The Chargers will kick off the 2023 NFL season against the Dolphins on Sunday. As an exercise, we’re hypothetically stealing one player from Miami that we think would take our current team to the next level.
Los Angeles managed to secure a win against Miami in the 2022 season – a much-needed rematch after their 2020 loss. With an opportunity to prove themselves against the Dolphins again, the Chargers will have to go up against a fast and thrilling offense – one captained by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa but pushed forward by wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who happens to be the exact player who could take the Bolts’ offense to scary new heights.
Buy Chargers TicketsWhile Hill may not be the type of player that general manager Tom Telesco would choose due to off-field issues and locker room mentality, he would objectively fill a much-needed hole for the Chargers on offense – speed. The wide receiver room is full of big players, with Keenan Allen standing at 6-foot-2, Mike Williams at 6-foot-4, Joshua Palmer at 6-foot-1, and Quentin Johnston at 6-foot-4. While Johnston does bring the Chargers some in-game speed, there is no one else like Tyreek Hill.
Hill’s explosiveness off the line and ability to create separation from the secondary is like no other. He is agile and jumpy, while still managing to be a fluid player who runs accurate routes and will dust other players on the straight. In 2022, Hill accumulated 1,710 yards over 119 receptions, averaging 14.4 yards per reception and managed to do so while playing several games receiving from a backup quarterback.
Hill also has great hands with a career catch rating of 68.1% which is almost right in line with Allen, who sits at 68.7%. With the Chargers struggling with drops over the past couple of years, adding a speed threat with great hands would have an incredible impact on the team – especially when you have a quarterback like Justin Herbert throwing the ball at some of the highest velocities in the league. Herbert’s power and accuracy paired with Hill’s speed and trickery would be a frightening combo for any opposing defense to cover and would allow for players like Allen, Gerald Everett, and Austin Ekeler to create more opportunities for themselves to succeed downfield since Tyreek is often doubled in the secondary. On top of this, head coach Brandon Staley had schemed defensive plans against the Chiefs while Tyreek was there, giving the Chargers an edge when discussing how they’d be able to utilize him to the best of his abilities. While the Bolts will be relying on speedy rookie punt return specialist Derius Davis this season, having a veteran like Hill bring his skill set to an offense on every snap would be a huge bonus in production and would definitely catapult the Chargers offense into a whole new territory.
