Having released Mike Williams and traded away Keenan Allen, the Chargers have multiple starting spots open at the receiver position. The upcoming draft will provide opportunities (as early as the fifth overall pick) to add a notable prospect, but a free agent addition before then could also be an option. 
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Chargers have interest in Marquez Valdes-Scantling (h/t Alex Insdorf of Chargers Wire). The 29-year-old finds himself on the open market after he was released by the Chiefs in February. That move brought an end to his two-year tenure in Kansas City, but because of the financial benefits it yielded it was not a surprise.
Valdes-Scantling averaged just under 16 yards per catch during his time with the two-time defending champions. He thus remained a deep threat in the team’s receiving corps, and Fowler notes the Chargers are targeting a speed addition at the receiver spot. The former Packer posted a catch percentage of just 51.2% with Kansas City, though, and criticisms related to drops have continued throughout his career.
Still, Valdes-Scantling could offer an experienced complementary option in the short term as Los Angeles transitions to a less expensive WR room. 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston is in position to take on a larger workload this season, but he struggled with inconsistency as a rookie. Josh Palmer is also capable of taking on a starting workload, but he is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract.
As a result, many have labeled the Chargers as a team to watch with respect to a first-round receiver addition. Retaining the No. 5 selection would likely allow new general manager Joe Hortiz to choose from at least two of Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze. Hortiz has publicly stated, though, that he is willing to entertain trade offers for the team’s top pick.
Los Angeles has already been linked to Tyler Boyd, who like Valdes-Scantling finds himself on the market well into free agency. The former may not find a deal until after the draft, by which point his addition would not count toward the compensatory pick formula. That does not apply in the latter’s case since he was released, but he may also need to wait several more weeks to find a new home. Whether or not a deal is struck with the Chargers will remain an interesting storyline to follow.
If he makes anything more than the minimum it’s an overpay
Minimum catch ratio for a deep threat, about 55%. Ideal catch ratio for a deep threat 63%. Tyreek Hill’s catch ratio is 68%. DeShaun Jackson in his good seasons was catching 59% of balls at 21 yards/reception. Or 56% of balls at 18 yards/reception.
Valdes-Scantling will lose games for the Chargers just as he did for the Chiefs. He’s not a starter but the fourth guy to stretch the field in four receiver sets.
Just what Herbert needs, another ‘can’t catch WR to mirror “Q”. Yep that’d make a matched pair.
Pass on any Chiefs receiver.
HAND him the pen to sign the contract. Chances are 50-50 he’ll drop it if you toss it to him
Is there any chance Chargers don’t take Harrison Jr and he falls to the Giants?
Zero point zero
You kidding? Harbaugh is going O-line then DL/LB…..WR will be 3rd or 4th pick if us fans are lucky
I think that Harbaugh would like to, J.O., and I think that he’ll argue for it, but it’s all going to be hard to justify that after losing what the Chargers have in the receiving department. Otherwise, I’d expect the linemen to be a given.
I’ve no misery with a RT to replace Pipkins but not at 5. Trading down, inside 10-11, and getting some extra early picks, like MN 1sts, could get a tackle and maybe a decent WR or DL but I’d want another bonus of 2nd or 3rd to boot.
Though I’m not a GM and the one there now has no actual GM history so likely Hardi defines the way draft goes……wonder if John Spanos is still going to have player input?
At 5, you take the top tackle prospect, who is usually a sure-thing and wins your team games for a decade. Or if there are a lot of equally good tackles, you trade down and you don’t need a defensive end or Micah Parsons, you trade down. Don’t waste a top 5 pick on a receiver.
I haven’t seen a RT worth #5 and would you ask a college LT to move over to the other side…..the adjustment takes time and might just as well stick with Pip. OR…..would you require your pro bowl LT, Slater, move to the right side? Think not!
Trade down or grab the best player and look for RT in round 2,
I think that’s what I would do, J.O., if I were in charge. Granted, as you’ve said, neither of us are GMs, but it seems a good decision to me.