Question of the Day, Chargers WRs

Photo: Orlando Jorge Ramirez, USA Today Sports

In August, we will ask our staff a single question on a variety of topics ranging from a huge news event to a tough fantasy decision or player evaluation.

See the landing for more pages just like this here.

If you like this format, come back for another Question of the Day. Today, we look at the Chargers' wide receiver corps to see who is undervalued and overvalued.

Here's the question we asked our staff.

With the addition of Quentin Johnston, the Chargers now have a trio of highly-rated receivers. In an average 12-team league, Keenan Allen is an early third-round pick, Mike Williams is a late fifth-round pick, and the rookie Johnston is a ninth-rounder.

Who (if any) of them is undervalued? Who is overvalued?

And here's the quick answer:

• Undervalued (with number of votes)
  • Keenan Allen - 3
  • Mike Williams - 4
  • Quentin Johnston - 3
    
    
• Overvalued (with number of votes)
  • Keenan Allen - 2
  • Mike Williams - 3
  • Quentin Johnston - 4

Unfortunately, we don't have any consensus here.

Here are the full answers. Maybe someone will persuade you with their argument for (or against) these receivers.

Jason Wood: I'm going to give a boring answer and say they're all going around the right draft spots. I expect the arrival of Kellen Moore to vault the Chargers' offense into the Top 5, and Justin Herbert will play at an MVP level. If I'm correct, there will be enough targets to justify all three players. Allen is by far the more talented of the two veteran starters, and while he's not the most durable, neither is Mike Williams. I see Quentin Johnston as Williams' replacement in 2024 and beyond, but this year I wouldn't be surprised if Johnston ended up behind Allen, Williams, Ekeler, and Palmer in targets.

Kevin Coleman: This is a pure value pick, but Quentin Johnston feels like the most undervalued receiver in this offense. Keenan Allen’s ADP feels correct, but I question whether Allen or Mike Williams will stay healthy this season. Allen missed seven games last season with a lingering hamstring injury, while Williams has suffered from various injuries throughout his career, including a nagging back injury. Johnston has been getting reps at every receiver position on offense in camp, and the coaching staff has highlighted his versatility. They have also raved about his football I.Q., which will only help the rookie receiver get on the field early. This offense could easily lead the league in passing attempts and total offensive plays in 2023, and given the injury history of the players ahead of him, Johnston could easily slot in as WR2 in this offense early in the season.

Phil Alexander: Keenan Allen is properly valued, Mike Williams is undervalued, and Quentin Johnston is overvalued. The arrow on LA's entire offense is pointing up with Kellen Moore taking over play-calling duties and Justin Herbert fully healthy after playing through nagging ribs and shoulder injuries in 2022. Allen is a fine pick at his ADP, though it is fair to question his upside at age 31 and with an accumulation of lower-body injuries. Williams should gain the most from Moore's scheming and Herbert's renewed health. The Chargers will push the ball down the field more this season, which plays to Williams' strengths. He's got a higher ceiling than other wide receivers in his ADP range, most of whom play in questionable offenses (think Terry McLaurin, DJ Moore, and DeAndre Hopkins). I'm not drafting Johnston at all. He has too much to prove as a receiver in every area outside of overt athleticism.

Jordan McNamara: Keenan Allen is the best bet. He was a top 12 scorer in points per game, is Justin Herbert's preferred red zone option, and has averaged at least 8.5 targets per game in each of the past six seasons. Mike Williams is fine as an innings eater in the range where he is being selected but is not a major difference-maker. In the event of an injury, Quentin Johnston could be a difference-maker this season. He would be an attractive option if he were the fourth of the first-round wide receivers selected in a draft behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison, and Zay Flowers.