The Los Angeles Chargers made some noise this week (at least in the fantasy football world) when they released their first unofficial depth chart of the regular season, revealing that Oronde Gadsden II would start the year as TE3 behind Charlie Kolar and David Njoku.
If you bought into Gadsden after his record-breaking rookie campaign—in which he established himself as an emergent pass catcher for the Chargers under Greg Roman's scheme—this may come as a bit of surprise. But if you paid attention to the way Los Angeles distributed their snaps at the position during the preseason, it shouldn't.
Kolar and Njoku consistently played snaps with the starters, and Gadsden continued to put his blocking struggles on display with the second and third-team offensive units. Mike McDaniel's scheme, with its heavy use of 12 and 13 personnel, puts a premium on blocking abilities for its tight ends. It's why the Chargers likely paid above market value for Kolar this offseason, and it's why they were willing to take a flyer on Njoku when the market came to a rest.
Gadsden still has upside to be unlocked as a dynamic, 'big slot' type of tight end, and there's certainly room for him to improve as a blocker. But for now, he's sitting below Kolar and Njoku (who each have pass-catching upside of their own) on the Chargers' TE totem pole.
But that doesn't mean his path is cut off forever. It may simply be a matter of time until the Chargers find a way to work Gadsden into their offensive attack.
Oronde Gadsden II may see a downtick in opportunities this season— but don't count him out forever
First and foremost, Gadsden was a successful draft pick for Los Angeles, and that's not something this front office lets go easily. He was majorly productive during his rookie campaign for a fifth-round selection, amassing 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns even after spending the first two weeks of the season as a healthy scratch.
At 6'5" and 236 lbs, he also has the strength and the agility to have some projectable upside as a blocker. His issue, to this point in his career, has largely been his lack of intensity and ability to cement his anchor against true pass rushers. Even if Gadsden will never become an elite in-line blocker, those are things that can be fixed.
If Gadsden spends this season as TE3 working consistently on his blocking and gaining strength and size in that role, you can bet McDaniel will find a way to use a dynamic playmaker of his caliber in the course of his passing attack. In 12 and 13 personnel, especially in the redzone, having a mixture of tight ends that are capable at operating on both sides of the coin is a major asset.
As of now, using Njoku in that sort of role next to Kolar makes sense. Njoku gained mass to operate in more of a blocking role last season next to Harold Fannin Jr. on the Cleveland Browns, but we're only a couple seasons removed from his last major pass-catching campaign. Njoku's one-year, $3 million contract with the Chargers is a 'prove it' deal. If he's able to find his footing again in the passing game, you better believe he'll be seeking out a fresh opportunity next offseason—and it likely won't be in Los Angeles.
Gadsden still needs time to develop into an every-down tight end. The Chargers' deficits at the position last season likely forced the rookie into a role he wasn't truly ready for. Remember Tucker Fisk and Will Dissly?
Their signings this offseason have temporarily reconstructed the hierarchy at the position, but don't be too quick to count Gadsden out of Los Angeles' plans forever.
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