The Los Angeles Chargers fell well-short of expectations in 2019. Entering the season as a presumed-Super Bowl contender, the Bolts fell flat from the get-go, culminating in a lost campaign that leaves more questions than answers. The Chargers went 5-11, last in the AFC West and will enter a potentially franchise-altering offseason.
Despite gloomy days in Southern California, the Chargers do have something to brag about. Multiple players exceeded expectations and look like building blocks for the future.
Here are three of those players:
3. TE Hunter Henry
If not for a knee injury, Hunter Henry would be enjoying Orlando air. The Arkansas product improved in all-facts in his contract year, and will surely be paid for those efforts.
In 12 games, Henry tallied 55 receptions for 652 yards and five touchdowns. After missing Weeks 2 through 5 with a tibial plateau fracture, the fourth-year tight end put on a clinic. In his return — in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers — he racked up 100 yards and two touchdowns. Throughout the season, he dominated as a “move” tight end like many other Chargers greats have.
Henry is a dynamic weapon. Nobody saw that in 2018, as he didn't play with a torn ACL. However, if not for his continued struggles with lower-body injuries, he would be talked about as one of the NFL's best at the position more often.
2. FB Derek Watt
The fullback is dying. The position, in the eyes of many, is more of a novelty than a centerpiece like it once was. Naturally, you'd question why this list starts with a fullback, especially one that played more than 28% offensive snaps in a game just once in 2019.
Why is Derek Watt on this list? Special teams. The brother of JJ and TJ, Watt led the NFL in special teams tackles in 2019 with 16. He flew all over the field. If it weren't for the Chargers' seemingly annual special teams woes, he would have received more than two All-Pro votes.
It doesn't hurt that Watt continues to play football the #footballguy way, paving lanes in the run game and chip-blocking when he needs to.
1. RB Austin Ekeler
Who else would it have been?
In a season in which the Chargers saw Philip Rivers' production dip in touchdowns and rise in interceptions, Ekeler was the star in Los Angeles' backfield. Not even Melvin Gordon — who missed weeks with a holdout but eventually got back up to speed — would argue with that.
Once a little-known undrafted (2017) product out of Western State, Ekeler enjoyed one of the most productive receiving seasons for a running back ever in 2019. In addition to his 557 yards and three touchdowns rushing, the 5-10, 200-pound back recorded 92 receptions for 993 yards and eight touchdowns in year three.
“He's so versatile,” offensive coordinator Shane Steichen said of Ekeler, via the team's official website. “Just starting to put him out wide and running the routes that he's been able to run, running the route tree, and then obviously making guys miss in the open field. That's one of his strong points.”
Whether the Chargers lined him up as a back, in the slot or out-wide, Ekeler was a dynamic threat in 2019. Every time he touched the ball, he produced.
Ekeler may not be the Chargers' most improved player of 2019, he may be their MVP.
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