LA Chargers: Seven training camp battle predictions

TE Stephen Anderson vs. TE Donald Parham

With the cuts of both Jared Rice and Andrew Vollert prior to training camp, it’s down to Stephen Anderson and Donald Parham for the last tight end spot. While the Chargers don’t technically have to keep three tight ends, it makes sense to have another receiving option given that Virgil Green is mostly a blocker.

Parham is certainly the most talked-about candidate. He lit up the XFL with quite a few memorable performances and finished with 24 receptions, 307 yards, and four touchdowns. Parham has 4.6 speed, which seems slow until you remember that he measures at 6’8″ 240 pounds. That’s the weight of the average linebacker with the height of LeBron James.

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Stephen Anderson is a veteran option to be the third tight end. His most notable seasons were when he was the second tight end to C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin in Houston. He brought serviceable depth to the position. When called upon, he’s a solid red-zone option.

This is one of the closer battles of training camp. Both provide different advantages and excel at some things about evenly. The deciding factor could very well be blocking, of which some Chargers’ beat reporters believe that Parham has the edge.

Anderson has NFL experience, but Parham has great athleticism, physical attributes, and has proved himself at a professional level. While it’s close, I just don’t think you can risk another team scooping Parham off the waiver wire with his potential.

Winner: Donald Parham