Los Angeles Chargers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson led the team in carries for the third straight preseason game. In the finale, Patterson carried the ball six times, gaining 27 yards. He added one catch on two targets for an additional 12 yards. Patterson is third at best on the Chargers depth chart behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, but his usage in the preseason shows that he may indeed be part of the team's plans on offense, at least as a depth piece.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis touched the ball once in the Chargers preseason finale, but he made it count. Davis took the ball up the sideline for a 70-yard touchdown run, breaking tackles and avoiding defenders along the way. It was an impressive run for the former fourth round pick, but he appears to be headed for a special teams role as a returner who may occasionally fill in on offense.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance struggled in a preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. Lance attempted 49 passes, completing 33 of them for 323 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. He added 11 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown, leading the team in both carries and rushing yards. It was a strong game on the ground for Lance, but the passing game wasn't clicking, as the Chargers defense was all over Lance for the five picks and also two fumbles. If Lance makes the team as the third quarterback, he'll be behind starter Dak Prescott and backup Cooper Rush.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie seventh-round wide receiver Brenden Rice has flashed with physicality in routes and catching in training camp and the preseason, enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster and compete for time at receiver, but he probably is the sixth receiver on the depth chart. Fellow seventh-round rookie Cornelius Johnson struggled with drops in camp and hasn't had the positive days that many of his draft peers have, making him a long shot to make the team. The 22-year-old Rice is the son of Jerry Rice. He had 1,402 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in his final two seasons at USC and could eventually become a nice red-zone weapon because of physicality. But for now, fantasy managers should only really consider him a long-term stash in dynasty/keeper formats.

Los Angeles Chargers second-round rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey missed time in training camp with an undisclosed injury but was back for the team's second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, where he caught one pass. McConkey has worked with the starting offense at slot receiver when the team is in three-receiver sets at practice and appears to be third on the receiver depth chart in LA behind DJ Chark and Joshua Palmer. The 22-year-old was the 34th overall pick in April and appears set to have a significant role in his first year in the NFL. McConkey excels as a route-runner and will need to gain plenty of chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert in what is expected to be a run-first offense in 2024. But with the departure of both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, McConkey will have a big opportunity and is worth a late-round flier for WR depth in fantasy drafts.