Chargers HC Brandon Staley talks state of tight end room

The Chargers will return all their tight ends from last season: Gerald Everett, Donald Parham, Tre’ McKitty and Stone Smartt.

Signed last offseason, Everett supplied the offense with a consistent piece in the passing game, finishing with career-highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (555).

However, there was not much to boast about outside of Everett.

Parham appeared in six games after dealing with a hamstring injury he sustained in training camp and a concussion. McKitty was drafted in 2021 to be an inline blocker, but he was underwhelming in that department and did not offer much value as a receiver.

With Parham’s injury concerns looming and the stagnant status of McKitty, Los Angeles would benefit from a complete player at the position to complement Everett in 2023 and take over as the No. 1 when Everett hits the free agency market after this upcoming season.

Furthermore, new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s scheme is heavily predicated on 12 personnel, which means two tight ends on the field. Therefore, they will be looking for a tight end proven as a receiver but can assist in the run game as a blocker.

“That position, when you can find it, it changes the way people have to play you,” Staley said. “Kellen’s had a lot of success playing that way. …Gaps and vertical threats is how you really stress defenses. So I think we have a good room right now. But we’re always looking to add.”

Luckily for Los Angeles, this year’s tight end group is loaded with talent.

If they want to address the position in Round 1, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid or Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer would make sense. Beyond that, Georgia’s Darnell Washington, Iowa’s Sam LaPorta, South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft and Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker are also ideal targets.