LA Chargers: Grading how the new quarterbacks fit with the top receivers

LA Chargers: Keenan Allen compatibility grades

Tyrod Taylor and Keenan Allen – Compatibility grade: A

In these first pair of grades, you probably notice a theme. Keenan Allen is an elite receiver (who should be ranked as a top-50 player in the NFL), and he is compatible with just about any quarterback.

However, the reason that he is compatible with each quarterback is different.

Over the course of his career, Tyrod Taylor’s average throw has gone 6.4 yards, which is a good bit shorter than for most quarterbacks. Much of this can be attributed to game-planning and poor receiver talent around him, but safe, short throws have been the story of Taylor’s career to this point.

While Keenan Allen has averaged about 12 yards per catch in his career, he plays a game that is amenable to just about anything besides being a speed-based, downfield threat.

With the elite route-running that you see in the video below, it is clear that Allen could support the low-turnover, short-yardage game of Tyrod Taylor.

Keenan Allen vs Tre Flowers… Great route running.

– Crossing route from slot– Allen beats Flowers initial punch with outside hand– Allen pushes vertically to get Flowers in trail– Hard jab step, cuts horizontally for separation#Seahawks #Chargerspic.twitter.com/gBszURtNQU

— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) August 19, 2018

While the short-yardage game is where Taylor has thrived in the past, Allen’s elite intermediate route running should give Taylor a player that he is comfortable being more aggressive with, perhaps unlocking another layer of Taylor’s game. Simply put, this pairing should immediately be fun to see.

Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen – Compatibility grade: A

All of the same talents mentioned above will make Justin Herbert more comfortable immediately at the NFL level. What Herbert will need most is an experienced receiver that can reliably create separation. Allen is that and more, as he has an elite ability to do so at each level of the defense.

The only thing that Allen cannot do that Herbert could make great use of is burn the defense deep. That is the only reason for the A instead of an A+ in this grade.

But make no mistake – Keenan Allen will be an elite asset for Justin Herbert, and the Chargers should do all they can to keep Allen around for their young quarterback.