15 Chargers who benefit from veteran player rest this offseason

Chargers beneficiaries: Tight end and wide receiver

Resting: TE Hunter Henry

Benefits: TE Sean Culkin

Hunter Henry isn’t exactly a veteran in the way Okung or Rivers are, but his snaps are likely to be monitored even if he is already back from his ACL tear. The Chargers may not have Antonio Gates back this season, but even if he returns it is unlikely he will play much, if at all, in the offseason. Enter Sean Culkin:

Well good morning! Here's Rivers best throw from yesterday & this catch will go straight into Sean Culkin's highlight reel. Greatest (first) catch he's ever made pic.twitter.com/BvP9IV0ZcV

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) November 26, 2018

Culkin functions as both a run-blocking tight end and H-back, occasionally being sent out for a route. Having caught just one pass in the regular season, he could stand to gain more experience as a pass-catcher. Hunter Henry is superior to all tight ends on the roster as a receiver, but it could help the offense to have another multi-talented tight end.

Resting: WR Keenan Allen and WR Mike Williams

Benefits: WR Artavis Scott, WR Geremy Davis, and WR Dylan Cantrell

After Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, there is no definitive third wide receiver. Travis Benjamin could be listed as the WR3 on the depth chart, but in no way should the franchise expect him to be the third-most productive or targeted receiver. Artavis Scott, Geremy Davis, and Dylan Cantrell all are vying to fill the void left by the departure of Tyrell Williams in free agency. Each provides their own combination of skill set and experience, and at least two of them should make the active roster this season. Allen is more likely to have veteran rest than Williams, but any opening for an outside wide receiver to demonstrate why he belongs with the starting rotation is invaluable for these three young players.