The LA Chargers have made a habit out of bringing in former Baltimore Ravens after hiring Joe Hortiz as general manager in 2024. Hortiz has opened the door for another Raven in Los Angeles as veteran wide receiver Willie Snead is practicing with the team during minicamp.
Snead is in El Segundo on a veteran tryout with the Chargers during this week's minicamp. Originally starting his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, Snead spent three seasons with the Ravens from 2018-2020.
The veteran wideout overlapped with current Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman during his time with the Ravens. In three years, Snead hauled in 126 catches for 1,422 yards with nine receiving touchdowns.
Chargers welcome former Ravens WR Willie Snead on a veteran tryout
This is not the first time the Chargers have opened their doors for a former Ravens player on a veteran workout. Safety Tony Jefferson received the same treatment last season and played well enough to earn a spot on the practice squad (eventually being elevated multiple times).
Jefferson played well enough that he earned another one-year contract with the Chargers this past season. Snead is looking to follow in Jefferson's footsteps, although his path might be a big tougher.
Like Jefferson prior to 2024, Snead did not play in the NFL last season. Snead initially signed with the Miami Dolphins over the summer but was released by the team after he was placed on IR in August.
Snead last played in the NFL in 2023. He played in four games, making two catches for 14 yards. Snead has played 13 games over the last four seasons with six receptions for 52 yards. He has not caught a touchdown since 2020.
The wide receiver room is also quite deep for the Chargers. As it stands right now, Los Angeles had Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris, Quentin Johnston, Mike Williams, Derius Davis and KeAndre Lambert-Smith as the top-six receivers on the roster. This isn't even counting Brenden Rice, who was drafted by the team in 2024.
Realistically, Snead is trying out simply to get an invitation to training camp. That is the first step, and from there, he could get playing time in the preseason to try and secure some kind of future with the Chargers.
That future would almost certainly have to be on the practice squad. The Chargers are simply too deep at receiver to roster a player with six catches over the last four seasons. If Snead is on the roster come Week 1, something probably went wrong.