The San Diego Chargers signed former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem to a four-year deal worth $25.9 million last year. Meachem had knee surgery after the 2011 NFL season and struggled in 2012 posting career lows with 207 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions in 15 games.
According to Tom Krasovic of utsandiego.com, “Robert Meachem is another receiver to watch. If he has a strong preseason, the Chargers may want to see if there’s a market for him.”
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It could be difficult for San Diego to trade Meachem because he is guaranteed $5 million this season and has three years left on his deal for about $22 million. Meachem’s playing time declined when San Diego added former St. Louis Rams’ WR Danario Alexander who led the team in receiving yards per game and TD receptions.
Malcom Floyd led San Diego in receiving yards and ranked third in TD receptions so San Diego’s top options at WR will more than likely be Alexander and Floyd. San Diego added former California Golden Bears WR Keenan Allen in round three of this year’s draft who could be another person Meachem battles for playing time.
There was also talk that Vincent Brown could be one of San Diego’s starters at WR last year before he broke his ankle and missed the entire 2012 season.
Meachem missed three games in five NFL seasons compared to Alexander and Floyd who are injury prone while Brown has one season of experience and Allen has yet to play in the league. These could also be reasons why Meachem is unlikely to be traded this season along with his contract situation.
The Chargers need Meachem to make more of an impact this season because his salary cap hit ranks third on the roster. Meachem was one of the reasons why San Diego ranked 22nd in receiving yards and 30th in yards per reception last year, which has to improve if San Diego is going to succeed in 2013.