3 potential LA Chargers free agent targets who don't drop passes

TE: David Njoku

David Njoku is a name that is currently making the rounds among Charger fans this offseason. The Bolts will have to address the tight end position in some capacity as Jared Cook is a free agent and probably should not return to the team in 2022. Tre' McKitty is a special blocking tight end but has not shown anything to trust him to be a weapon in the offense. Stephen Anderson is a free agent and Donald Parham is coming off of a scary injury in 2021 that could change his future in the league.

The most likely outcome seems to be that Parham does come back as an exclusive rights free agent and Anderson walks. As good as he was for the Bolts, he should be pursuing a bigger role with another team to try and maximize his value. Even with Parham and McKitty, Njoku makes sense.

Njoku dropped just two passes in 53 targets in 2022, which was among the best drop rates for tight ends last season. His drop rate was nearly half of what Jared Cook's drop rate was last season. Not only does he have better hands, but he is a much more versatile athlete who can actually block as well.

Njoku is such a dynamic tight end and it would be so fun to see him in this Chargers offense getting the targets that Cook was getting in 2021. His value as a tight end in the league could finally be on full display and the Chargers could give themselves a well-rounded passing attack.

Njoku could be priced out of LA but with a decent tight end market, the Bolts might be able to sign him for a manageable number. PFF projects Njoku to get a three-year, $33 million deal, which seems quite high. That is around the same AAV as Hunter Henry, who had more value as a free agent last year than Njoku has.

Spotrac puts Njoku's market value at $6.7 million, which feels more realistic. He too could be a candidate for a three-year, $20 million contract.