Chargers’ best rookie sleeper to make impact in 2024 NFL season

The Chargers moved on from Allen and Williams primarily for financial purposes. With the team a ways away from competing for a Super Bowl, it made sense to move on from two aging players and save roughly $43.1 in cap space in the process. However, those decisions present questions as to who exactly will replace those two.

The Chargers thought they got around this question when they selected TCU’s Quentin Johnston in the first round of last year’s draft. But then the pads came on. Johnston struggled mightily as a rookie, registering 38 receptions for 431 yards and two touchdowns.

In addition, Johnston averaged only 0.92 yards per route run according to playerprofiler.com. That ranked 89th among receivers. Also, Johnston showed very little polish as a route runner. The only route he won with at an above-average rate was screen routes.

Johnston looks more like a bust than a burgeoning star at this rate. There aren’t many better options in Los Angeles outside of him either. McConkey was one of the best route runners in this year’s class, so his skill along with his draft capital should have him regarded as the number one option in their pass attack.

But after him and Johnston are the likes of Joshua Palmer, journeyman DJ Chark Jr., and special teamer Derius Davis. Palmer is a fine player and Chark has speed to burn, but neither is entitled to be a full-time starter for the entirety of the 2024 season. There is an opportunity here for Rice to earn a role. He has the game to make the most of it too.

Chargers see Rice’s versatility

A big plus to Rice’s skillset is that he can play anywhere on the field. That’s what he did in his two years at USC after transferring there from the University of Colorado. At 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, Rice can bully smaller corners on the outside to win in the short and intermediate game.

Bully ball isn’t the only arrow Rice has in his quiver. He’s got solid speed (4.5 40-yard dash) and agility for a receiver his size. That allows him to be able to operate in the slot as well and generate extra yards after the catch.

Rice’s collegiate career wasn’t exactly the most prolific. He landed with a bad Colorado program before transferring to a USC team loaded with future pro receivers. That’s the primary reason why he was drafted in the seventh round and finished with just 111 receptions, 1,821 yards, and 21 touchdowns across four seasons.

But that doesn’t mean that Rice can’t play or have a great NFL career despite his low draft status. He’s got game and has very manageable depth chart he can climb. It also doesn’t hurt to have Justin Herbert throwing the ball and Jerry Rice’s genetics. How Rice performs in preseason and training camp will be worth monitoring because it can translate to success in the regular season.