The Los Angeles Chargers are in the wide receiver market, which could be bad news for Josh Palmer. After releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen, Palmer had a clear path to being a featured part in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. Prior to the NFL Draft, the Tennessee product was arguably the top option on the depth chart, along with 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston. While everybody knew the Chargers would add a receiver or two to the depth chart, nobody expected them to be this aggressive.
Los Angeles predictably selected Georgia’s Ladd McConkey in the second round of the NFL Draft. After that, however, the Chargers sunk two Day 3 picks into Cornelius Johnson and Brenden Rice. Shortly after that, Los Angeles signed veteran wideout DJ Chark and brought in Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a free agent visit. While Valdes-Scantling is still unsigned as of this posting, nobody should be surprised if he eventually joins the club.
Chargers Could Release Josh Palmer Following Latest Signings
Outside of McConkey, none of the aforementioned players possess game-breaking upside. However, all of them can be reliable depth options, and the fact the Chargers are adding so many players of this nature implies that the team isn’t sold on Josh Palmer. Quentin Johnson’s draft capital ensures he’ll be around for another season, but Palmer has no such guarantee. There are only a finite number of roster spots available, and Jim Harbaugh might not like what Palmer brings to the table.
After spending his first two years in Joe Lombardi’s obnoxiously conservative scheme, Josh Palmer started to show some downfield abilities in his third season with the Chargers. While injuries to Mike Williams certainly played a role in this usage, the former third-round pick finished the 2023 season with an 11.4-yard average depth of target. He made the most of these downfield opportunities, recording 38 receptions for 581 yards and two touchdowns on 61 targets while appearing in 10 games.
Josh Palmer might not be a superstar, but he should have suitors if the Chargers part ways with him. While a transaction probably won’t happen until the end of the preseason, the wide receiver could end up in one of these uniforms in 2024.
Possible Next Teams
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have several holes on their roster and no money with which to fill them. While Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are a solid duo, they could use a third option to fill the Michael Thomas role. While Josh Palmer isn’t the same type of player as Thomas, his 2022 season with the Chargers proved he can make plays closer to the line of scrimmage. Last year, Thomas had an 8.9-yard average depth of target, close to the 8.7 Palmer put up as a second-year pro.
New England Patriots
Much like the Chargers, the Patriots are attacking the wide receiver position with numbers, and they could add Josh Palmer to the ranks. While rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker have plenty of promise, this team needs a veteran capable of getting open deep. With Tyquan Thornton disappointing, New England could substitute his unpolished raw speed for Palmer’s slower but more refined ability to get open deep.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens selected Devontez Walker in the fourth round, but the UNC product isn’t a natural fit for the Odell Beckham role. Seeing as Baltimore had to watch several free agents depart in the offseason, they probably don’t have the money to trade for a big-name player to pair with Zay Flowers. With this in mind, the team could wait to see if the Chargers release Josh Palmer and claim him on waivers.
Kansas City Chiefs
If everything goes according to plan in 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs will not need Josh Palmer. However, things probably won’t go according to plan. Rashee Rice will face a suspension, and Xavier Worthy might need time to adjust to the NFL. If and when that happens, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore could be back on the field, and the Chiefs need to avoid that at all costs. After sharing a division for three years, the Chiefs know what Josh Palmer brings to the table and should be willing to sign him if released by the Chargers.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers improved their wide receiver room with the Diontae Johnson trade and the selection of Xavier Legette. While Bryce Young has something to work with, this team could still use some veteran depth. Legette needed five years to break out in college, so it stands to reason he might struggle to adapt to the NFL. If that happens, Palmer’s presence will ensure there are at least three competent receivers on the field on any given play.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
