In the 17th of a 32-part series, we will feature all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Today we will look at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Key Off Season Acquisitions
On offense, the Los Angeles Chargers signed tight end Gerald Everett of Atlanta, Georgia to a two-year contract worth $12 million. Everett is joining his third NFL franchise after four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and one season with the Seattle Seahawks. In 15 games with Seattle last year, Everett had 48 catches for 478 yards and four touchdowns.
On defense is where the Chargers made the most changes. They acquired linebacker Khalil Mack in a trade with the Chicago Bears, signed cornerback J.C. Jackson from the New England Patriots to a five-year deal worth $82.5 million, defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day from the Los Angeles Rams to a three-year deal worth $24 million, nose tackle Austin Johnson from the New York Giants to a two-year contract worth $14 million, and cornerback Bryce Callahan from the Denver Broncos to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million.
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Fantasy Stars
The face of the Chargers franchise has turned out to be quarterback Justin Herbert, a Pro Bowl QB for the first time in 2021. Last season he completed 443 passes in 672 attempts for 5014 passing yards, and had 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Herbert also had 63 rushes for 302 yards and three touchdowns. The native of Eugene, Oregon is ranked third among fantasy football quarterbacks, behind Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Wide receiver Mike Williams of Vance, South Carolina enjoyed a career season in 2021, as he caught 76 passes for 1146 receiving yards and nine touchdowns (career highs in catches and receiving yards). He is ninth among wideouts.
Running back Austin Ekeler of Lincoln, Nebraska is second among running backs, behind only Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts. In 2021, he had 206 rushes for 911 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 70 catches for 647 yards and eight touchdowns. Ekeler also had 20 rushing and receiving touchdowns, which led the NFL.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins of Austin, Texas is 10th among kickers. Last year he shared his time between the Chargers and Washington Football Team. Hopkins completed 30 of 34 field goal attempts, and 40 of 44 converts.
Prediction
The Chargers are definitely a playoff team in 2022 even though they are in the hard AFC West. A division title is in their grasp, however a second place finish seems to be more realistic at this point. The Chargers did improve on defense, but the new faces may need time to gel.
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