Solving the Chargers’ need for speed
By Steven Haglund
Step two: Sign a veteran wideout on the cheap
While many fans would want the team to use a good portion of their cap space on a guy like Robby Anderson, and yes he would be a great fit, the team should be wise with their cap space and keep in mind that Allen and Williams will be due extensions soon.
Both have earned that right and should be a part of the team’s long term future. With those two contracts to worry about in the future, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to give a guy like Anderson his desired $10 million a year contract.
What does make sense though is negotiating with a select group of veterans who can be acquired on the cheap. The target profile here is someone who is a speed specialist, essentially looking for someone like Benjamin but cheaper and less inconsistent.
Demarcus Robinson of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a lot of sense here. Thanks to his play he could be a bit more expensive than some of the other guys I’ll mention here.
The deep threat’s value is estimated to be between five to seven million dollars per year, which is much more manageable than Anderson’s. Coming off a career-high 449 yards for the Super Bowl champs he could certainly be viewed as someone who in the right situation could become a solid number two option for a team, but that’s a bit of a reach for someone whose career-high isn’t even more than 500 yards.
Taking a shot on his speed at that estimated contract could be worth it.
On the off chance that someone desperate for wide receiver help throws much more than that at Robinson, there are other cheap options that could help out here. The recently released Taylor Gabriel would be perfect.
Gabriel is coming off a season in which he was constantly hampered by injuries with the Chicago Bears, but in 2018 he showed us what kind of player he can be when fully healthy. That season he totaled 688 yards on 67 catches.
With the weapons the Chargers already have, they don’t need another guy to come in and be a target machine, instead a player like Gabriel who can produce 600-700 yards while stretching the field vertically would be perfect.
.@NFL @TGdadon1 is on the street; but for how long. A whole lot of skill and speed and makes your receiving better today! Do your homework! I believe in TG. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/Gk8IKMeYGz
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) February 22, 2020
Other guys that fit this mold include David Moore by way of Seattle, who would be a very good option. He has one of the highest yards per reception clip of any free agent wideout at 17.7 yards. He could also provide some competition at the main punt returner spot, which he showed he can do this past year with the Seahawks.
Tajae Sharpe has had an up and down career with Tennessee and could be on his way out there. Even he would be a big help as a vertical threat down the field.
The same goes for guys like Rashard Higgins and Trevor Davis. While none of these guys are terribly well known I believe it could be worth taking a shot on them because they would be on affordable contracts and they each bring a lot of speed to the table.