The LA Chargers still have enough cap space to make any needed signings after the 2025 NFL Draft, but after the selections themselves, it may be hard to find a perfect fit for the Bolts in free agency. After all, after drafting two wideouts, it seems far less likely the team will make the much-desired Keenan Allen reunion.
The Chargers seemingly killed an Allen reunion by taking DeAndre Lambert-Smith in the fifth round of the draft. While that was our initial reaction here at Bolt Beat, now that the dust has settled, an Allen reunion still makes total sense for the Bolts.
In fact, one could make the case that an Allen reunion is the one obvious move the Chargers will make after the 2025 NFL Draft.
Why a Keenan Allen signing is still crystal clear for the Chargers
It may not seem like there is enough room for Allen in the wide receiver room with the addition of Lambert-Smith and Tre Harris. However, when breaking down the actual services each receiver will provide, there is a legitimate area for Allen to get snaps on the Chargers.
As it stands right now, here is how the Chargers' wide receiver room looks at each specific receiver type:
- X receiver: Tre Harris, Mike Williams
- Z receiver: Quentin Johnston
- Slot receiver: Ladd McConkey, Derius Davis, DeAndre Lambert-Smith
The X receiver is the traditional big-bodied, boundary receiver that can stretch the field and make contested catches. In the past the X receiver would almost always be the best receiver in the team, but in today's modern game, teams aim for receiver types at their X more so than overall talent. Hence why two contested catch specialists are the two X receivers for the Chargers.
The Z receiver is the secondary outside receiver that typically has less of a concrete role than the X receiver. This receiver can line up outside but also has much more pre-snap motion than the X. Right now, Quentin Johnston is the only person who can realistically play Z receiver for the Bolts.
Then you have the slot, which lines up the closest to the offensive line. This is where Ladd McConkey has feasted. Derius Davis is the team's backup slot and Lambert-Smith, despite being a new face, kind of gets buried on the depth chart as the third slot option (hence why the pick was confusing to begin with).
The Chargers shouldn't blindly force Lambert-Smith into the Z receiver role as he would not do well in such a setup. And while Johnston is a former first-round pick, Chargers fans know why the team can't roll with him as the Z receiver.
Allen would be a perfect fit to play most of the snaps at Z receiver. Allen is more productive out of the slot at this point in his career, but still played more snaps outside than in the slot last season for the Bears. He absolutely could be a reliable weapon still, especially with so many weapons around him.
This would leave the team with seven wide receivers (assuming Brenden Rice doesn't make the team). While that may seem like a lot, it's important to note that the Chargers carried seven wideouts on the initial 53-man roster last year. The precedent has already been set to construct the roster this way.
Despite taking two receivers, the Chargers still need another Z receiver in 2025. Because of his familiarity with Justin Herbert, Allen is the best guy remaining for the job. Why not use the team's remaining cap space on a one-year deal to give Allen the homecoming he deserves?
There is literally no downside to making such a move, only upside.