2. Josh Palmer
Josh Palmer got a lot of hype before the 2022 season and to be completely transparent, we were part of that problem. Bolt Beat was all-in on 2022 being a massive breakout season for Josh Palmer and it very well could be. The first two weeks just haven't been great for Palmer.
Those that look at the stat sheet will see a Palmer touchdown from Week 2 but that came at the very end of the game on fourth down. It was very similar to his touchdown grab against the New England Patriots in the 2021 loss.
The chemistry just has not been there between Herbert and Palmer, which is very interesting considering we heard nothing but positive things coming out of that partnership during camp. Without Keenan Allen, Palmer had a big opportunity to have his first great game of 2022 and he simply did not capitalize on that.
Maybe part of the problem is that he went from being the WR3 in the slot to having to fill Allen's route tree, which obviously is not easy for anyone to do. But in Week 1 he did not do much either, but the Chargers also stopped throwing the ball in the second half once Allen got hurt.
If Allen does not play then Palmer needs to be that quick-strike outlet for Herbert as the team is not going to want him taking these five-step dropbacks. If Allen plays, it would be nice to see more designed looks for Palmer in the slot to capitalize on any potential mismatches.
Either way, the second-year receiver needs to turn it around.