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The San Diego Chargers wide receivers are a consistent example of inconsistency. Yet despite all their flaws, they have guys who certainly make big plays. Are they worth the risk? Let’s take a quick look and find out.
Danario Alexander tore his ACL recently, so there goes one receiver capable of 5-10 TDs and 600-plus yards. With his injury Vincent Brown now is locked in a battle for the No. 1 receiver spot with Malcom Floyd. You might recall Brown was on a tear last preseason before he broke an ankle and missed all of 2012. Last year, Antonio Gates stated Brown is the best route runner on the team. If he can stay healthy, I think the third-year receiver is capable of putting up bottom-end WR1 or high-end WR2 numbers. Also, year three is usually when the light clicks for receivers and I believe in Brown.
Despite the inconsistent play of Philip Rivers in 2012, he still has a cannon of an arm and is only two seasons removed from a run of four years where he was fully entrenched as a top-tier quarterback, along with the likes of Drew Brees and Tom Brady.
Floyd is right on par with Brown. Currently listed as the WR1 on the Chargers depth chart, Floyd will lose targets to Brown (and vice versa) until one steps up to claim the top spot. Even with Brown, Floyd is capable of putting up 800-plus yards and 5-7 TDs. What you need to know about Floyd is that he historically hits about the 50-60 yard mark each week, only missing that target four times last season. He potted 5 TDs last season and had six weeks of 10-plus fantasy points in 2012. While I’m not sold on either Brown or Floyd as my top WR choice, if I can grab either for my WR2/Flex spots in later rounds, I think either’s ceiling is high enough to warrant taking them.
Robert Meachem never seemed to find the chemistry with Rivers that he had with Brees in New Orleans, putting up 207 yards and two TDs in 2012. If he can connect with Rivers the way he did with Brees, and stay healthy, a 2013 line of around 500 yards and five TDs is not unfathomable. However, healthy is a big “if” this season. Reports out of San Diego indicate that Meachem’s body is breaking down, and that he has appeared lost in new OC Ken Whisenhunt’s system, and his routes looked terrible in Thursday’s game. As a former Meachem owner (when he was in N.O.) I noticed he was usually feast or famine. I wouldn’t risk even a late-round pick on Meachem at this point.
Eddie Royal is listed as the WR3 for the Chargers. Royal does seem to have a lock on the punt returner position, so if your league awards those types of yards heavily, he could be worth a roster spot. If not, stay away. On the receiving end Royal is not a viable option unless he hits the end zone. He averages less than 30 yards combined between punt returns and receiving yards. He is not a fantasy option. You can round out your WR3 or flex spot better by acquiring a Justin Blackmon, T.Y. Hilton or Michael Floyd-type player.
Dustin Manko is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustinManko, ”Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
