The LA Chargers’ tight end group might prove to be very important in 2020.
One of Tyrod Taylor’s most targeted weapons when he in Buffalo was Charles Clay. He racked up 500+ yards in each of Taylor’s seasons. He was the third-leading receiver on the team in 2015, second in 2016, and he led the team in receiving yards in Taylor’s final season in Buffalo.
That doesn’t necessarily tell us that tight end will be one of the most targeted positions this year, as every quarterback in a new environment develops favorite targets. A Taylor led offense based on ball security and keeping drives alive will likely use tight ends as safety valves though.
Hunter Henry
When bringing up tight ends, there’s the first tier of Zach Ertz, George Kittle, and Travis Kelce. A group of players that may very well be their team’s best receiving option. Hunter Henry has never quite elevated himself into that tier, as injuries have gotten in the way. His excellent 2017 season had everyone excited for 2018 and the leap he could make. Unfortunately, torn ACL would put the kibosh on that.
2019’s results were generally positive for Henry but came with some setbacks. In Week 1 vs. Indianapolis, he fractured his tibia plateau and was out for four weeks. When he came back, it was like he hadn’t lost a step. The Pittsburgh game is one to forget for the LA Chargers as a team, but Henry led the team back into that game almost on his own. The next game vs. Tennessee was also great.
The production came down towards the end of the year, but part of that was just that there were a lot of mouths to feed on offense. Austin Ekeler had a career year as a receiver out of the backfield and Melvin Gordon got more targets as he came back into the fold.
As a receiver, Henry had what was his best season as a pro. He missed four games and still eclipsed his previous season receiving high by about 100 yards.
One tweak to his game that I’d like to see in 2020 is an increased blocking role. Perhaps this is something the Chargers will use their other tight ends for, but Henry is a good fit for it. The Chargers have been cautious with using him as a blocker due to the injury history, but at some point, the team has to use his talent there.
In his second year back after the torn ACL, Henry should be back to normal from an athleticism standpoint. It really could be a career year for him, given how Taylor is more predisposed to using some quick throws to the tight ends and running backs as opposed to Philip Rivers’ gunslinger mentality. It’s all about staying healthy for Henry, especially entering a contract year in 2020.
We’ll have to wait on the contract extension, if and when it happens. Per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Henry and the Chargers were close to a deal prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
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.
Who wins the LA Chargers’ last tight end roster spot?
With an increased roster size, the LA Chargers could theoretically roster more than three tight ends. Right now though, three sounds like a reasonable amount. Whichever tight ends don’t make the roster would likely have a chance to be stored on the practice squad.
Of the other tight ends on the roster, Donald Parham would be the most interesting choice for the third tight end spot on the roster. Parham has massive size at 6’8″ 240. Coming out of college, he went undrafted and would spend the preseason with the Washington Redskins.
His NFL dream didn’t quite work out as he would be cut later on, but then the XFL came calling. Parham lit up the now-defunct league for 307 yards, four touchdowns, and the fifth most receptions.
The XFL was never comparable to the NFL, but Parham still showed off good physicality, speed, and catching ability. He’s still ultimately a raw prospect. While he uses his hands well when blocking, the actual blocking part is still underdeveloped. There’s a lot of potential upside in learning and practicing at the NFL level for a player who has the physical attributes he does.
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Another possibility might be Andrew Vollert. He tore his ACL against the Cardinals in the preseason last year, but will have another opportunity to push for a roster spot again. Vollert is a mediocre blocker, but he’s easily the fastest tight end the Chargers have with a 4.54 40 time.
Stephen Anderson is another Chargers’ tight end who’s in the same boat as Vollert in terms of speed and blocking. At Cal, he was a walk-on wideout who converted to tight end.
LA Chargers’ final grade
The tight end group will only be as good as their top option in Henry. He’s still a top 10 tight end, even if he’s not in the top tier group mentioned earlier. Fans really just want to see Henry stay healthy and hopefully play a full season. Two years after the ACL injury now, I’m hopeful that he’ll return to his peak athleticism. If so, a career year may be in store for him, especially with Taylor at quarterback.
Green could very well be in for an uptick in production and snaps. The Chargers are going to run the ball more, and if Henry isn’t blocking, that role could fall into Green’s lap. The tight ends behind him on the depth chart aren’t developed enough as blockers yet. Cheap, effective run/pass blockers don’t grow on trees, and that’s why Green still is the second tight end on the depth chart.
The third tight end role is much less clear as of now. Parham probably has the lead in terms of making the roster. He’s not quite developed, but he’s young with a ton of untapped potential.
Making a couple plays in the preseason or impressing in training camp could be the difference for him. He has played professional football more recently than Anderson or Vollert, despite it being the XFL. If the Chargers want a speedy slot threat, Anderson may be the direction they lean in.
The tight end group for the Chargers is pretty solid when looking at the players, but a lot of it does depend on Henry’s health. If he does start for a full season, it would be such a boost for the team. Concerns about his knees and uncertainty around the third tight end spot do take the grade down for me a little.