Los Angeles Chargers Saturday Mailbag: Mike Williams to the slot and more
By Tyler Schoon
For all your questions and topics surrounding the Los Angeles Chargers, here’s a weekly mailbag that covers it all…
Whether you’re returning from last week or just finding this for the first time today, welcome to the Los Angeles Chargers NFL Spin Zone Mailbag!
This weekly installment covers all things Chargers, from questions submitted by YOU!
If you’d like to be a part of the mailbag (you should), go ahead and send your submissions to any one of these three:
- Post in the comments section
- On Twitter to @tjscooter30
- By email (for longer submissions or multiple questions) at lacbag18@gmail.com
If you sent something in last week and do not see it answered down below, do not worry! It will be in the following mailbag OR will be turned into its own article. As for this article, let’s take a look…
Question 1: Tyler, do you believe Mike Williams will replace Tyrell Williams at WR2? If so, does Ty move to the slot? -ezloan1
I have to imagine that’s likely the eventual goal, but I believe we are going to see Mike Williams take play the inside a lot in 2018. Although not your typical slot receiver type, he was a great college receiver when it came to tough catches and contested balls. Philip Rivers needs that kind of presence on the inside, something that he was going to have in a rising talent already on the roster. Unfortunately, Hunter Henry tore his ACL in a tragic no-contact accident, leaving a void when it comes to trustworthy big-bodied receivers in the middle of the field.
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Keenan Allen will always be the route-running superstar, but I still think when it comes to those big-time catches Mike Williams should be the go-to. Has he earned it? Not last year. But he was drafted to come in and catch across the middle. Here’s an excerpt from Williams’ 2017 NFL.com Draft Profile:
"Long arms and big hands can go get throws at their highest point, snatching 50/50 balls away from his in-air competitors. Ball tracking is impeccable. Able to track it inside, outside or over his shoulder. Hands catcher who plucks it away from his body.Concentration ramps up when routes take him between the hashes. Works middle of the field with no reservations about what is lingering."
I also don’t think Tyrell Williams is best suited as a slot guy, and should remain on the outside as the “second wide receiver”. After watching him last year, I have a better understanding of what he’s capable of and I think his big-play ability and shallow cross/drag routes are best suited on the outside.
Not that you’ve said this, but don’t mistake Mike Williams playing in the slot as the “third guy” as a negative. There are lofty expectations for a former No. 7 overall selection, but he can truly make a living killing defenders on the inside too.
Question 2: You should talk about the player all the Chargers are talking about Whitney Richardson will not only make this team but make McCain and Liuget a distant memory. Beast, very, very quick. -Jeffery.
I gotta ask: When the heck did everyone jump on board the Whitney Richardson hype train?
He’s a big and fast dude, sure, but man do people have lofty expectations for this guy. Talent and athleticism aside, he’s not in a favorable spot on the depth chart. Currently, the defensive end is definitely behind two superstars in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, and I believe is behind Isaac Rochell (last year’s seventh round selection) and possibly even Chris Landrum as well.
Remember Landrum? He was the “big body big talent” hype train guy a few years ago. After being lost for the entire season last year, he’s looking to find a role this year. And, as it turns out, the coaches may have some rotational plans for him behind Ingram:
So back to Richardson…sorry, I’m not buying it yet. I’ll be there at almost every 2018 training camp practice, though, as I live quite close. If Richardson looks to be playing solid and makes plays in the pre-season, you’ll be the first person I’ll credit for predicting big things from him ahead of time. I just don’t see it happening, which isn’t what you’d want to hear, but I have a hard time seeing it.
That’s it for the mailbag, and here’s why: Most of your questions were (rightfully so) about Hunter Henry and the ramifications of his injury. Instead of putting that into the mailbag, I’m going to put out an article focusing on it. So for the number of you who asked, thank you, and you’ll see your question answered in a full article soon!