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Chargers: Top 10 best players in the 2019 season

By Alexander Insdorf

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 27: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with Derek Watt #34 after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 27: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with Derek Watt #34 after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Hunter Henry #86 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a two-yard touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter of an NFL football game at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Hunter Henry #86 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a two-yard touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter of an NFL football game at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Top Ten Chargers of 2019: Hunter Henry and Derek Watt

8. Hunter Henry

It felt like things were pretty dire one game into Hunter Henry‘s 2019. Henry suffered a tibial plateau fracture in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts and it felt like everything was doomed in terms of him having his comeback year from the torn ACL in 2018.

Fortunately, it ended up not being the case.  Henry had the most receiving yards in his career despite playing four fewer games and had over 50 yards per game.

Henry also got an increased target share and made the most of it by pulling those receptions down. His blocking seemed improved and there seemed to be more dependence on him as a safety valve, like Antonio Gates used to be as a Charger. My personal favorite Henry play came against the Chiefs:

Jones draws the attention of three separate Chargers blockers on this play. The LG, C, and RB all touch him at some point to slow down his rush. Circus catch by Hunter Henry needs to be intercepted or knocked down. pic.twitter.com/tBm8L7l7Jv

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 1, 2020

2020 New Year’s Resolution: A new contract, but more importantly, staying healthy for a shot at a 16-game season, which would be the first in his career.

7. Derek Watt

Derek Watt built on a great 2018 by playing even more of an expanded role. Special teams is the main reason he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate, tied for the most special teams tackles in the league at 16.

Out of the top five in that category, he was the only offensive player. Whenever Watt received double-digit snaps on offense, the Chargers seemed to roll.

His use on the goal line proved vital at times, even getting his first touchdown in his career, which was a fun moment vs. Jacksonville. Austin Ekeler and Melvin Gordon might need to send him the same watches Lamar Jackson got for his offensive line with how much his blocking helped.

Another moment that deserves appreciation from Watt in 2019 was when he even played some tight end early in the season during games when Henry was out.

2020 New Year’s Resolution: More involvement in the offense from game to game, potentially some snaps at tight end behind Henry.

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