The 2024 Los Angeles Chargers enter the season a completely different product than 2023. With a new coach, the departure of long-time veterans, and many questions surrounding the wide receiver position, Joshua Palmer enters the season with the opportunity to become the WR1 for Justin Hebert. Can Palmer help replace the product that has departed Los Angeles? Let’s break down Joshua Palmer’s fantasy football outlook in 2024.
Joshua Palmer’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 Season
The potential for upside in Palmer’s fantasy outlook swirls around the fact that the Chargers are facing a plethora of departures from their offensive system. The Chargers parted ways with Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Gerald Everett, and Austin Ekeler. With all these vacated targets floating in the atmosphere, Palmer can see an opportunity to become a hyper-targeted WR1 for Herbert this season.
According to TruMedia, Palmer was 14th among wide receivers in yards per reception with 15.3. Palmer also produced the 32nd-best air yards per target (11.36) in the NFL last season. These stats show that Palmer is not the dink-and-dunk receiver that new rookie Ladd McConkey will become.
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Instead, Palmer is the man who will help move the chains and continue offensive drives for the Chargers. With last year’s team leader in receiving first downs Allen leaving for the Windy City, Palmer, who produced the second-highest total, will have his role expand within that area of the offense.
In the seven games Palmer played without Williams in 2023, he recorded 20 first downs, 498 receiving yards, and 30 receptions on 48 targets. Palmer also produced 5.9 yards after the catch per reception during this time. He did not shrink to the opportunity presented before him in 2023.
Is Palmer a Good Fantasy Pick?
Palmer will not falter under this expanded opportunity in 2024. His biggest issue will be a change in offensive philosophy. This offense is looking to become run-first, but his average draft position (ADP) is No. 133, which warrants a dart throw for someone who can elevate his game to become Herbert’s No. 1 option.
Even with a team becoming run-first in the NFL, they will need to pass to survive and keep pace. The Chargers will use Herbert’s talent effectively by forcing him to make 20 or fewer passing attempts per game.
Palmer also provides an early bye week as the Chargers enjoy a break during Week 5. This early bye allows the team to gel within the new offense and finish the season strong with a better understanding of the philosophy they are learning this offseason.
With big-play ability attached to an open opportunity, Palmer should beat out his cohorts in the wide receiver room. Palmer is the only veteran attached to Herbert and will become the safety blanket when Herbert needs a completion. Feel comfortable drafting Palmer knowing you are following the correct draft strategy of chasing upside in the later rounds.