Eagles release perfect tight end for Chargers to sign to round out depth chart

If there is one area where LA Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz has differed from his predecessor, current Las Vegas Raiders GM Tom Telesco, it is how he has operated around the roster edges during training camp.

Hortiz said he wouldn't not be complacent in maximizing the roster and he has stayed true to his word thus far. The backend of the Chargers roster has been a rotating door during training camp and in the process, the team has signed players who may play significant snaps during the regular season (Teair Tart, for example).

Hortiz and the Chargers now have another chance to add around the edges with a player who will help in a position of need. The Philadelphia Eagles released veteran tight end C.J. Uzomah on Wednesday just months after signing him to a one-year deal in free agency.

C.J. Uzomah would be a great fit in the Chargers' tight end room

Uzomah would not be a lock to make the 53-man roster in Los Angeles but he would certainly add an interesting dynamic and would compete strongly for that fourth tight end spot.

Right now, the top three tight ends on the depth chart are Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst and Donald Parham. That fourth tight end spot, which is almost a guarantee in a Greg Roman offense without a real fullback, is up for grabs.

Stone Smartt held the lead heading into training camp but he has not been overly impressive thus far. None of the undrafted free agent tight ends have been all that special, either. Recently signed Tusker Fisk may have the best chance of dethroning Smartt for the TE4 spot but he is by no means a slam-dunk option.

Uzomah brings more proven NFL experience to the fold, which would certainly be beneficial to the Chargers. The veteran tight end is by no means a great pass-catcher who will light up defenses as a weapon but he is a rock-solid blocker. That is what is most important out of a depth tight end.

Uzomah had the fourth-best run-blocking grade on Pro Football Focus last season and has made a career out of being a good blocker. Someone with a proven track record who has been consistent in his play is exactly what the Chargers need.

Hurst is not really a great blocker and there are no guarantees he can stay healthy. Parham has gotten better as a pro in the blocking department, but he leaves more to be desired. Uzomah would give the Chargers another solid blocker in the room alongside Dissly, which can be very important as the team looks to potentially run the ball more.

It also helps if Dissly is ever forced to miss any action during the season. If that happens, the Chargers will be in a similar situation as last season where the blocking at tight end was so atrocious it impacted the rest of the offense.

Uzomah is not a guarantee to outright fix that problem but he does increase the odds substantially.