Certain LA Chargers players are hurt by a virtual offseason more than others.
The NFL, and the rest of the world for that matter, are in truly unprecedented times and the league has taken precaution and implemented a virtual offseason. While the status of the world and what is doable changes by the day, there is a concern that this could carry into OTAs and training camp, which would not be ideal.
Every team would be at a disadvantage, although some teams would have less of a burden than others. Established, contending teams with years of experience under their belt (like the Kansas City Chiefs) are less affected than a team that is undergoing a quarterback change (like the LA Chargers).
There are players on the Chargers that are more negatively affected by this as well, based on a myriad of factors. Here are the LA Chargers that are hurt the most by a virtual offseason, especially if it extends into training camp.
LA Chargers hurt the most by a virtual offseason: Trey Pipkins
Trey Pipkins is someone who we have written a lot about here at Bolt Beat. While there likely will be a position battle to be the starting left tackle, if all goes as planned and Pipkins performs as well as the team seemingly thinks he could, then the job is his to lose.
I am a lot higher on Pipkins than most Charger fans and I do think he could be a tangible starting left tackle. He did have some blunders last season but overall, the 2019 third-round pick showed a lot of promising signs.
Iron out some of those blunders and the Chargers have a quality left tackle. That is what training camp and the preseason are for; new offensive line coach James Campen can get his hands on Pipkins and maximize his untapped potential.
With a virtual offseason that won’t be the case and we could see how raw Pipkins really is as a left tackle prospect. Not only does that hurt his chances of starting, but it could drastically hurt the team’s offensive line if they do not have a suitable replacement in mind at left tackle.
LA Chargers hurt the most by a virtual offseason: Joshua Kelley
The rookie class of 2020 is entering the league in the most unique situation possible and are getting robbed of the rookie experience and learning curve that every single rookie in NFL history had before them.
But, at the end of the day, they are still playing the game that they love and are now in the NFL, so I guarantee that nobody is complaining.
It does still have an impact on potential roles heading into the 2020 season and out of any of the rookies that the Chargers selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, I think it will affect Joshua Kelley the most.
Kelley was selected in the fourth round to join the running back room consisting of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Heading into the draft, it appeared as if the team was only looking to get a chance of pace back that would be third on the team in carries.
However, with how high the team selected Kelley and based on his profile from college (a workhorse back), it appears as if the team has more in mind for Kelley to be the traditional number two back behind Ekeler.
Jackson is talented, but he has struggled with injuries and we have not really seen him put it all together in an extended period of time. If Kelley had a great training camp and a solid preseason then he absolutely would have won the second running back gig.
Of course, if that does not happen, the Chargers are more likely to give more carries right away to the player they know and are already familiar with in Jackson.
LA Chargers hurt the most by a virtual offseason: Donald Parham
We could have put Donald Parham or Storm Norton on this list, as both are coming over from the XFL with some promising traits and still have to win their jobs on the roster. However, with Norton, even if he makes the roster he was always going to be a depth tackle for the team.
There is more at stake with Parham, who showed enough potential in the five weeks of the XFL to be a legitimate passing threat in an NFL offense. With Virgil Green’s contract expiring after this season and Hunter Henry on the franchise tag, Parham very well could be part of the Chargers’ future.
Parham had 24 receptions for 307 yards and four touchdowns in five games for the Dallas Renegades. It is more than just the barebones numbers, though, as Parham put together good tape and has exciting measurables.
Parham is 6’8″ yet runs like he is 6’3″. While he his slender frame does leave some gaps in his run-blocking technique, he has the size advantage over anyone that he is matched up against and certainly has the speed of an NFL tight end.
At the very least, Parham can be an exciting red zone target, with the Chargers taking advantage of his size.
The problem is that with several other tight ends on the roster, Parham might not get hit shot to earn a tangible role with the 2020 team, and from there, who knows what the team’s plan would be with him in future years if he does not even play this year.
LA Chargers hurt the most by a virtual offseason: Desmond King
Desmond King is one of the most intriguing players on the LA Chargers this offseason based on how he has played the last two years. Two years ago, King was a crucial part of the defense that led the Chargers to a 12-4 record and was named an All-Pro for his efforts.
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Last season, though, King struggled immensely in pass coverage. He actually played a smaller percentage of snaps on the defensive side of the ball despite the several injuries to the defense and didn’t just take a step back, but was pretty bad.
Of any corner that played in at least 20 percent of his team’s snaps last season, King allowed the second-highest reception rate on passes targeted his way. 87.2 percent of passes targeted at King were completed.
King is now entering a contract year that very well could determine what the future of his career in the NFL looks like and is he likely going to take up a new role with the addition of Chris Harris to the secondary to play slot corner.
The most likely scenario is that King plays a role similar to Adrian Phillips, who signed with the New England Patriots in the offseason. King is versatile and could line up at corner, safety and even nickel linebacker, but we cannot fully buy into him being serviceable in the role until we see it.
A virtual offseason does not give us the tangible on-field reps that the team is going to need to determine how and how often the team wants to utilize King on the defense.