The Los Angeles Chargers have been gearing up to make a real Super Bowl push this season, but noticeably absent have been moves surrounding their young and thin wide receiver room.
The top teams in the league run through their pass catchers. If the Chargers front office truly wants to elevate this team, they will be making additions to this room in the offseason, looking for depth or, if they mean business, a big swing.
These are four wide receivers I can feasibly see the Chargers looking to acquire as they get this team ready for a playoff push.
Chargers could stand to bolster their WR room this offseason
George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
While Pickens recently signed the Franchise Tag with the Cowboys, the Chargers should still take a swing at acquiring this proven WR1 this offseason. Playing on the Franchise Tag while seeking a long-term contract is something players have been willing to sit out for in the past, and it wouldn't be surprising if Pickens changes strategies as the season approaches.
While Steven Jones has stated no desire to trade Pickens, the same rumblings came out surrounding Micah Parsons in the months and weeks leading up to his trade north to Green Bay. Another parallel to Micah's ugly exit from Dallas was the hiring of agent David Mulugheta by Pickens, the same agent Parsons retained while orchestrating his exit from Dallas.
The front office moves this offseason have season indicated that our team believes that they have what it takes to make a real push in the playoffs, while things in Dallas are pointing towards a retool. Extending a second wide receiver on a "WR1 contract" while another hefty wide receiver contract is on the books wouldn't be a sensible move for the Cowboys' front office.
However, for the Chargers, bringing in a bonafide first option for Herbert would be a game changer. Pickens has one of the best catch radiuses in the league, and has shown immense talent in the contested catch. Giving Herbert an option he can truly sling it to would let him show off his arm and bring this offense to the next level.
While the default offer for a franchise-tagged player is two first-round Picks, the Chargers could feasibly make an offer of a first and a third-round pick to Dallas and potentially get their WR1 of the future while solidifying the push for a Lombardi.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
Legette has a reputation in the league as a receiver with poor hands. He has seen his role on the Panthers diminish over his career. Originally a first-round Pick, Legette's career has been disappointing, and with the Panthers acquiring OROY Tetairoa McMillan last year, drafting Chris Brazzell II in this past year's draft, and Jalen Coker turning from a UDFA to a reliable receiver, Legette seems to be on the way out in Carolina.
However, despite all of those knocks on his game, there are two things that Legette excels in: a dominant size/speed combination, and blocking with intensity. Legette, despite his issues on a technical level, is a physical specimen, and in a Mike McDaniel offense, size and blocking ability can make or break a player's ability to hit the lineup.
Legette is a high effort player, and his blocking and physicality have been his saving grace in Carolina, but indications point towards the receiver being out, and bringing him cross-country could be cheap and give him the opportunity to reinvent himself in a Mike McDaniel offense.
Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Lost on the depth chart after the acquisitions of Michael Pittman and Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson's future in Pittsburgh is anything but certain. The receiver struggled to see the field in both years, and with a new offensive staff establishing themselves in Pittsburgh, Wilson doesn't have a great path to seeing the field in his future, unless he truly impresses in camp.
While Wilson didn't see much play in his two years in Pittsburgh, sidelined due to injury and later to inexperience, he does have a direct connection with Jim Harbaugh, having played under him at Michigan. Wilson even once donned a "Free Harbaugh" shirt during pre-game warmups.
The young receiver still has two years on his contract and is only 24 years old. He is still a high-potential player and could provide insurance and depth as a slot receiver in McDaniel's motion-heavy offensive scheme. Wilson's asking price likely wouldn't be too high, given the changes in Pittsburgh and his less-than-stellar performances thus far in his career, but being brought back to working under Harbaugh could revive back the Roman Wilson that was dissecting defenses in college.
Keenan Allen, Free Agent
Quentin Johnston is the most experienced receiver on the Chargers' roster right now, and a veteran presence is never a bad thing to have in a locker room, especially when you're looking to make a big push deep into the playoffs. Having that veteran presence belong to one of the most technically proficient receivers of all time only makes it better.
Bringing Keenan back home to the Chargers where he can be a secure mentor in a locker room full of young receivers with great physical traits would be a knockout move, and it won't cost the front office any picks.
Allen has always been known as a cerebral and technical receiver, and while he's lost a step as he's grown older, he's never been truly known as a speed threat. Having a superb route runner and reliable target for Herbert to move the sticks would allow for McDaniel to scheme McConkey and Johnston open downfield.
The Chargers are the most appealing landing spot for Allen currently, with a top quarterback and a clear role on the team. If the front office wants to make a serious run at the playoffs, bringing back Allen is a no-brainer and would bring about a veteran presence in the locker room that is sorely needed.
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