Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson led the Chargers backfield in carries and yards in the first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Patterson carried the ball seven times for a total of 38 yards, including a long run of 16. The college star was an undrafted free agent in 2023 but did not see the field. He's buried on the Chargers depth chart, and while Preseason Week 1 isn't usually a good predictor, he could be someone the Chargers see as a special teams piece or a depth guy to keep around.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick didn't do too much in the opening preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Stick got the start in place of an injured Justin Herbert (foot) and completed just five of his 13 pass attempts for 31 yards and an interception. He took two sacks and added one rush for 12 yards. Stick is currently second on the Chargers depth chart, but he was arguably outplayed by both Max Duggan and Luis Perez in this one. What it boils down to though is: the Chargers are in trouble if Herbert misses any regular season games.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey (lower body) isn't fully healthy in training camp this summer, but his do-it-all prowess gives him significant upside in fantasy, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. McConkey has a little bit of Stefon Diggs to his game, as well as a little Zay Flowers. Fowler writes that McConkey is a sudden mover who can live up all over the field. If he can grasp the Chargers' offense quickly, he could take off in his rookie season. The 22-year-old from Georgia is missing out on valuable reps with quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) in training camp, though, and LA's offense is expected to be much more run-heavy in 2024. But skills-wise, McConkey has what it takes to succeed at the next level and is worth a late-round flier as a WR4/5 in fantasy drafts.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler describes the Los Angeles Chargers' feeling on quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) as concern but not panic. They of course want their $52 million-per-year QB getting live reps in their new offense, but the hope and expectation remains that he will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. Herbert will spend two weeks in a walking boot as he nurses plantar fascia, an the sense is that if he needs a bit more time in the boot, the Chargers will give it to him. Pain tolerance is usually an issue for this type of injury, but Herbert has shown a penchant for playing through pain. The bottom line, though, for fantasy managers is that Herbert is losing valuable reps in the run-heavy, play-action work that will be fairly new to him under offensive coordinator Greg Roman's system. Without his best playmakers from seasons past and now with an injury heading into the regular season, Herbert has slipped to QB2 territory in fantasy.

The Los Angeles Chargers have "major plans" for wide receiver Quentin Johnston this season, and offensive coordinator Greg Roman intends to manufacture opportunities for the second-year player, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Specifically, the Chargers want to give him more opportunities to produce after the catch, which is an area where he's excelled in the past. Los Angeles really liked what it saw in Johnston coming out of TCU and is ready to help him elevate his game despite a frustrating rookie campaign in which he caught just 56.7 percent of his targets and also logged three drops. Given that Johnston could start alongside Josh Palmer in the Los Angeles offense, he's an intriguing investment at his current Yahoo ADP of 182.