Chargers: Grading the wide receiver group through four games

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs past cornerback Johnathan Joseph #24 of the Houston Texans and runs for a touchdown in the second quarter at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs past cornerback Johnathan Joseph #24 of the Houston Texans and runs for a touchdown in the second quarter at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
4 of 4
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 08: Geremy Davis #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers laughs with teammates on the sideline during the first half of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 08: Geremy Davis #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers laughs with teammates on the sideline during the first half of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

Chargers Receiver Grades: How the group can improve and final grade

How the group can improve

The simplest answer on paper to this question is health. If Inman and Williams recover fairly quickly, this core will be fine. A reminder that Dylan Cantrell is also on IR. The other part of the equation is that there simply has to be some adjustments to playing time and snap counts based on performance.

Benjamin has to be held accountable for all of his drops that resulted in missed plays. He also makes bad plays that result in losses at the wrong time, like his five-yard catch for loss against Houston.

Patton and Davis getting more reps over Benjamin is where this eventually needs to go. There’s also the possibility of signing a current free agent, like the recently released Michael Crabtree.

Allen can only do so much for the offense without the team getting others involved, as has been evidenced in the two Chargers losses this year. The group has to heal up and the coaching staff must only give snaps to those who will be productive.

Final Grade

Currently, the Chargers’ receiving corps is good enough for now but needs to be better down the stretch for a playoff run. Health is the biggest issue, but it isn’t the only one.

Benjamin’s play holds the unit back while the team is hesitant to play practice squad receivers the team has developed over the years. Inman and Williams need to be healthy while the Chargers find another receiver to count on.

Grade: B

Schedule