San Diego Chargers: Full Position Breakdown and Depth-Chart Analysis at WR
The San Diego Chargers are better off at receiver than they were last year.
A couple of free-agent signings during the offseason helped get them to that point, but the improvement of a young player or two has also contributed to the overall depth. The Bolts depended solely on three wideouts last season, but the changes made to the roster could open the door for two or possibly three more to add on.
Here is a full breakdown of San Diego's pass-catchers for the 2015 season.
Keenan Allen
1 of 11
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 211 pounds
Experience: Third season
Allen was unable to sustain the production he put forth as a rookie into his second season, but as he told reporters during a post-OTAs news conference, it wasn't a sophomore slump, at least not in his eyes. To be fair, Allen still put up some decent numbers despite missing the final two games of the season with a broken collarbone. He actually had more receptions (77) than he did his rookie year (71).
But as the No. 1 receiver, Allen is determined to hold himself to a higher standard, which he discussed with Chargers.com managing editor Ricky Henne. "My focus this offseason was just getting back to the basics," Allen said. "Focusing on fundamentals and doing what I do. Playing my ball and not trying to do too much."
A new wrinkle of the Chargers offense in 2015 could feature Allen in the slot more. His smooth route running and good hands are a perfect match for the role, and he's more than willing to do what's needed.
"I will definitely do whatever is best for the team, and that could mean more in the slot," he said. "That would be good. Stevie (Johnson) and I can do some work there, so I will try to do the best I can be."
Malcom Floyd
2 of 11
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 225 pounds
Experience: 12th season
Floyd has spent a little more than a decade in a Chargers uniform, but at long last the 34-year-old has decided to call it quits at the conclusion of the 2015 season, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Many believed 2013 would be his last season after he suffered a possible career-threatening neck injury, but Floyd proved his critics wrong with a solid performance in 2014. He tied career highs in both receiving yards (856) and touchdowns (six).
And while this season is officially the farewell tour for M-80, nobody is expecting him to mail it in now. Floyd has long been known to lay out for the difficult catch, and that won't change even at his age. He'll continue his efforts to spread the field and test corners downfield, especially on 50-50 balls.
Stevie Johnson
3 of 11
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 207 pounds
Experience: Eighth season
Getting the opportunity to play with an elite quarterback such as Philip Rivers doesn't come around often, which is why Johnson isn't taking it for granted in the slightest.
"It’s a good feeling," he told reporters during a news conference, according to Chargers.com. "Sometimes I feel like, ‘Man, I wish I had (him) earlier in my career.’ But it is what it is. You’ve just got to take care of your body, and make sure you can stay because it’s a hell of an opportunity to be playing with this quarterback. You’ve just got to take advantage of it."
Johnson wasn't able to take advantage of his time with the San Francisco 49ers last season mainly because they chose not to use him. That won't happen in San Diego, as he is expected to fill the role at slot receiver left behind by Eddie Royal.
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Jacoby Jones
4 of 11
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 215 pounds
Experience: Ninth season
Jones is the spark San Diego had been missing from the return game, and judging from what he's managed to accomplish the last couple of seasons with Baltimore, he is just as elusive as ever. Jones returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in three seasons with the Ravens and averaged just over 30 yards during that span.
Providing the offense with plus field position will be at the top of Jones' list of responsibilities on game days, but there is a slight chance he may contribute as a receiver as well. His speed allows for some creativity on offense.
Dontrelle Inman
5 of 11
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 205 pounds
Experience: Second season
Inman came into his own during the final two games of the 2014 season, during which the Chargers were without the services of Allen. He totaled 79 yards in catches in each of those appearances but was especially clutch in San Diego's comeback victory over the 49ers.
The Chargers didn't do Inman any favors by adding veterans to the receiving corps in Johnson and Jones, but he should be considered the fifth receiver on the active roster.
Austin Pettis
6 of 11
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 203 pounds
Experience: Fifth season
Pettis, a third-round selection of the St. Louis Rams in 2011, has failed to catch more than 38 passes in a season, but that hasn't stalled his efforts to get into the end zone. He amassed nine receiving touchdowns over the last three seasons with the Rams, but after five games in 2014 they chose to release him, and the Chargers elected to make a play for the former Boise State product.
Pettis told Henne of Chargers.com he is absolutely motivated to prove himself after the Rams let him go so soon. With his experience, he could be more than just a camp body.
Torrence Allen
7 of 11
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 183 pounds
Experience: Second season
The other Allen not named Keenan in the Chargers organization flashed during OTAs, according to Eric Williams of ESPN.com. His chances of making the active roster are not strong, given the depth at the receiver position, but Allen is a project player the team can continue to build up on the practice squad, which is where he spent all of last season.
Javontee Herndon
8 of 11
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 194 pounds
Experience: Second season
Herndon was on the rise last training camp, per Gehlken of the San Diego-Union Tribune, but a new season brings added competition to the mix. The former Arkansas standout stayed on with the Chargers as a member of the practice squad in 2014 but never got the call up to the big leagues.
Herndon will attempt to regain the form he played with during camp of last year and put it toward winning a spot on the roster. The Chargers have more than enough receivers, but there are still holes to fill on special teams.
Titus Davis
9 of 11
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200 pounds
Experience: Rookie
Davis could follow along a similar path to that of another former Central Michigan star in Jahleel Addae, who made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Davis' production in college was phenomenal, as he set school records in both receiving yards (3,700) and receiving touchdowns (37). Of course, the Mid-American Conference isn't brimming with top competition in the nation, but we can't ignore what Davis accomplished in his time at CMU.
If the Chargers choose to keep more than five receivers on the active roster, Davis could be in the running to make the cut as the No. 6, assuming he can successfully translate his skill set from college to the NFL.
Statistics courtesy of Central Michigan Athletics.
Demetrius Wilson
10 of 11
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 185 pounds
Experience: Rookie
Wilson caught 17 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown in 12 games. He missed the previous year for Arkansas with a torn ACL. He is the second Razorbacks receiver to sign on as an undrafted free agent under Tom Telesco. Herndon was the first in 2014.
Arkansas isn't known for throwing the ball a lot, so Wilson doesn't have the ideal resume to crack the starting rotation anytime soon, but he may be a fit for the practice squad, much like his former teammate.
Stats courtesy of Arkansas Athletics.
Tyrell Williams
11 of 11
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 205 pounds
Experience: Rookie
Speed and size—Williams possesses both, and yet he wound up playing his ball at a Division-II school. Western Oregon did not hold a pro day for Williams to showcase his abilities, but he did participate at Oregon State's pro day, where he posted a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash and a 39.5" vertical. His time in the three-cone drill (6.55) was also impressive.
As Nick O'Malley of Masslive.com pointed out, Williams would have been the top performer in the three-cone drill at the scouting combine.
Williams is quite the physical specimen but has a ways to go in order to step out from under his small-school shadow.
Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com.
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