Chargers flirting with most unexciting free agent possible after D.J. Chark signing

The LA Chargers offense is going to look markedly different in 2024. Between Keenan Allen and Mike Williams getting traded and released, respectively, Austin Ekeler departing in free agency, OT Joe Alt and wide receiver Ladd McConkey arriving via the NFL Draft and Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins remaking the running back room, Justin Herbert has a bunch of new faces to build a rapport with.

It's become clear that the Chargers will be a run-heavy offense under Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Too much has been put on Herbert's shoulders to start his career. Becoming a more balanced offense will put Herbert in the best position to succeed.

What isn't putting Herbert in a position to flourish, though, is the Chargers' wide receiver room, which is among the thinnest in the league now that Allen and Williams are gone. While they did sign D.J. Chark last week to add a speed and deep-threat dynamic, Chark is no more than a WR3.

It seems LA knows it needs another pass-catcher, but they're set to meet with a highly uninspiring (and familiar) name on Monday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.

NFL Rumors: Chargers meeting with free agent WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Chargers have shown interest in Valdes-Scantling for weeks. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler first linked Valdes-Scantling with Los Angeles in early April. It would appear the Chark signing hasn't dissuaded their interest in Valdes-Scantling.

It's no secret the Chargers are looking for speed at WR. While Valdes-Scantling passes that test, he's been wildly inconsistent throughout his career despite playing with two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers.

When targeting MVS last season, Mahomes posted a middling 76.6 passer rating. He completed just 21 of his 40 pass attempts to the speedy receiver. Among WRs who logged at least 40 targets, Valdes-Scantling's 15.0 yards per catch ranked 23rd, per Pro Football Focus. His 51.7 receiving grade ranked 91st out of 93 qualified receivers and he was 89th in yards per route run.

In fairness to Valdes-Scantling, he made multiple clutch grabs during the Chiefs' Super Bowl run, including an acrobatic catch on 3rd and 9 against the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game that effectively ended the game. He also gave KC its first lead in the Super Bowl with a touchdown late in the third quarter.

Valdes-Scantling is certainly capable of making big plays and his over-the-top speed would be a fun fit with Herbert's arm talent. We just question the fit given that his skillset is similar to Chark's. The Chargers could use another possession receiver and MVS does not fit that bill whatsoever.