The Los Angeles Chargers are heading into the third season under Jim Harbaugh, but they haven't been able to make it past the wild-card round. To change that, they have used this offseason to make moves along the roster and coaching staff.
One of the biggest additions is naming Mike McDaniel as the offensive coordinator, but they also added two tight ends to the room, who should significantly improve the offense. Back in March, they signed Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million deal, which featured 17 million guaranteed. They then signed David Njoku to a one-year deal in May.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer recently spoke about the impact they now bring to this offense, and it should massively benefit them.
"Now, finally, three years in, he has that room closer to where he’d hoped it would be. Charlie Kolar comes over from Baltimore as one of the best blockers in the league at the position and a prototype for the in-line “Y” position. Cleveland import David Njoku, at this point in his career, is probably best playing off the line as the move tight end, and Kolar’s presence will allow him to do that. But Njoku’s flexibility to play both “F” and “Y” will give the team more flexibility to get promising second-year hybrid Oronde Gadsden II on the field."
The additions of Kolar and Njoku only add more weapons to the offense and should make them more dynamic in both the run and pass game.
Chargers made an underrated change fans shouldn't ignore
As Breer pointed out, Kolar has been labeled as one of the top blocking tight ends in the league, and he will help pave the way in the run game. In three of his four seasons with the Ravens, Kolar finished with a 62.5 or higher run blocking grade on Pro Football Focus.
The deal that Los Angeles gave Kolar shows they have faith in his ability to make a serious impact in that portion of the offense. And should benefit the likes of Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell. With Kolar thriving in this role, it will open things up for Njoku as a move tight end.
Over his nine-year career with the Browns, Njoku was an effective playmaker who did damage when he got the ball in his hands. In 118 games, he finished with 384 catches for 4,062 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns. He has five seasons with 475 plus receiving yards under his belt, displaying the threat he can bring as a pass catcher.
That's without mentioning Oronde Gadsden, who broke out as a rookie. In 15 games last season, Gadsden tallied 49 receptions for 664 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The fact that the Chargers added Kolar and Njoku to this room diversifies their tight ends and will open things up for this offense.
Finding ways to keep multiple tight ends on the field will put defenses in a bind and could be moves that go under the radar now but pay major dividends down the line.
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