Los Angeles Chargers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Los Angeles Chargers second-round rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, DJ Chark Jr. and Joshua Palmer were working with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. As of early in camp, it appears that last year's first-rounder, Quentin Johnston, is the team's No. 4 wideout. The 22-year-old McConkey has already developed notable chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason and could be one of his go-to targets now that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are on other teams in 2024. McConkey is an excellent route-runner and deserves attention as at least a late-round flier for receiving depth in PPR fantasy leagues this fall. It's still early in camp, but McConkey's development is worth keeping a close eye on.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since the team declined his fifth-year option in the spring. Harris said he wants to remain in Pittsburgh on a long-term basis but noted that it's "a business" and isn't fretting about the future. In three seasons with the Steelers, Harris has exceeded the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each year, but he's averaged 3.9 yards per attempt on 834 carries over his career. The 26-year-old is set to split carries with the more explosive Jaylen Warren in 2024, but new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is likely going to ride Harris in early-down spots and goal-line situations. Harris is shaping up as a solid RB2 bet in the middle rounds fantasy drafts as the starter in a run-centric offense with improved quarterback play.

Los Angeles Chargers running backs Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller are locked into a positional battle for the No. 3 running back spot behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins (Achilles). With Dobbins recovering from injury and Edwards no stranger to injury himself, this team's No. 3 running back is an important position. Spiller is the incumbent but also a product of the previous regime. Spiller has only rushed for a total of 137 yards on 2.5 YPC in two seasons in the NFL. Vidal was a sixth-round pick out of Troy in April's draft. With a solid size-to-speed ratio, Vidal is an exciting young prospect. If Dobbins and Edwards get and stay healthy through training camp, then it is more likely that this positional battle will come down to blocking acumen and special team play. Given that Vidal is the pick of the Harbaugh regime and Spiller has been so abysmal to start his career, Vidal may be able to separate himself. If he wins the job and Dobbins or Edwards gets injured, Vidal could be a sneaky fantasy add in a Chargers offense that projects to be run-heavy.

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday. This should not come as a shock considering Williams is still rehabbing from an ACL tear from last season. The organization is hopeful that Williams will be ready to play by Week 1. There is still plenty of time between now and the beginning of the football season. The missed reps are going to hurt considering Williams has joined a new team this offseason. Despite that, Williams should almost certainly be a viable option once he's cleared to play.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Brenden Rice posted career-highs in receptions (45), receiving yards (791), and receiving touchdowns (12) in 2023 while catching passes from USC's Caleb Williams, but he still fell to L.A. in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. According to Daniel Popper of the Athletic, Rice could be facing an uphill battle to make the opening 53-man roster. "The two rookie draft picks, Brenden Rice and Cornelius Johnson, did not show me much during the spring," Popper wrote. "They will both likely be fighting for roster spots." This is not uncommon for Day 3 selections, but many held out hope that the son of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice could exceed expectations. Popper projects Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, D.J. Chark, Quentin Johnston, and Derius Davis as locks to make the roster, and the team might only carry five wide receivers in the new-look Greg Roman-led offense.