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By Robert Marvi
Contributing Sports Writer
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Things are looking up for the Los Angeles Chargers after their unexpected success last season in Jim Harbaugh's first year as their head coach. They went 11-6 and made the NFL playoffs despite having a lack of offensive weapons and stars on defense.
Ladd McConkey, a second-round draft pick in 2024, burst forth with 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. But for the Chargers to reach the postseason again, let alone make a run there, they will need another legitimate threat in their passing game.
They don't seem to have any real options right now, especially after veteran five-time Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper went to the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent on Monday. Their best bet may be in free agency next spring, and Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report suggested they go after Mike Evans at that time.
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"The Chargers are hoping Tre Harris is going to be able to make an impact as a second-round pick and just brought back Keenan Allen," Ballentine wrote. "That's the plan for filling out the receiving hierarchy outside of Ladd McConkey.
"Even if Harris turns out to be an answer, it isn't going to hurt to bring in another veteran next year. Mike Evans is in a contract year where his team drafted Emeka Egbuka in the first round and also re-signed Chris Godwin. If the Bucs don't want to pay for Evans, then the Chargers would be a logical landing spot.
"A starting trio of Evans, Harris and McConkey would give Justin Herbert plenty to work with."
Read more: Chargers' Trey Lance Deserves Starting Job With New Team
Evans, who just turned 32 years of age, has kept the Tampa Bay Buccaneers competitive over the years, whether their starting quarterback has been Josh McCown, Jameis Winston, Tom Brady or Baker Mayfield. He had 74 catches, 1,004 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last year, and he tied the legendary Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in NFL history with 11.
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The risk here is that due to the wear and tear he has accumulated, he may not have enough left in the tank to line up enough with Herbert's timeline. One has to assume that Harbaugh would prefer someone younger.
But at the very least, perhaps Evans could be a stopgap solution for a year or two while L.A. figures out a long-term solution or finds another gem in the draft.
Read more: Analyst Says 49ers Should Trade For Disgruntled AFC Wide Receiver
The team is ailing a bit at the wideout position right now. Quentin Johnston, who had been branded as a disappointment but scored eight touchdowns last year, suffered a concussion in an Aug. 16 preseason game versus the Los Angeles Rams. Harris, a second-round draft pick in April out of the University of Mississippi, is also injured right now.
It is hoped that Allen, who was a mainstay with the Chargers from 2013 to 2023, has enough left in the tank to produce at a solid level for one more season. Last year, he registered 70 catches, 744 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while with the Chicago Bears.
For more on the Chargers and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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