Despite having a 4-7 record, the talent on the Chargers would not suggest that. Loaded on both sides of the ball, Los Angeles had a league-high eight players make the Pro Bowl last year. This year should see some of the same members, but there are a few that are worthy of their first nod.
These three players very well could end up playing in Orlando, FL for the first time with the NFL’s best because of their strong play this season.
TE Hunter Henry
Surprising enough, Henry has yet to make a Pro Bowl appearance since coming into the league in 2016. But injuries have hampered him throughout the course of it, thus holding him back from making it. But this year is different as Henry sustained an injury early in the season, and has played like he never missed a step.
Henry has caught 39 passes for 487 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 12.5 yards per reception and has caught 72.2% of his targets. He has either racked up 80+ yards or a touchdown in four of his six games back to the lineup. With five games remaining, there’s a good chance that we could see him with close to 55 receptions, 800 yards and two or three more scores.
RB Austin Ekeler
Not only did Ekeler step into the starting role when running back Melvin Gordon held out and show his worth, but he didn’t slow down when Gordon came back into the lineup. Weaving his way through defenders with his speed, vision and balance, it’s been hard to slow him down and the statistics show.
Currently Ekeler leads all running backs this season in receptions (65), receiving yards (667), receiving touchdowns (6). He has 11 broken tackles on pass plays and he’s currently averaging 9.5 yards after the catch, where he’s been at his best catching balls out of the backfield or as an additional wide receiver lined up outside.
FB Derek Watt
There hasn’t been any other player in the league that has made his impact felt on special teams like Watt has. The former Wisconsin product continues to show up on the screen, flying down the field and making thumping hits to limit return specialists to minimal gain.
Watt currently leads the league in special teams tackles with 13. But what’s mind-boggling is that he is on the Pro Bowl ballot only as a fullback, and not as a special teams player. Even his brother, J.J. feels like it’s complete blasphemy.
