NFL Fantasy Preview: Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert (YouTube)

In a 32-part series leading up to the start of the 2021 National Football League season, we will take a look at each NFL franchise from a fantasy perspective. The 18th team we will review is the Los Angeles Chargers.

The big question facing the Los Angeles Chargers heading into the 2020 National Football League season was who would step up at quarterback with Philip Rivers leaving southern California for the Indianapolis Colts? The initial answer was Tyrod Taylor, however, he suffered a rib injury when the Chargers’ doctor accidentally punctured his lung during a pain-killer injection, prior to the Chargers’ week two game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

In came Justin Herbert as the Chargers starter, who ended up being the Associated Press Rookie of the Year. It did not take long for the sixth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft to get comfortable with Los Angeles’s offense, as the Oregon Ducks product completed 396 passes in 595 attempts for 4336 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Herbert also had 55 rushes for 234 yards, and five rushing touchdowns. Even though Herbert does not have a full year under his belt, he is still a top-10 fantasy quarterback, at number eight in my rankings.

At running back, Austin Ekeler of Lincoln, Nebraska became the Chargers’ number one running back in 2020, but did not play a full season because of a knee and hamstring injury he suffered in week four against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 10 games, he had 116 rushes for 530 yards, and one touchdown, along with 54 catches for 403 yards, and two touchdowns. Ekeler should still be drafted in the top three rounds, but should be taken in the third round rather than the second. He is 23rd on my running back list.

At wide receiver, Keenan Allen is ranked 18th. The four-time Pro Bowler did see a minor drop in production when it came to receiving yards in 2020. Allen was unable to reach 1000 yards for the first time since 2016 when he only played one game due to a week one torn ACL against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he did have 100 catches for 992 yards last season, and tied a career-high with eight touchdown catches.

At tight end, Jared Cook replaces Hunter Henry, who signed with the New England Patriots. Cook has played in the NFL for 12 years, and had 37 catches for 504 yards, and seven touchdowns last season with the New Orleans Saints. Now Cook will be catching footballs from Herbert, rather than the retired Drew Brees.

Finally, Michael Badgley of Summit, New Jersey, completed 24 of 33 field goals and 36 of 39 converts in 2020. Due to the fact he kicks in the warm climate of southern California, Badgley should be considered 10th among NFL kickers.

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