The LA Chargers have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Justin Herbert, who has a litany of talented receivers to throw to in the 2022 season. On top of having Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Herbert also has a potential breakout receiver at the WR3 spot in Joshua Palmer.
Palmer was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft and was impressing many during training camp and the preseason. His 2021 season got off to a slow start but he started to turn it on late in the year and turned into a consistent option for Herbert late in the season.
Many are expecting a breakout season for Palmer in year two as he builds off the momentum of his rookie season and continues to get more comfortable in the offense. Palmer is already starting to impress this offseason, kicking off his potential breakout season with a spectacular catch against Chargers rookie Deane Leonard.
money don̶'̶t̶ juggle juggle, it folds pic.twitter.com/NangVFOsFP
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) June 9, 2022
Leonard did not even play that bad of coverage on the play. The throw was perfect (although it did not come from Herbert, as he can be seen standing on the sidelines in this play) and Palmer made an acrobatic catch to haul it in. This is reminiscent of his first-career touchdown against the New England Patriots, in which he brought in the touchdown while being draped by two receivers.
What should Chargers fans expect from Joshua Palmer in year two?
Joshua Palmer undoubtedly has jump-ball skills that are similar to that of Mike Williams and he could have some value as a deep target for Justin Herbert. However, in having Williams and a speedster in Jalen Guyton, Palmer's role will likely be much different.
Palmer's route running was already incredibly crisp coming out of college and it has only gotten better in the year that he has been with the team. He might not be the most overly athletic receiver but he is shift and can live on the underneath and outer parts of the field.
Palmer should see more snaps than Guyton and I think we will see him on the outside quite a bit in 2022. I would like to see Keenan Allen in the slot more as a result as it is somewhere where he can absolutely feast, especially on third downs. Meanwhile, Palmer can work his magic on the outside, giving Herbert yet another option in his progressions.
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After 33 catches in his rookie season, 50 catches feels like the floor for Palmer in 2022. He was also a great red-zone option, hauling in four receiving touchdowns. There is a world in which Palmer finishes with 50 catches for 700 yards with seven or eight touchdowns. That is a fair estimation, and quite frankly, would be a fantastic season for the second-year receiver.