If it seems like we've been talking a lot about Chargers wide receivers lately, we have. They don't have much at the position, and they seem to be kicking the tires on a lot of potential candidates. Another veteran lofts his hat into the ring this week: DJ Chark.
The former second-round pick put up a 1,000-yard season for the Jaguars five years ago, looking like he'd be a significant performer at the time. But he wasn't much of a factor the next two years, with injury wiping out most of one of them, and now he's bounced on and off the Lions and Panthers rosters the last two seasons. But he's just 27 years old, and he did do some good things for those two teams.
Most notably, getting downfield. Chark averaged nearly 17 yards per catch with Detroit, and over 15 yards per catch in Carolina. Considering he was working with struggling rookie Bryce Young last year, that's kind of impressive. Pairing him with Justin Herbert in an offense that lost Mike Williams in free agency and traded away Keenan Allen would give Chark some potential to be a No. 1 wide receiver -- better than Joshua Palmer, and more proven than second-year guy Quentin Johnston.
Over the last two seasons, there have been 32 instances of a wide receiver seeing at least 50 targets and averaging at least 15 yards per catch. Chark's one of only four players to do it both seasons.
| WRS AVERAGING 15 YARDS PER CATCH, 2022-2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2023 | George Pickens, Pitt. | 106 | 63 | 1140 | 18.1 | 5 |
| 2022 | Jaylen Waddle, Mia. | 117 | 75 | 1356 | 18.1 | 8 |
| 2023 | Brandon Aiyuk, S.F. | 105 | 75 | 1342 | 17.9 | 7 |
| 2022 | Gabe Davis, Buff. | 93 | 48 | 836 | 17.4 | 7 |
| 2023 | Amari Cooper, Cle. | 128 | 72 | 1250 | 17.4 | 5 |
| 2023 | Noah Brown, Hou. | 55 | 33 | 567 | 17.2 | 2 |
| 2023 | Justin Watson, K.C. | 53 | 27 | 460 | 17.0 | 3 |
| 2022 | A.J. Brown, Phil. | 145 | 88 | 1496 | 17.0 | 11 |
| 2023 | DK Metcalf, Sea. | 119 | 66 | 1114 | 16.9 | 8 |
| 2022 | Corey Davis, NYJ | 64 | 32 | 536 | 16.8 | 2 |
| 2022 | DJ Chark, Det. | 52 | 30 | 502 | 16.7 | 3 |
| 2023 | Gabe Davis, Buff. | 81 | 45 | 746 | 16.6 | 7 |
| 2022 | Marquez Valdes-Scantling, K.C. | 81 | 42 | 687 | 16.4 | 2 |
| 2023 | Nico Collins, Hou. | 109 | 80 | 1297 | 16.2 | 8 |
| 2023 | Odell Beckham, Balt. | 64 | 35 | 565 | 16.1 | 3 |
| 2023 | Alec Pierce, Ind. | 65 | 32 | 514 | 16.1 | 2 |
| 2023 | Mike Evans, T.B. | 136 | 79 | 1255 | 15.9 | 13 |
| 2022 | Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Ten. | 50 | 25 | 397 | 15.9 | 3 |
| 2023 | Justin Jefferson, Min. | 100 | 68 | 1074 | 15.8 | 5 |
| 2022 | Darius Slayton, NYG | 71 | 46 | 724 | 15.7 | 2 |
| 2023 | Rashid Shaheed, N.O. | 75 | 46 | 719 | 15.6 | 6 |
| 2023 | Tee Higgins, Cin. | 76 | 42 | 656 | 15.6 | 5 |
| 2022 | Terry McLaurin, Was. | 120 | 77 | 1191 | 15.5 | 5 |
| 2022 | George Pickens, Pitt. | 84 | 52 | 801 | 15.4 | 5 |
| 2023 | Darius Slayton, NYG | 79 | 50 | 770 | 15.4 | 4 |
| 2023 | Josh Palmer, LAC | 61 | 38 | 581 | 15.3 | 2 |
| 2023 | Josh Reynolds, Det. | 64 | 40 | 608 | 15.2 | 5 |
| 2022 | Davante Adams, L.V. | 180 | 100 | 1516 | 15.2 | 14 |
| 2023 | Tyreek Hill, Mia. | 171 | 119 | 1799 | 15.1 | 13 |
| 2023 | Tank Dell, Hou. | 75 | 47 | 709 | 15.1 | 7 |
| 2023 | Christian Watson, G.B. | 53 | 28 | 422 | 15.1 | 5 |
| 2023 | DJ Chark, Car. | 66 | 35 | 525 | 15.0 | 5 |
That in itself is not enough to make Chark a desirable fantasy option. As we've noted, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman's team is doubtless going to lean on the run. But we'll see. With Chark's strengths, volume isn't necessarily key to him putting up good weekly production. If he signs with the Chargers, he could emerge as a favored target for Justin Herbert when the offense lets him throw, piling up good numbers (yardage and touchdown, if not receptions) in a lot of games.
--Andy Richardson