5 things for Los Angeles Chargers to be thankful for in 2018

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates his touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Mike Williams

Mike Williams was hurt before the team even started mini-camp last year. He was hurt all the time with multiple injuries. It looked like the Chargers’ first-round pick was going to be a dud. The word “bust” was thrown around at will when discussing wide receiver Mike Williams.

The Chargers needed him to step up in year two and that’s what he’s done. He’s caught 18 passes for 338 yards and five touchdowns and compared to last year, where he caught just 11 passes all season, those numbers (through nine games), look fantastic.

Williams can be a home-run hitter for the team as he is averaging 18.8 yards per catch. He has become a great complement to Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams and he has gained the confidence of Philip Rivers.

His resurgence came at a time when the team really needed it. When the team lost Hunter Henry to a torn ACL well before training camp, there wasn’t much of an effort made to replace him, unless you count the signing of a 38-year old Antonio Gates, who has looked every bit of his age this season.

The team trusted Williams as a guy they could use over the middle and in the red zone. He’s also provided a legitimate deep threat. If he can stay on the field, he will shed that “poor first-round pick” label that many, including me, gave him last year.

The Chargers are certainly thankful for his contributions this season.