Keenan Allen
San Diego Chargers:  5 Options To Replace Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen

San Diego Chargers: 5 Options To Replace Keenan Allen

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) scores a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

There is no way the San Diego Chargers will be able to replace Keenan Allen. Still, with him facing a lost season, they have to find help at wide receiver.

No doubt the air went out of many Bolt fans when they saw the star target go down without contact. Initial belief is a torn ACL, which means he’s done for the season. That is a body blow that would stagger any team, but especially the Chargers who already lost Stevie Johnson as well. Philip Rivers is fast running out of viable targets. Even with an improving ground attack their hopes for making headway in the AFC West are already fading.

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Something must be done to at least bolster the depth at that position. Here are some options for them to consider from both the free agent and trade markets.

FREE AGENTS

Roddy White

It’s the biggest name drop on the list for sure. At one point in time Roddy White was one of the best receivers in the NFL. Those days are over. He’s 34-years old and has been a free agent since the Atlanta Falcons released him months ago. It’s hard to know how much he has left in the tank, if anything. Still, he’s a savvy veteran who can at least provide some stability. With a little luck that San Diego sun might extra a little extra juice from those legs.

Rueben Randle

It’s puzzling why this man doesn’t have a job. Nobody is saying Rueben Randle is a world beater but he at least proved he could be reasonably productive as a #2 or #3 target. He had 797 yards and eight touchdowns in 2015 and finished just shy of 1,000 yards in 2014. At 25-years old he’s just getting into his physical prime and presents a good sized target at 6’2″. It would be hard to convince anybody that Rivers wouldn’t be able to do something with that.

Brian Hartline

Sort of a Little Engine That Could type. Brian Hartline never looked like a good NFL receiver at first glance but get him on the field and he just seemed to make plays. A true possession option who was very good at making the tough catches for important gains. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2012 and 2013 and is still just 29-years old. A one-year experiment in Cleveland didn’t go as planned but the odds say he could help the team.

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis (83) catches a hail mary pass for a touchdown against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) and free safety Rashad Johnson (26) during the fourth quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

TRADES

Jarius Wright

With the arrivals of Laquon Treadwell and Stefon Diggs the past couple years, the Minnesota Vikings have grown quite deep at the receiver position. To a point where Jarius Wright can’t even see the field anymore. This despite being a solid complimentary receiver in 2014 and 2015. Since the Vikings have no plans to use him and his exit would give them some salary cap space, they might consider offering his contract up cheap for a trade.

Jeff Janis

The Green Bay Packers carried seven wide receivers into the regular season. That’s how much they value the position. Still with the return of Jordy Nelson they can’t possibly expect to use everybody. One name that got pushed down the depth chart is Jeff Janis. A former late round pick, he was their kick returner in 2015 and averaged 29 yards per return. He also caught two passes for 79 yards against the Chargers that year in the regular season. His explosion in the playoffs for 145 yards in Arizona proves the 6’3″ kid has talent worth exploring.

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