The Los Angeles Chargers are ending off a disappointing 2023 season and are desperately looking for players who can raise their stock in hopes of building around them for the 2024 Chargers team. There is already a core that the future general manager and head coach can build around. With assets Rashawn Slater, Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Derwin James. Other than these stars, some of which are aging or declining, there need to be more players to step up.
3 Los Angeles Chargers Who Can Raise Their 2024 Stock With a Solid Week 18
Easton Stick
There is a saying that goes “You are only as good as your backup quarterback.” This has become true during the course of the 2023 Charger season. With Justin Herbert banged up the reigns were handed to Easton Stick. Stick has not been awful during his time as the starter. But he has not warranted an extension after this season to become part of the 2024 Chargers team.
A strong week 18 performance will greatly improve his stock for a spot on the 2024 Chargers team. Stick so far has recorded 871 passing yards on 127 attempts, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. With four total touchdowns four fumbles and an interception, Stick has not been prone to protect the football on the ground/in the pocket. Though, he has been effective as a passer in limiting thrown interceptions.
If Stick continues his current play, he will likely not be around for the 2024 Chargers. A promising week 18 could change that. There would be a reason for the Chargers to keep him around as the long-term backup quarterback.
Isaiah Spiller
Isaiah Spiller is a complicated case, to really no fault of his own. When given a reasonable amount of carries to gain a rhythm, which all runningbacks need- especially a patient runner like Spiller, he made the most of what was given to him. However, many will see his 2.6 yards per attempt this season and ask why is he getting any praise whatsoever. Though it looks bad on the stat sheet, it does not tell the entire story.
Spiller has been given plenty of carries where the offensive line has given him nothing to work with. This as well as poorly timed runs where the defense can easily pick up on what is coming to them. In the one game where Spiller practically was the main rusher, he forced four missed tackles on 17 attempts. Showing his ability to create as much as he possibly could in a game where the Chargers could not do anything on the ground.
For Spiller to show the future head coach and general manager what he has, he needs to show one more strong game on tape. Two decent games are a much better look than one. This week 18 game against the Chiefs would be the perfect game to showcase his abilities, auditioning himself into a much better role for the 2024 season.
Alohi Gilman
Alohi Gilman is a Charger playmaker who does not get spoken about enough. He has been nothing but solid for the Bolts, exceeding expectations. Gilman was a 2020 sixth-round selection, working his way to the starting role next to Derwin James. This season, he has been a strong force, forcing turnovers and incompletions all over the field. You may ask, if he has been good, why does he need to raise his stock any more than anyone else should?
The answer falls into two parts: Contract and in-house Replacements. His contract is up after this season, and if he wants to be paid like a starting safety, he needs another exclamation point-like game on his resume. The Chargers can also let him go and get closer to getting in the positive in their cap situation. Doing so would leave a few options for the penciled-in starter at free safety for the 2024 Chargers team. These guys would be Jaylinn Hawkins, JT Woods, and Raheem Layne.
Hawkins has been very solid in his time with the Bolts, giving them quality play as a chess piece. He would be my personal favorite if the Chargers decide to not bring back Gilman, and not explore outside free agents. Woods was a third-round selection and has yet to do anything in the league. Though he has blazing speed and range, he has either been not suited up due to injury, or strictly on the bench.
Layne has improved every season with the Chargers and is following the Adrian Philips trajectory quite well thus far. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL this season and will face a steep uphill battle even to make the team next year. The Chargers do not have plenty of cap space to go around. With a strong week 18 performance, Gilman should be a priority to bring back for the 2024 Chargers team as an experienced playmaking safety.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
