The Chargers need to figure out who will compliment Keenan Allen while Mike Williams is out.
The Chargers could be without wide receiver Mike Williams for the entire month of September after he sprained his shoulder on a diving catch during last Sunday’s practice.
Now that Williams likely won’t be in the starting lineup for the next few weeks, Los Angeles not only needs to figure out who will be the third wide receiver on the depth chart, but the second wideout in the meantime.
It might be a difficult task to replace the third-year player considering the depth chart is filled with a handful of unproven wide receivers in the starting role.
The player who will get the first crack is Jalen Guyton. Prior to Williams’ injury, Guyton was the frontrunner for WR3. Though Guyton doesn’t have the size or physicality that Williams possesses, he has the speed (4.35 40-yard dash) to give quarterback Tyrod Taylor a deep option on the outside.
The player who I think has the next best chance to fill the role is rookie Joe Reed. Reed has the dense build and physical nature to win the down the field in that role.
The Chargers have been using him in a variety of roles, including running back. But he has the skillset to succeed as a deep option. In 2018, Reed turned 37 targets into 25 receptions for 465 yards and seven touchdowns (67.6 percent catch rate).
Next in line who will have a crack to fill Williams’ shoes are Darius Jennings, Jason Moore and Tyron Johnson, along with rookie K.J. Hill.
Jennings is entering his fourth season. He has 27 catches for 235 yards during his professional career. However, he has been used primarily as a return specialist.
Moore had two receptions for 43 yards in 2019. He appeared in 10 games last season with most of his experience coming on special teams. Moore is a big receiver who uses his frame well, similar to Williams.
Johnson spent time on the practice squad in 2019. He has been praised by the coaching staff, and coach Anthony Lynn said that he has the speed they are looking for.
Lastly is Hill. The team’s seventh-round pick has been making plays all throughout camp thus far, getting open and catching everything thrown his way. Hill’s lack of speed likely warrants him to slot role, but he could find his way on the field if Keenan Allen was to play on the outside.
I predict Guyton to fill in for Williams, and the battle for WR3 will be a tight competition which will be determined during the rest of camp.
