LA Chargers: Grading the Bolts’ 2020 tight end group

Virgil Green

Blocking is pretty much most of Virgil Green‘s game. In his two seasons in Los Angeles, he’s averaged a 73 PFF pass-blocking grade.

The Chargers seemed to be on the way to phasing him out in 2019. 384 snaps is the lowest total in a season for Green since 2015. As a blocking specialist, perhaps that’s what his game mostly should be. His receiving grades aren’t high. At the same time, his receiving grade isn’t high because his total targets were at 11, the lowest amount since 2014 in Denver.

Green is solely a blocker to the Chargers, primarily because of his age and the fact they already have a Top 10 tight end in Henry. Even when Henry was injured last season, the Chargers signed Lance Kendricks as opposed to starting Green.

Being a blocking specialist probably will be more useful in 2020 than it was in 2019. With Taylor and the running back by committee format, the Chargers will probably run the ball more than they did last year. While it’s possible Green’s role could decline further, I’d actually predict an uptick in usage with a scheme more focused on game management and running the ball.

Without Philip Rivers, it doesn’t make sense to have an offense that passes as much as the Chargers did last year.

While he doesn’t have flashy stats or production, Green is still a solid blocker on an offense that probably will be running the ball more frequently.