MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

The Chargers wide receiver options took a hit over the weekend with Seattle’s DK Metcalf being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rams landing Davante Adams with a two-year deal. So where do the Chargers turn now?

Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints could be one option. Olave was recently mentioned on “Saints Wire” as a possible candidate to be traded. It was suggested that the Saints may be ready to move on given Olave’s history of injuries. But that’s the red flag. Olave missed half of the season last year with concussions and has been concussed five times during his time in the NFL.

Since the Saints drafted him in 2022 Olave has had a couple of big years. In 2022 and ’23 he registered 1,000 yard seasons before an injury riddled 2024. Do the Chargers want to roll the dice?

Joshua Palmer, who had 39 catches for 584 yards and a touchdown last year for the Chargers is off the market now as he just signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. The Chargers still have Ladd McConkey, who led the team in receiving last season in his rookie year, but after that the pickings are slim.

Keenan Allen and Mike Williams’ names have even been tossed in the ring as potential candidates to return to the Chargers to shore things up. The best option however may be in the same building. Cooper Kupp would check several boxes. Kupp is a veteran receiver and a great locker room guy who could be a mentor to not only McConkey but other young Chargers’ player as well. If he can stay healthy, and as of late that has been a big if, he can still be productive. The Rams just announced that they will release Kupp March 12 if they cannot find a trade partner so the Chargers could pick him up on the cheap. Now that seems like some dice worth rolling.

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The Chargers have released running back Gus Edwards which will save the team $3.13 million in cap space. The Chargers could still use a running back however and they might look at Omarion Hampton of North Carolina with their 22nd pick in the first round. Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, who the Chargers and head coach Jim Harbaugh like, probably won’t be available at 22 but the Chargers could turn their attention to tight end Mason Taylor of LSU in the second round to fill that need.

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The Chargers lost a defensive lineman when tackle Poona Ford signed a three-year, $29.6 million deal with the Rams. Yes, the Rams stole another one. At less than $10 million a year Ford seemed like a good fit to return after a solid season last year. The Chargers were able to retain edge rusher Khalil Mack however inking him to a one-year, fully guaranteed, $18 million deal. It was an expected move after the team released Joey Bosa.

The Chargers made one other move to bolster their secondary. They signed cornerback Donte Jackson, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, to a two-year, $13 million contract.

UPDATE: The Chargers signed running back Najee Harris to a one-year, $9.25 million contract Tuesday. Harris spent the first four years of his career with the Steelers and rushed for at least 1,000 yards in all four seasons. That should solve the Chargers running back needs for now.

The Chargers lost cornerback Kristian Fulton who signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs Tuesday. $15 million is guaranteed.