Unlike most other non-quarterback positions, usually only one tight end ends up being particularly relevant on a team. Yet that one can still be quite important – especially if a quarterback likes looking to tight ends, or there is a deficit at the wide receiver position. There is some question about whether the starter of the Chargers tight ends might change – and there is also question about what the rest of the depth chart will look like.
2024 Chargers Offseason Preview: Tight Ends
Gerald Everett: In or Out?
Gerald Everett was brought in to be the starting tight end in 2022. He finished with 555 yards that year, and while he wasn’t spectacular or anything, he was quite serviceable. He finished with only 411 yards in 2023 instead. This was partially due to being bogged down by injuries, but Justin Herbert also just didn’t look his way as much.
Everett is no lock to be brought back; despite having some good talent, the results have been mixed. Then again, the Chargers could potentially opt to bring him back simply because he will not be expensive, and to help keep a degree of continuity. This may also depend heavily on their plans for their plans for the Draft – more on that later.
The Backups: Donald Parham and Stone Smartt
Unlike Everett, Donald Parham and Stone Smartt are still under contract. Parham actually had a career year in 2023, finishing with 27 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns. He had to step in for Everett more than before, and did well enough that his job should be secure. He has never been the greatest blocker, but he’s gotten better, and his size makes him remain a dangerous red zone threat.
Stone Smartt emerged as a solid additional backup option in his second year, pulling in 11 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown. He may be nothing special, but he has shown promise, and we may have not seen his ceiling yet. We will see if he makes a play for the TE2 spot.
Other: Nick Vannett
There’s one other name from the 2023 Chargers roster of tight ends that we haven’t mentioned yet – Nick Vannett, who is a free agent. He was signed to the practice squad just before the start of the season, and activated to the active roster midway through the season – in part to add another blocking tight end into the mix. He didn’t do much, never playing more than 30% of snaps in a game, and only getting one catch all year. It’s hard to imagine him being brought back unless they were particularly desperate for a blocking help from a tight end.
The Outside Options
It seems unlikely the Chargers would bring in a new starting tight end via free agency – they’d likely sooner just stick with Gerald Everett since he’d be familiar to Herbert and likely inexpensive. If they really wanted to move on and not wait until the Draft, Noah Fant is a plausible replacement.
More likely, if they move on from Everett and let him walk, they will look to the Draft. With the #5 overall pick, they would almost certainly be able to draft the best tight end of the class – Brock Bowers – if they so desired. With varying degrees of All-American recognition each year, he’s looking to be the best tight end prospect in the Draft since Kyle Pitts. If they went with a wide receiver or another position instead, they would have to wait until Ja’Tavion Sanders or Jaheim Bell in the second or third round.
So essentially, what the entire offseason will likely come down to for the Chargers at tight end is: keep Gerald Everett or use the first-round pick on Brock Bowers. There may be a few other possibilities, but they are all much less likely. Of course, if they do let Everett walk (and don’t sign another free agent), it may give away their Draft plans, since they won’t have much in the way of alternatives that could contribute right away.
Main Photo: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
