How rare is it to see a fully healthy player make a roster after only recording one catch with a team? Especially after that team took three receivers in the following draft. This is probably not a common occurrence. With the stage set, Chargers new fan-favorite, Simi Fehoko has beat all the odds to make this final 53-man roster.
Chargers Preseason Star Beat All Odds to Make The Final 53-Man Roster
Who Is Simi Fehoko? High School & College Career
After recording some of Utah’s biggest receiving records during his illustrious career, Simi Fehoko decided to take his talents to the prestigious school of Stanford. The four-star recruit found himself in Korea on a 2-year long mission, leading him to become a bit late to his college football career. When he did decide to take his talents to the field, he dominated using his size and work ethic above all else.
Amidst the COVID-19 loitered season that was 2020, Fehoko was All-Pac-12 First-team. He recorded 37 receptions for 574 yards, a 15.5-yard average per reception, and 3 touchdowns in only six games. This is more than enough for Fehoko to have confidence in himself to declare for the 2021 NFL draft. Unfortunately, scouts only saw him as a day-three talent due to many problems having to do with his release and ability to create separation on routes, combined with his older age of 23 at the time of drafting. However, his height, weight, and speed combination combined with his production was more than enough to warrant a dart throw in the latter parts of the 2021 NFL draft. Fehoko was eventually selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (179th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The NFL Career of Chargers New Fan Favorite
The battle to see playing time was a very difficult one, as Simi Fehoko battled injuries and was merely a fifth-round pick trying to earn snaps over guys like CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Cedrick Wilson Jr, Michael Gallup, and Noah Brown. During the 2021 season, he appeared in five games but did not have any touches. In 2022, the former fifth-round selection had more of the same. He only recorded 3 catches for 24 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury and was placed on IR. He was eventually waived. The Los Angeles Chargers saw the potential of Fehoko and picked him up in December of 2023. The Bolts thought he would be a solid pickup considering their receiving corps was getting decimated for the second straight season.
After a stint with the Chargers that consisted of a single catch (which ended up being a nine-yard touchdown). Fehoko was still signed to a futures contract even under this complete regime change. This was his chance to crack this roster with a clean slate. Then the 2024 draft happened. This new regime drafted three receivers; Ladd McConkey in the second round, then both Brenden Rice and Cornelius Johnson in the seventh. Three more receivers to compete with for Fehoko.
Once the 2024 off-season kicked off, it was all gas, no breaks for Fehoko. He consistently impressed in training camp, reportedly struck up a friendship with starting quarterback, Justin Herbert, and was the only receiver who was able to produce under the atrocities of play that was Easton Stick and Luis Perez. Fehoko was a complete animal in the preseason, having the second-most yards of the entire preseason. His play earned him a roster spot. Jim Harbaugh did not lie when he mentioned: “Competitors are welcome”.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh on WR Simi Fehoko: "Competitors are welcome. He showed up again today. He showed up big in the game. He's redefining himself and his game. More physical, doing the things that competitors do to contribute to the team."
"He really belongs. He's starting…
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) August 19, 2024
Simi Fehoko’s Role in 2024
After seemingly doing the impossible, which was beating out a seventh-round selection where the front office openly said they had a much earlier grade on, while also forcing a run-heavy offense to carry seven receivers, Simi Fehoko has earned more than just a roster spot. His role with the team will initially fall into the special teams category of play, where he also impressed in the preseason with a 76.6 PFF grade.
Congrats to Simi Fehoko on making the initial 53-man roster.
Earned it as is, but solidified the spot with this play: pic.twitter.com/e7teVkUX33
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) August 27, 2024
Although, he really turned heads with his offensive performances in the 2024 preseason. He had a 90.4 offensive grade which was third across ALL receivers that had one or more targets in the preseason. The survivor of the initial 53-man roster cuts definitely deserves some look at the receiver. As everyone knows, the Chargers receiver room is very much a “by committee” approach until they find their true starting 3. Simi Fehoko can block, play special teams, catch the ball, and curate connections with any quarterback, he could very well be on the fast track to even more of a surprise than he already has been. Plenty of things can change from now to December. Fehoko showed how much can change from April to August. Why doubt him once again?
Main Photo: [Gary A. Vazquez] – USA Today Sports
