Fantasy- 32 Teams in 32 Days- The Los Angeles Chargers
By Matt Mikolas
Off-Season Overview: The Los Angeles Chargers
Still not used to it. Can’t get used to it. It’s the San Diego Chargers; I can’t shake it. Ok fine it is the Los Angeles Chargers
Speaking of the Chargers, these guys are a sneaky dark horse pick to win the AFC West, and could even go deep in the playoffs.
Could.
We’re talking about a franchise that rarely cashes in on potential.
But, for your fantasy football purposes, what happens between weeks 1-16 are what really matters. And, it could be a lot.
Melvin Gordon returns as a top 7 running back, coming off a nearly 1,600 all-purpose yard, 12 touchdown 2017.
The (nearly) always solid, usually cheap Philip Rivers returns in 2018, coming off his first full season of a healthy Keenan Allen. And those keeper/dynasty owners who were patient with Allen FINALLY saw big returns on their investments last year. When healthy, Allen is a top 5 wide receiver in all formats.
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Not a lot of changes on this Chargers team. The biggest addition was probably the drafting of safety Derwin James, who will help a defense that was already toward the top of the league.
Two preseason injuries hurt the Bolts: TE Hunter Henry, who tore his ACL, and CB Jason Verrett, who will be out AGAIN in 2018, this time with a torn Achilles. With Verrett joining James in the secondary, the Chargers had a chance at having maybe the best defense in fantasy.
I Gotta Get Me One of Those!
Keenan Allen, man. He’s really really really good. Hunter Henry’s injury will just mean more targets for Allen. Which means a likely improvement on his 102/1,393/6 season last year. Only freak injury will derail Allen from being a top receiver in fantasy for 2018.
Buyer Beware
Austin Ekeler is kind of a chic PPR wonderboy kind of pick. People always want to be ahead of the curve, which is the right ploy, but it often results in more misses than hits. Gordon’s dominance in the running game will continue to cut into Ekeler’s production, meaning less receptions, less touchdowns, more mediocrity.
Stay Woke
I, and others were surprised when last season wrapped up and the Chargers D was top 5. I think they have a chance to be even better. Especially in leagues that give you points for sacks and TFL, the Chargers have a real shot to be top 3 this year. You should be able to get value on the pick when more highly touted defenses are taken toward the top of the D run.
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