Is The WR Corps Better in 2024?

[sonorajim]

I mean, was the WR room that great last year?

MW and Palmer hurt. QJ a non-factor. KA basically a one man show.

I'll go out on a limb and say...lots of ifs (if QJ bounces back, if Ladd has a good rookie year, if DJ Chark can be a productive deep threat), then YES, the WR room will be better and much more rounded than last year.

LOL! I thought they were great at this time last year. I was wrong.

Injuries, OL problems, no run game, OC play calls were a dumpster fire aside from Keenan. Q got better late in the season.

I believe recent seasons have left us unprepared for what we'll see this year. A complete team effort makes a difference.

[Velo]

You do seem impressed by catch rate numbers. It is a low risk signing. Established speed, route running are there on tape so yes, we'll see how he does with Herbert.

Catch rate is a very important metric for a WR. To be an elite QB in this league you have to have a completion rate of 65 percent or better. That means your top of the depth chart pass catchers have to have catch rates of at least 60 percent or better. If they can't achieve that, they are bottom of the depth chart players, like Guyton was. Chark's career catch rate of 55.4 percent is not good. Again, Josh Palmer's is 66.9 percent.

[dmac_bolt]

Why don't you check it and report back?

We all did check it back when he was first signed. It was worse than Q.

[Boltnut]

IMO, Chark is good competition for QJ... good depth for the team.
His drop rate was 12.5% for 2023... compared to QJ's 5% drop rate.

I'm an optimist... so I choose to see his 87.5% catch rate (catchable passes).
I also choose to see his speed... and play-action possibilities within this system.

If he improves his drop rate to 10%... creates explosive plays, backs the secondary off, and creates better run conditions for our team... I'm good. I'm looking beyond mere stats. I'm looking at overall impact on the offense (both run/pass). I'm looking at depth @the WR position. I'm liking the signing. QJ/Chark @the X. Palmer/McConkey/DD @the Z. Hayden Hurst @the Y. Hayden Hurst is my sleeper.

I'm definitely not comparing last year's receiving group to this year's receiving group... it's a completely different offensive philosophy. I think the WR personnel fits this year's philosophy very well.

[Formula 21]

Interesting discussion of our wide receivers. Which leaves me with the following thoughts.

https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/fantasy/football/rotoworld-football-show/los-angeles-chargers-quentin-johnston-worth-hype-with-jim-harbaugh-in-2024

is QJ another Breshad Perryman? A guy with speed and erratic hands who hangs around on promise forever. I gotta say maybe until proven otherwise.

Do we have a true #1 WR? No, but not every team has one so it’s not a big deal.

Do we have a true #2 WR? Well, we do have candidates. And having only candidates is a problem.

So maybe we just have WR by committee.

I'll miss Slayer, but long term it’s for the best.

[Pat_Swindle]

Interesting discussion of our wide receivers. Which leaves me with the following thoughts.

https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/fantasy/football/rotoworld-football-show/los-angeles-chargers-quentin-johnston-worth-hype-with-jim-harbaugh-in-2024

is QJ another Breshad Perryman? A guy with speed and erratic hands who hangs around on promise forever. I gotta say maybe until proven otherwise.

Do we have a true #1 WR? No, but not every team has one so it’s not a big deal.

Do we have a true #2 WR? Well, we do have candidates. And having only candidates is a problem.

So maybe we just have WR by committee.

I'll miss Slayer, but long term it’s for the best.

It's going to be like Green Bay last season. A bunch of young WRs and TEs putting in a solid effort. Jordan Love's overall numbers were very good overall, so I can't scoff at this approach.

[sonorajim]

Interesting discussion of our wide receivers. Which leaves me with the following thoughts.

https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/fantasy/football/rotoworld-football-show/los-angeles-chargers-quentin-johnston-worth-hype-with-jim-harbaugh-in-2024

is QJ another Breshad Perryman? A guy with speed and erratic hands who hangs around on promise forever. I gotta say maybe until proven otherwise.

Do we have a true #1 WR? No, but not every team has one so it’s not a big deal.

Do we have a true #2 WR? Well, we do have candidates. And having only candidates is a problem.

So maybe we just have WR by committee.

I'll miss Slayer, but long term it’s for the best.

Now you're talking! Make 'em cover everybody.

Personally I see Palmer as a clear #1 in game 1 by virtue of experience with Herbert.

We will spread the ball around. Side to side, LOS to end zone. It'll take everybody WRs, TEs, RB/ FBs.

If someone emerges as a favorite, OK with me.

[Formula 21]

Makes sense. I do think this WR corps is going to be better than is the general consensus around the league.

Concensus is consensus for a reason.

[sonorajim]

Concensus is consensus for a reason.

Widespread ignorance usually.

[Formula 21]

Now you're talking! Make 'em cover everybody.

Personally I see Palmer as a clear #1 in game 1 by virtue of experience with Herbert.

We will spread the ball around. Side to side, LOS to end zone. It'll take everybody WRs, TEs, RB/ FBs.

If someone emerges as a favorite, OK with me.

Just because he is our #1 WR (and he is] doesn’t make him a true #1 WR (which he isn’t). I don’t thinks DCs look at him and game plan to take him out of the game.

[sonorajim]

Just because he is our #1 WR (and he is] doesn’t make him a true #1 WR (which he isn’t). I don’t thinks DCs look at him and game plan to take him out of the game.

Make 'em pay. Palmer is pretty reliable.

Regards a widely acclaimed #1, no. He is not. Not our problem either.

IMO it's a media problem, not a team problem and will work itself out.

[Boltjolt]

Catch rate is a very important metric for a WR. To be an elite QB in this league you have to have a completion rate of 65 percent or better. That means your top of the depth chart pass catchers have to have catch rates of at least 60 percent or better. If they can't achieve that, they are bottom of the depth chart players, like Guyton was. Chark's career catch rate of 55.4 percent is not good. Again, Josh Palmer's is 66.9 percent.

I don't necessarily agree. I don't think a WRs catch rate is a be all statistic. If they have a lower 50s catch rate and have a lot of drops that's one thing and Chark has had drop issues.
QBs that aren't as good of passers contribute to those catch rates as well.

If a WR runs deeper routes, more than likely their catch rate won't be as high. Mike Williams catch rate wasn't great with Rivers but he was getting mostly jump balls. It was a little better when he was switched to the different role with Lombardi.

RBs will always have a 85% and up catch rate which helps QBs with their pass completion % and Herbert checked down a huge amount in Lombos system.

I'm not totally disagreeing with you. There are factors and I just don't think it's that cut and dried the way you put it.