Chargers Bubble Watch: TE Braedon Bowman
By Travis Wakeman
There is almost no debate that without Hunter Henry, the thinnest position on the Los Angeles Chargers’ roster is at tight end.
So where does the team turn without Henry? This is a question we have been asking for months, as has most fans of the team. Could Braedon Bowman be the answer to that question?
If you’re wondering who that is, don’t feel bad. A 6’4″ tight end out of South Alabama, Bowman went undrafted in 2016. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars and after being released by them, had short stints with both the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.
Despite the Chargers being his fourth NFL team, Bowman is still looking to make an impact of any kind. But because of Henry’s injury, he stands as good a chance as anyone on the roster of being the team’s pass-catching tight end this season.
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That’s because the only other tight ends on the roster are Sean Culkin, Cole Hunt, Ben Johnson and Austin Roberts. Every one of those guys is an undrafted player.
That list doesn’t include Virgil Green, who can catch some passes, but will be used more in the run game as a blocker.
So really, all of those other tight ends are on the bubble. Which one will emerge as the guy to replace Henry for this season. Or will the team turn back to the legendary Antonio Gates? During a radio appearance, general manager Tom Telesco mentioned that bringing Gates back is still a possibility.
But let’s suppose that deal doesn’t get done. Let’s suppose Telesco decides to roll with the guys he has. Which one is the favorite to get the most snaps? Many fans may say Bowman.
Bowman definitely has the most NFL experience as Hunt, Johnson and Roberts were all undrafted free agents brought in this spring. That should give Bowman a small advantage.
One of these guys will have to create some chemistry with Philip Rivers or they’re bound to ride the pine or try to get reps as practice squad players. But at least one of them should emerge to make the final 53-man roster.
Which one will it be?