There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Los Angeles Chargers as they enter Year 2 of the Jim Harbaugh era. While they did not make a splash in free agency, they did add some nice pieces and added a lot of cheap depth players.
The NFL Draft saw them add a lot of talent, but also had surprises in terms of positions they avoided.
One of the biggest needs on offense was at the Tight End position. They signed Tyler Conklin during free agency and drafted Oronde Gadsden II late in the draft, but to start the season, Will Dissly will remain the starter.
Pro Football Focus just released their positional rankings ahead of the 2025 season, and they ranked Dissly dead last out of 32 tight ends.
Chargers Tight End Will Dissly Ranks Dead Last
There were multiple teams with two tight ends to make the list, and those secondary TEs still ranked higher than the Chargers starter.
Rookies Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren also ranked above Dissly.
John Kosko writes:
“Dissly’s receiving profile is nothing to get excited about, but he is one of the best run blockers in the NFL at the position. His 72.3 PFF run blocking grade across the past two seasons ranks fourth among tight ends, helping him earn the 14th-best PFF overall grade. He did enjoy a career year as a receiver in 2024, catching a career-high 52 passes and 497 yards in his first season with the Chargers.”
Dissly is a fine player, and as Kosko said, he is fantastic in the running game. But the Chargers need a bolt (pun-intending) of energy when it comes to a receiving threat.
Gadsden II can potentially become that threat as his career progresses, but that is asking a lot of a 5th-round pick.
Related: Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart
Conklin is another option, but his profile is nearly identical to that of Dissly’s. He finished last season with 51 receptions and 449 yards.
It is very clear that Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman want to run the football. That became even more evident when they used their first-round pick on running back Omarion Hampton after just signing Najee Harris in free agency.
Dissly certainly is dependable in that department. However, if the mission of the offseason was to get Justin Herbert more weapons, the Chargers front office may have failed in that regard.