There has been a big change in the LA Chargers wide receiver room this offseason. Keenan Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears and Mike Williams was released, making Joshua Palmer the de facto WR1 until the Bolts make some kind of move.
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz admitted that the team was not done making moves at wide receiver. It is assumed that the Bolts will not only use an early pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on a wide out, but also sign a veteran in free agency as well.
There are some intriguing names on the market such as Odell Beckham Jr, Michael Gallup, Tyler Boyd, and even Hunter Renfrow that could all make sense for the Bolts. But instead of any of those options, the Chargers are reportedly interested in a different free-agent wide receiver; one who fans are familiar with from the AFC West.
In a recent appearance on NFL Live, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said the Chargers have "some interest" in former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
The #Chargers have expressed interest in FA WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, per @JFowlerESPN.
— Guilty As Charged Podcast (@GACPodcast17) April 5, 2024
Fowler also mentioned the Chargers are specifically looking for some speed at receiver. pic.twitter.com/n9l5k4sr3i
Marquez Valdes-Scantling doesn't make sense for the Chargers in free agency
MVS does have the speed that the Chargers are reportedly looking for but that is all the former Chiefs and Green Bay Packers wide out has to offer. Of the options that are still available, MVS is certainly the most underwhelming.
Valdes-Scantling has played with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes yet still has never emerged as a true, great pass-catcher. His time with the Chiefs was particularly troublesome, as he could not even emerge as a consistent weapon with no WR1 last season.
The former fifth-round pick finished with just 315 yards on 21 catches with one touchdown last season in Kansas City. His speed didn't add a dynamic wrinkle to the Chiefs' offense and the problems with his hands proved to be too troublesome.
It is never a good sign when a team like the Chiefs, that needs wide receivers, releases someone to save money against the cap. Granted, the fact that he was released means that he won't count toward the Chargers' compensatory formula, but there are other talented receivers that also would not count.
Beckham, Gallup and Renfrow all would not count against the compensatory formula. And while none of those options are coming off elite seasons, they all have more potential than MVS has in Los Angeles.
Obviously, the Chargers wouldn't be signing MVS to be the WR1 and there should not be any concerns about that. But just because it is a depth signing does not mean the Chargers have an excuse to get lazy with it. The team has the spending space to bring in an impact guy, especially one that can be better than MVS.