Most of the offseason draft talk has centered around the depth of the 2023 tight-end class. So with such a large pool, would it be wise if the LA Chargers wait until the fourth round to grab someone or should they go for one earlier?
Chargers Tight Ends Depth
Going into the 2023 season, so far the Chargers have Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, Hunter Kampmoyer, Tre’ McKitty, and Stone Smartt as their tight end group. Parham and Everett will certainly be the go-to guys this season while Smartt, McKitty, and Kampmoyer as backups.
Everett had a breakout season last year, and though Parham was injured quite a bit, he was a quality pass blocker when he was healthy and made a few good contributions on the receiving end.
Kampmoyer played mostly during the preseason and Smartt only played a small handful of snaps during the regular season. McKitty meanwhile never got into a groove, despite playing the most snaps at the position behind Everett. As Smartt and Kampmoyer are more untested as players, and McKitty hasn’t looked great, the Chargers really do need to find other options, but it depends on their priorities.
Chargers Draft Needs Ahead Of Tight End?
The Chargers desperately need help at wide receiver, more depth at running back, interior defensive line, edge rusher, linebacker, and offensive line, so those may be the positions they look at, especially wide receiver and some of those interior defensive line positions, before going to a tight end. And with the number of tight ends in this class, perhaps it may make sense to wait a little longer to draft one.
Chargers Draft Targets In The Fourth
Brenton Strange, Penn State
Brenton Strange is not a master at any aspect of the position, but has enough of everything to develop into a functional contributor
Davis Allen, Clemson
Davis Allen has a lot of upside as a receiver. Explosive athletic traits. A good blocker, especially for his size.
Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion
Zack Kuntz has all the natural ability in the world and is. Needs reps and coaching to get him there.