The 2024 NFL Draft is the focus of every team in the league, but that didn’t stop one organization from doing their homework on one of the top available players on the open market. Free agent DJ Chark is one of the best wide receivers left, and the Los Angeles Chargers brought him in for a visit on Thursday.
Chark, a former second-round pick, spent the 2023 season with the Carolina Panthers. The LSU product struggled to develop chemistry with quarterback Bryce Young, as the veteran finished the season with just 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns on 66 targets. Now a free agent, this underwhelming campaign is a large reason why he has yet to find a new team.
Despite the inefficient numbers, the wide receiver has a decent track record. While he probably won’t ever recapture his Pro Bowl form, DJ Chark can be a good fit as a free agent deep threat. He should be a better fit for the rocket-armed Justin Herbert in Jim Harbaugh’s offense.
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Chargers Host Free Agent DJ Chark Ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
This free agent visit does not mean that DJ Chark will be a Charger by the end of the day. With the 2024 NFL Draft right around the corner, it’s not likely that any team will sign any notable free agent before the big event. You can chalk this visit up to due diligence – Los Angeles will almost certainly draft a wide receiver or two early on, but this team needs multiple starters. Depending on what happens in the draft, the Chargers could use another set of hands, and Chark could be on speed dial for the organization.
Of course, Los Angeles won’t be the only team looking for a free agent like DJ Chark. While this is a talented class of wide receivers, there are only so many to go around. If these five teams miss on their preferred prospects, they could go after the former Panthers.
Other Potential Destinations
New England Patriots
Whether it’s Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, or J.J. McCarthy, the Patriots will have a new quarterback in 2024. However, that player is going to need some more support if they want him to succeed. DJ Chark might not be the second coming of Randy Moss, but he’s a better deep threat than Tyquan Thornton. Ideally, the Patriots will invest in at least one or two receivers during the draft, but Chark could be a fine short-term veteran for this team.
Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson is a dangerous deep threat when healthy, but he’s never healthy. The former second-round pick has appeared in just 23 games through the first two years of his career, and Green Bay should be questioning whether his body can handle football’s physical nature. The Packers are normally quiet on the free agent front, but they could make an exception for a cheap deep threat like DJ Chark.
Kansas City Chiefs
Even if Rashee Rice returns in 2024, the Chiefs could still use another wide receiver. Marquise Brown is a fine short-term option, but this team is one injury (or Rice suspension) from having Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore battle for playing time. DJ Chark won’t break the bank as a free agent and should be better than either player.
New York Giants
The Giants have one of the worst collections of wide receivers in the game, and that’s before you account for Darius Slayton’s holdout. New York might be stuck with Daniel Jones for one more season, which means that they’ll have to surround him with some more talent. Jones isn’t good enough to elevate his supporting cast, but he can win in the right environment. DJ Chark won’t singlehandedly turn him into an All-Pro, but he could provide a steadying veteran presence in a competitive division.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have two great receivers in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. However, they could use some more depth. With Quez Watkins signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent, DJ Chark could be the new deep-threat depth option in the offense. Chark is better off in a reserve role at this point in his career and could thrive in a talented Eagles offense.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
