3 receivers the Chargers can draft to replace DeAndre Carter as returner

The LA Chargers only have three NFL-caliber wide receivers on the roster and just lost another key member of last year's team. Return man DeAndre Carter signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, creating a massive opening at kick and punt returner for the Bolts.

With an already thin wide receiver market depleted at this point, the Chargers are likely going to need to turn to the 2023 NFL Draft to replace Carter. Realistically, the Chargers are going to have to draft two receivers barring a cheap signing for depth purposes.

That means that the Bolts could target an early-round receiver to fill in on the offense with a later-round receiver that will primarily be asked to play on special teams. Regardless of the gameplan, there are some names that stand out.

3 receivers the Chargers can draft to replace DeAndre Carter as returner:

Jayden Reed, Western Michigan

The Chargers already tried drafting one receiver with the Reed last name to be a returner and that did not pan out (although we will never give up on Joe Reed here at Bolt Beat). Might as well run it back and bring in Western Michigan's Jayden Reed.

Reed has a lot more to like about his game than just being a kick return specialist. He fits the Chargers' M-O in the size department (measuring at five-eleven) and is relatively quick, running a 4.45 40-yard dash at the combine.

Reed showed the versatility to play both outside and in the slot with Western Michigan and showed the ability to make contested catches in traffic. His struggles in separation can be worked around if he is schemed open and at the very least, it allowed him the chance to show his point-of-catch skills in college.

Reed ranks 106th on the consensus NFL Draft big board and is expected to be a late third to early fourth-round pick. He is an example of someone the Bolts could take with a top-100 pick to not just be a returner but contribute on offense as well.

Tre Tucker, Cincinnati

There is a pair of interesting receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft from Cincinnati. Tyler Scott is one of the quickest receivers in the draft and would add a jolt of athleticism to the Chargers offense that fans have been asking for.

Despite his athleticism, he is not the receiver with the most potential as a returner from Cincinnati. That honor instead goes to Tre Tucker. Tucker posted great numbers as a returner for Cincinnati and could slide right into Carter's previous role with the team.

Tucker returned a total of 67 kicks in college, averaging 24.9 yards per return with two touchdowns. His punt return experience is limited but with his athletic profile, he should have no problem in that role under Ryan Ficken.

The five-nine receiver ran a 4.40 40-yard dash and projects to be very similar to Carter in the NFL. He is not someone who is going to be able to run at defenses and make contested catches. He is someone who is going to have to work underneath the field as a YAC target.

But that is fine with what else the Chargers have in the offense. If the team implements his skillset as a YAC receiver and benefits from his potential as a returner then it would be a solid selection. Tucker ranks 198th on the consensus big board, making him a candidate to be taken in the sixth round.

Derius Davis, TCU

Derius Davis might be the most exciting player not just on this list but in the entire draft class if we are only considering what he would bring as a returner. There is a ceiling on what he can bring as an offensive player but as a returner he could instantly make an impact at the NFL level.

Davis was one of the biggest winners of the NFL Combine with an incredible 4.36 40-yard dash and 1.46 10-yard split. He showcased the fact that he is one of the most athletic receivers in this draft, which will play right into his ceiling as a kick returner.

Davis returned a total of 52 kickoffs over the last two years for TCU and while his kickoff averages don't jump off the page, his punt return numbers do. Davis averaged 14.9 yards per return for TCU in 2022 and added two touchdowns for good measure.

The 82-yard punt return featured above actually broke KaVontae Turpin's record for the most punt returns in school history. For those unaware, Turpin was an extremely productive returner for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, earning a Pro Bowl nod in the process.

Davis is limited offensively and early on will likely only be used in gadget plays (like Joe Reed). However, his athleticism and incredible acceleration make him an easy target to get the ball early to move down the field.

Best of all, Davis is projected to be available pretty late in the 2023 NFL Draft. He ranks 249th and could be a potential seventh-round pick for the Bolts.

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