Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Chargers were counting on oft-injured wide receiver Danario Alexander to stay healthy and build off his breakout season. He couldn’t even make it through training camp without another major knee injury.
Now that Alexander is out for the season with a torn ACL, the Chargers will need someone to replace him on the outside. Fortunately, the Chargers have good depth at receiver with Malcom Floyd, Vincent Brown, Eddie Royal, Keenan Allen and Robert Meachem all in the mix for playing time.
Even with the depth the Chargers have at receiver, the team should at least explore the option of signing free agent Brandon Lloyd. The 32-year-old receiver is coming off a year in which he caught 74 passes for 911 yards and 4 touchdowns with the New England Patriots. He isn’t a dominant receiver, but he has good hands, solid route running ability, and good production over the last three seasons. Lloyd’s best statistical year came in 2010 with the Denver Broncos, when Mike McCoy was his offensive coordinator. Now with McCoy in San Diego, the two could reunite, and their familiarity would help Lloyd make a smooth transition.
With the start of the season less than one month away, Lloyd has to be getting a little desperate to join a team. That will only lower his asking price and help the cap-stricken Chargers in negotiations with him. If the price is right, the Chargers should definitely consider bringing Lloyd in.
Ultimately, the Bolts can probably get by with the receivers on the roster for now. However, any more injuries to the receiving core will really hurt the offense and will do no favors for Philip Rivers, who absolutely needs to have a good season. Except for Meachem, all the Chargers’ receivers come with some injury concerns and have all missed multiple games over the last few seasons due to various injuries.
Lloyd would be much more than just insurance for the Bolts, and with his talent and knowledge of McCoy’s system, he could come in and compete for a starting job on day one.
Kevin Chan is a San Diego Chargers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
