The Los Angeles Chargers get their speed receiver in DJ Chark as a free-agent addition. This gives star quarterback Justin Herbert a deep target in a new offense, something they do not have currently on the roster.
The veteran spent last year with the Carolina Panthers and a season with the Detroit Lions in 2022. Due to injuries and a crowded receiver room, Chark has never gotten going in the past two seasons.
At 27 years old, the former Pro-Bowler from 2019 still has a lot left in the tank and now will get to showcase it despite being in a Greg Roman offense. Hopefully, under a new offensive coordinator and Chargers head coach, Jim Harbaugh, Chark can be utilized correctly this season if he can stay healthy.
Los Angeles Chargers: Add DJ Chark to Receiver Group
Sources: Former #Panthers WR and current FA DJ Chark has agreed to terms with the #Chargers on a 1-year deal worth up to $5M. A new landing spot for Chark, who visited with LAC before the Draft. pic.twitter.com/5a8MQ4cWDd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 3, 2024
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Chark signed a one-year deal worth up to $5 million Thursday night.
Now with the Chargers, who drafted two receivers last weekend, Ladd McConkey and Brenden Rice, they have some receiver depth. With Chark, Herbert will have some targets to throw to in 2024, as they get younger at the position.
Their former adored veterans, Keenan Allen, who was traded to the Chicago Bears, and Mike Williams, who was cut then signed with the New York Jets, needed to be replaced this offseason.
Former first-rounder from 2023 Quentin Johnston will get another shot to make an impact after a disappointing season. Along with 24-year-old Joshua Palmer, who is coming off a season-ending injury in 2023.
Chark complements both of them plus the rookies will the deep speed he brings to the table for Jim Harbaugh.
Los Angeles Chargers: Chark Gives Offense More Speed
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The former LSU second-round pick from 2018 spent four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and had a 1,000-yard, eight-touchdown season in 2019. Chark hasn’t gotten close to that production due to separate injuries nagging him when he’s been on the field.
In the last two years with the Lions and Panthers, he’s had 500-plus yards through the air with three and five touchdowns, respectively. For Detroit, he was not a featured weapon in their offense, and Carolina’s passing game was one of the worst in the league last year.
With Herbert, he can give him looks deep that his 6’3″ and 200-pound frame can snag down the field.
That’s if he can stay healthy on the field, as his lengthy injury history showcases his performance being hampered during his 2022 and 2023 seasons.
At the NFL Scouting Combine in 2018, Chark ran a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash, and while he might not be as fast, he can still fly and, given the chance, will provide the Chargers a big play.
Los Angeles Chargers: Missing Deep Element for Offense
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The Chargers are getting a receiver who has the potential to be productive in Chark, with no wide receiver on the roster even sniffing 1,000 yards.
This also includes the rookies, as both McConkey and Rice had around 700 yards in their final seasons at Georgia and USC, respectively.
Palmer has been a decent replacement but also is more of a possession receiver at 6’1″ and 210 pounds, with a career-high of 769 yards for the team in 2022.
The 22-year-old Johnston has the size at 6’4″ and 215 pounds but is more known as a short-yard-after-catch threat and not some big-bodied target who can track the ball deep.
Now with a proven deep ball speed threat on the outside with Chark, hopefully, Herbert and the offense can utilize his strengths this coming season.
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