LA Chargers: Three bold predictions for the receiving corps in 2020

3. Joe Reed has a bigger impact on the LA Chargers in 2020 than K.J. Hill

Heading out of the 2020 NFL Draft, the rookie receiver that Charger fans really seem to be fixated on is K.J. Hill, who was one of the best steals in the entire draft. Hill was graded as high as the fourth round prior to the draft and the fact that he fell to the seventh round is staggering.

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Plus, Hill spent most of his collegiate career playing in the slot and is Ohio State’s all-time leading receiver. He seemingly is a perfect fit for this offense, as he can fit in at the slot, which is what the Chargers need in 2020.

I don’t think it is that simple and when the year is overall, Joe Reed will be the rookie that has more overall production for the Bolts, not Hill.

There are two primary reasons for this school of thought. First, Reed is going to be a weapon in more than just the passing game. He was a fantastic special teams player in college and is going to be a dynamic punt and kick returner for the LA Chargers right away.

He is also the perfect player to utilize in gadget plays as he is so good with the ball in his hands in open space. End-arounds, screen passes and even lining up at running back is not out of the question.

The other reason is that it would be in the Chargers’ best interest to play Keenan Allen in the slot more in 2020. Allen is elite in the slot and that is just going to open up the field so much more for the offense, and with him in the slot, the team is going to need someone on the outside.

That someone is Joe Reed. While this likely won’t be the most common offensive scheme for the Chargers, I do think it is something the team should utilize more of and Reed is a much better fit on the outside than Hill.