The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the better rosters in the NFL, but they're not resting on their laurels. Despite having one of the league's premier backs in Austin Ekeler, they went out and signed two-time Super Bowl champ Sony Michel.
Michel isn't all that dynamic, but he's just what the Chargers need behind Ekeler, and they clearly weren't thrilled with Josh Kelley, rookie Isaiah Spiller and Larry Rountree, who was waived then re-signed back to the practice squad.
In a five-game stretch for the Rams last season, Michel totaled 497 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 4.7 YPC, including two 100-yard games. He might not be a three-down back, but he's a top-notch backup.
The move confirms there's quality talent available even with the regular season just one week away, and the Chargers might not be done adding players.
In a Reddit "ask me anything" on Thursday, The Athletic's Daniel Popper floated the tight end position as one that could be bolstered in the near future.
In his Reddit AMA yesterday, @danielrpopper pointed to TE as a potential Sony Michel-like move for the Chargers. pic.twitter.com/1AhSSmlyaP
— Bolt Beat (@BB_Chargers) September 2, 2022
Could the Chargers add another tight end before the regular season?
The Chargers replaced Jared Cook with Gerald Everett in the form of a two-year, $12 million contract back in March. A former second-round pick of the Rams who spent last season in Seattle, Everett's arrival was lost in the shuffle of LA's offseason spending spree but he represents another big-bodied target for Justin Herbert.
Everett enjoyed his best season as a pro with the Seahawks last year. In 15 games, he logged 48 catches for 478 yards and four scores. Those numbers are right around what Cook compiled last season. Worth noting that Everett is seven years younger than Cook, so it's fair to assume he has more upside.
Behind Everett, though, the Chargers don't have much depth.
Donald Parham logged 398 snaps in a part-time role last season, but he currently has a hamstring injury and only recently resumed individual drills at practice. We all know how tricky hamstrings can be, so the Chargers have to be diligent in nursing the 25-year-old back to full strength given the value he brings in the red zone.
Donald Parham (hamstring) doing individual drills https://t.co/R8ZEALAZHo
— NBC Sports EDGE Football (@NBCSEdgeFB) August 31, 2022
Like Parham, 2021 third-rounder Tre' Mckitty is banged up with a soft-tissue injury and undrafted free agent Stone Smartt is on the non-football injury list. Long story short, the TE room is paper thin behind Everett.
The top free agents available include Cook (!), Eric Ebron, Blake Jarwin and Anthony Firkser, while the Dolphins have reportedly made calls about offloading Mike Gesicki. It's unlikely the Chargers get involved (or that Miami even trades Gesicki), so taking a flier on one of the aforementioned vets is more feasible.
Whatever happens, this is definitely something to watch with the season-opener just over a week away.