in the first-round of the 2017 NFL draft, Williams has yet to live up to that status. While he has delivered in clutch situations as a big-play threat throughout the years, Williams has failed to surpass 50 catches, has just seven touchdowns over the past two seasons and has dealt with a injuries along the way. That could change in 2021, as Williams is expected to be an integral piece in Joe Lombardi’s offense as the ‘X’ receiver, which is the same role that was held by one of the league’s best wideouts, Saints’ Michael Thomas.

WR3: Tyron Johnson

This is where the battle begins. There are a handful of players fighting for the final spots, but basing it off of last season, Johnson is the front-runner for the job. Proven as a reliable option behind the two starters, Johnson amassed 20 receptions for 398 yards (19.9 yards per reception) and three touchdowns, with zero drops. Four of his first five receptions in the NFL went for 50 yards or more. In a way, Johnson reminds me of former Saints’ Brandin Cooks, who Lombardi spent a few seasons with. They are solid route runners, have speed to take the top off a defense and have reliable hands.

WR4: Jalen Guyton

Guyton entered the 2020 season as the third wide receiver. While he managed to put up decent production in his role, with 28 catches for 511 yards (18.3 yards per catch) and three scores, Guyton had six drops, and wasn’t quite as efficient as Johnson. While Guyton’s speed should still have some value, Johnson has the leg up on him because his hands are more superior and he’s a better route-runner.

WR5: Josh Palmer

Drafted in the third-round out of Tennessee, Palmer will be in contention for the third spot alongside Johnson and Guyton. However, since this is a projection for the first week of the season, Palmer’s inexperience in the league will start him off lower on the depth chart. Nonetheless, with his ability to separate at all levels of the field, especially vertically, Palmer could quickly receive more playing time as the year goes down, especially considering that Lombardi goes through a lot of different personnel packages.

WR6: Joe Reed

The first five receivers listed are the presumed locks to make the 53-man roster. Assuming the team rolls with six wideouts, the final spot is a battle between five players: K.J. Hill, John Hurst, Jason Moore, Austin Proehl and Reed. Reed, the team’s fifth-round pick of last year’s draft, didn’t have many opportunities on offense. Instead, he was relegated to a return specialist, but was dethroned by Nasir Adderley in that role later in the season. While he didn’t get to prove himself much, Reed’s special teams experience and versatility to work as a receiver and out of the backfield could be the selling point to Lombardi and company.

Chargers rookie WR Josh Palmer talks adjustment to NFL

Chargers rookie Josh Palmer talks about what’s different from his college offense to now in Joe Lombardi’s system.

With their one of their two third-round draft picks, the Chargers selected wide receiver Josh Palmer.

During an interview with Go Vols of 247 Sports, Palmer was asked about how the jump from the college level to the NFL has been for him.

A huge thing would definitely be the playbook. Not necessarily the content, because a lot of it was fairly similar to what I experienced at Tennessee, just the verbiage is really different. But it’s a lot more attention-to-details, being attentive to your splits, knowing exactly where you have to be, getting all of your depth, knowing the quarterback’s drops, knowing how much time that you have, everything.

One of the biggest things is just the huddle. I’m not used to a huddle, because I was used to a signal at Tennessee. But the biggest difference between that is the speed of how fast they say the call in the huddle. I think that would be the hardest thing, is just listening very closely to what you have and what the play is, because they only say the play one time, so you better hear it the first time.

As the Volunteers’ leading receiver in 2020, Palmer amassed 33 receptions for 475 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games with four starts. During his collegiate career, he caught 99 passes for 1,514 yards (15.3 yards per catch) with seven touchdowns.

In Year 1, he will be in the mix for snaps. Given the fact that offensive coordinator Joe Lombard goes through a lot of different personnel packages, Palmer will have his fair share of opportunities, with potential to grow into a large role.

With his ability to separate at all levels of the field, especially vertically, Palmer could quickly become one of quarterback Justin Herbert’s favorite targets this upcoming season and beyond.

Owning Chargers WR Tyron Johnson in fantasy leagues could pay dividends

Chargers wide receiver Tyron Johnson could be a sneaky good pickup.

Fantasy football drafts are still months away, but many are doing early homework on players in hopes of constructing a championship caliber roster.

The Chargers have a couple intriguing options in quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but WR Tyron Johnson could be a sneaky option to store away.

After not playing in his first season, Johnson, the undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State, established himself as a reliable pass-catching option behind Williams and Allen in Year 2.

In 12 games, Johnson amassed 20 receptions for 398 yards (19.9 yards per reception) and three touchdowns, with zero drops. Four of his first five receptions in the NFL went for 50 yards or more.

When Herbert threw the ball to Johnson, he yielded a 156.7 passer rating, just a hair shy of a perfect mark, according to Pro Football Focus.

Heading into the 2021 season, Johnson will be a part of a position group that returns Jalen Guyton, who had 28 catches for 511 yards and three scores last year, along with the addition of Josh Palmer, the team’s third-round selection.

Johnson has the leg up on Guyton because his hands are more superior and he’s a better route-runner and he simply has more experience than Palmer. Therefore, that could lead to extended playing time.

The bottom line is that Johnson has the opportunity to become one of Herbert’s top targets this season because he has earned his trust and he does well in both the intermediate and deep parts of the field, where the signal-caller is pinpoint precise.

In a way, Johnson reminds me of former Saints’ Brandin Cooks, who offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi spent a few seasons with. Johnson and Cooks are solid route runners, they have speed to take the top off a defense and they have reliable hands.

Will Johnson be used in a similar fashion? Only time will tell, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Lombardi attempts to utilize him in that same way.

Chargers WR Josh Palmer listed as ‘most dangerous new weapon’ in 2021

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identified the Los Angeles Chargers’ most dangerous new weapon.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox listed each NFL team’s newest weapon by using factors like physical potential, proven production, scheme fit and projected role.

For the Chargers, Knox tabbed rookie wide receiver Josh Palmer as the team’s “most dangerous new weapon.”

While Palmer didn’t compile gaudy statistics in college—he never topped 500 receiving yards in a season—he was a four-year contributor with a polished skill set and impressive size (6’1″, 210 lbs).

Palmer shined at this year’s Senior Bowl where he matched up against other future NFL competitors.

While Palmer may not have the raw impact of additions like [Rashawn] Slater, his pro readiness could make him a dangerous complementary target from day one.

Palmer never produced eye-popping production at Tennessee due to the fact that he played alongside two current NFL wide receivers for two seasons and the team’s ongoing quarterback problems.

Palmer, the 6-foot-1 and 210 pounder, ran mostly vertical routes in the Vol’s offense and rarely got targeted because of it. On top of that, 31% of his targets were uncatchable.

However, when he was targeted with a catchable ball, Palmer shined against some elite college corners, including Jaycee Horn, Patrick Surtain II, Tyson Campbell, Eric Stokes and Kelvin Joseph.

Now on a team with a competent quarterback in Justin Herbert, Palmer is definitely in a position to be more productive in the NFL than he was in college.

In Year 1, he will be in the mix for snaps. Given the fact that offensive coordinator Joe Lombard goes through a lot of different personnel packages, Palmer will have his fair share of opportunities, with potential to grow into a large role.

With his ability to separate at all levels of the field, especially vertically, Palmer could quickly become one of Herbert’s go-to targets this upcoming season and beyond.