LA Chargers: Looking at tight end options beyond 2020

Tight end option two: Let Henry walk, extend Donald Parham

Assuming the price tag for Henry is more than the LA Chargers would like to agree to, they may have already signed their tight end of the future. The team signed the XFL’s premier tight end Donald Parham Jr. of the Dallas Renegades to a two-year deal worth $1.4 million. Parham had 24 receptions for 307 yards and four touchdowns in five games before the XFL season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Parham to me is a player with a low floor (who has the potential to be released at any point in the season) but who absolutely has the potential and pure athleticism to be a great starting tight end in the league. At only 22 years old, the XFL was exactly what a player like Parham needed to show off his talent and ability to NFL front offices.

At six foot eight and 240 pounds, Donald Parham possesses pure mismatch size whether lined up against opposing linebackers or defensive backs. Being too fast for linebackers but too tall and strong for cornerbacks could leave potential for an absolute pass-catching machine in a Chargers offense that is poised to get better in the near future.

It is going to be extremely interesting to see how a player like Parham will be used this upcoming season with the Chargers. If Henry goes down for a few games with an injury (hopefully that is not the case), Parham could absolutely flourish if given consistent first-team snaps. Seeing him in a backup role will also provide some insight into whether that size mismatch will translate as well into the NFL.

The Chargers could have their diamond in the rough in Donald Parham Jr. and only time will tell if that is the case. If he is as good as his potential leads me to believe he can be, he may certainly be able to carry the load for the Chargers in the future. Extending Parham for four years, at around $16 million could be an Austin Ekeler level steal of a contract when all is said and done.