Los Angeles Chargers: Former first-round receivers to target in free agency

3. Demaryius Thomas

Demaryius Thomas has definitely had a better, and longer, career than both Tavon Austin and Phillip Dorsett and the first-round selection on him could be justified. At this stage in his career, though, he is not much better of a signing than either Austin or Dorsett and would definitely fall into the cheap option category.

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Thomas signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots for the 2019 season but ultimately never played in New England as he was part of the team’s final roster cuts, which was surprising considering the Patriots needed weapons and Thomas was a veteran.

Thomas went on to sign with the New York Jets and while he did not have a spectacular year, he definitely would have been a welcomed addition to the Patriots after the team released Antonio Brown.

Thomas only played in 11 games in 2019 and hauled in 36 receptions for 433 yards and one touchdown. It might not seem all that impressive but across 16 games at the same pace, Thomas would have finished the year with 630 receiving yards, which again, is all the Chargers need out of the third receiver.

Thomas also did not have the best quarterback in the world in Sam Darnold, who has not been great through two seasons of his pro career. And while Tyrod Taylor is far from an elite passer, he is better than Darnold and along with the other weapons in the Chargers’ offense, Thomas will get more separation.

Thomas may be a veteran but he is still only 32 and while his best days are behind him he could still be a viable option in the passing game. The only potential problem with Thomas is that he is not a great fit in the slot, but Keenan Allen can more than handle his own in the slot and Thomas could be out wide more often than not with Mike Williams.

For the long-term, the Los Angeles Chargers should still draft a wide receiver. However, it would not hurt the team at all to bring in any of these former first-round picks.