The Chargers have been at their best as a running team the last couple of years, with top pick Melvin Gordon the likely beneficiary. But the passing game under Philip Rivers has also had its moment, so there will be some value in its receiving corps, too.
Antonio Gates is suspended for the first four games of the season, and while Ladarius Green is the most obvious player to see an increase in snaps, there will be more looks for the wide receivers. This article at Chargers.com takes a look at all the candidates, with Keenan Allen the clear No. 1 and Stevie Johnson looking like the favorite to be the No. 2 option.
Malcom Floyd might be the actual starter across from Allen, but he's primarily a downfield threat running deeper routes. Johnson, in contrast, is expected to run both outside routes and operate out of the slot. He's also five years younger than Floyd, so he figures to see more snaps and be more effective with them.
Especially with Gates on the shelf, three wide receiver sets should be the norm. The past couple of years those opportunities benefited Eddie Royal, particularly around the goal line; now it's Johnson.
We'll see how it plays out; maybe Green exceeds expectations and finally gets his chance to be a big part of the passing game. But quietly Johnson looks like a guy who could turn into a nice No. 2 option for Rivers, and an undervalued fantasy receiver.
--Andy Richardson
