Chargers' key position outlook is so poor it lands dead last in the NFL

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Los Angeles Chargers fans still very frustrated with the team’s outlook at the tight end position are more than justified for those feelings.
Tight end was such an obvious weak point of the roster this offseason that the Chargers signing a notable free agent and then still drafting the position as early as the first round was a pretty reasonable suggestion.
Instead, Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers did that at running back with Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton.
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That leaves Will Dissly and free agent Tyler Conklin as the most notable names on the depth chart. It’s Dissly who charts on the top 32 for John Kosko of Pro Football Focus…all the way down at No. 32:
“Dissly’s receiving profile is nothing to get excited about, but he is one of the best run blockers in the NFL at the position. His 72.3 PFF run blocking grade across the past two seasons ranks fourth among tight ends, helping him earn the 14th-best PFF overall grade. He did enjoy a career year as a receiver in 2024, catching a career-high 52 passes and 497 yards in his first season with the Chargers.”
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Chargers coaches might hope that Conklin can come in and enjoy a breakout of sorts as a weapon for Justin Herbert. But after that didn’t happen for Dissly, it’s hard to get enthused when looking at Conklin’s career to this point.
Rookie Oronde Gadsden is an understandable point of hype for Chargers fans, but it might be too early for them to lob big expectations at him.
That leaves the position in turmoil still, with Dissly just able to crack last place on a leaguewide ranking right now.

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Chris Roling has covered the NFL since 2010 with stints at Bleacher Report, USA TODAY Sports Media Group and others. Raised a Bengals fan in the '90s, the Andy Dalton era was smooth sailing by comparison. He graduated from the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and remains in Athens.
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