The Los Angeles Chargers tight ends group faced some change this off-season – namely in that Gerald Everett was allowed to walk, and they brought in not one but two “replacements,” of sorts. Although one has a slight edge, neither of them are really clear and obvious TE1s – leading one to wonder if there is going to be more of a tight end committee approach of sorts. At any rate, let’s take a look at what the Chargers tight end corps are going to look like in the 2024 season.
2024 Los Angeles Chargers Tight End Corps
Hayden Hurst
Hayden Hurst was one of the two newcomers this off-season. Of the two newcomers, he has a better history; he had 571 yards and six touchdowns in 2020 with the Falcons. He hasn’t crossed 500 yards again since. He is definitely capable of making plays, but his ceiling is arguably lower than that of Everett’s.
What is more concerning is that last season, he suffered a rather nasty concussion that led to post-traumatic amnesia. This news got a bit overlooked last year – probably because the Panthers were such a dumpster fire – but this does cast concerns on his future in football. If he’s recovered and is able to play, great, but how well he can return to form is something to monitor.
Will Dissly
Will Dissly was brought in likely more for his blocking ability, but he’s capable of making big plays as well. His career high in yardage is only 349 (in 2022), but he can surprise every so often. He could make for a very solid TE2 to help out with blocking and make the occasional catch here and there, and would be a good backup to have in case anything happens to Hurst – though it’s not out of the question that Dissly could win the starting job instead.
It does seem a little odd that the Chargers didn’t try to improve over Everett in free agency or even the Draft – Justin Herbert does like to look to tight ends, and neither Hurst nor Dissly really scream “security blanket.” Granted, neither did Everett, but he had higher upside. Both Hurst and Dissly were on the cheaper side, though, and considering Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s emphasis on improving the offensive line and blocking, these moves do figure to help with that.
Donald Parham
Donald Parham is one of the returning tight ends on the team. Most fans likely know what he’s capable of by now; he’s not much of a blocker, but his height and athleticism make him a nasty red-zone threat. It’s unclear what his role will be under the Harbaugh regime; it’s not out of the question that his roster spot could be in danger, given Harbaugh’s preference for good blockers at tight end. It would seem a mistake to let that talent at pass-catching go to waste, though. Even if he remained just a red-zone threat, he could remain valuable for that reason.
Everyone Else
Stone Smartt is an interesting player to watch; like Parham, he’s not much of a blocker, but he’s a solid route-runner and can make some fine catches. He’s a bit of a dark horse, but he’s still fairly young with only two NFL seasons under his belt; if he gets better at blocking, he could make a play for a roster spot.
There are two undrafted free agents this year among the Chargers tight ends – Zach Heins and Luke Benson. Heins is one potential UDFA to watch – at 6’7 and with apparently reliable hands, he could be a matchup problem for defenders. His blocking ability could make him a threat to take Parham’s spot in particular. Benson may also be competing with Ben Mason for the fullback spot, but at the moment that seems like a long shot.
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