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After a lackluster finish to the 2012 season, many fantasy football owners were nervous about selecting any of the San Diego Chargers‘ skill players in 2013. Those who chose to draft any of the Chargers’ skill players last year were in for quiet a surprise.
Phillip Rivers became somewhat of a Renaissance man and led the group to be ranked fourth in the league in passing yards. Running back Ryan Mathews pulled off the unexpected as well, when he posted a career-high in rushing yards with 1,255. The performance was good enough to have the Chargers’ rushing attack finish the year ranked 13th in rushing yards. There is no doubt that Mathews excellent play aided the team’s passing attack. Whether he can sustain the level of success he enjoyed last year or not, the receiving corps will still be an exciting group to monitor in fantasy football.
Keenan Allen shocked the NFL last year when he had one of the best seasons for a rookie wideout ever. After the former Cal product tumbled into the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, no one expected him to have the type if season he had. Many fantasy owners may look to draft Allen early this year hoping to conjure up some of last year’s magic. Allen put up numbers that categorized him as a borderline WR1-WR2 category last year. Don’t expect him to improve drastically upon his production from last year, as defenses will look to key in on him as he adjusts to being a focal point of an offense. He will no doubt be a viable asset to any fantasy team this year, just don’t reach too highly for the young receiver.
After suffering a scary neck injury in the beginning of the season last year, reports from the media state that Malcolm Floyd is looking like his old self again. In the past three seasons before his injury, Floyd posted steady WR3 numbers. If he remains healthy, expect him to start opposite Allen and put up similar numbers to what he’s had in years past.
The 2013 campaign was a year in which San Diego’s receiving corps suffered a number of unforeseen injuries. Eddie Royal stepped up in a big way and impressed many fantasy owners reeling in eight touchdowns. Royal probably won’t receive the same opportunities he did last season and should be viewed as a solid WR4 and a player who is worthy of a bench stash.
Alexander Muir is a writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @AmuirAlex, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on your network on Google.
