Omar Navarro
The countdown to Week 1 is on.
With the season kicking off in a few days, NFL analysts and publications have launched their energy rankings main as much as the primary sport. Take a take a look at the place the Bolts are ranked heading into the 2022 season:
No. 9: Dan Hanzus – NFL.com
Will Justin Herbert win MVP? In two seasons, Herbert has shortly established himself as one of the crucial thrilling and productive quarterbacks in professional soccer. Now, with a powerful supporting solid on either side of the ball, this feels just like the time the place Herbert rampages via a season and enters the dialog as the very best participant within the sport… But Herbert is flat-out particular, and he has the potential to be the difference-maker in a loaded AFC West.
No. 6: NFL Staff – Bleacher Report
Among groups that did not make the postseason final 12 months, none are ranked increased in these energy rankings than the Los Angeles Chargers.
On some degree, it isn’t onerous to see why. In Justin Herbert, the Chargers have one of many NFL’s finest younger quarterbacks. As Chargers quarterbacks coach Shane Day instructed Steven Ruiz of the Ringer, Herbert is barely simply scratching the floor of what he can do on the NFL degree… In huge receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Herbert has one of many higher one-two punches within the league at his disposal. Austin Ekeler is a do-it-all operating again who scored 20 whole touchdowns in 2021. After including edge-rusher Khalil Mack and cornerback J.C. Jackson, expectations are excessive for the Chargers protection this season.
No. 5: Bo Wulf – The Athletic
Justin Herbert virtually ensures a top-five offense, whereas his rookie contract allowed the crew to spend large on protection to enhance the No. 26 unit by DVOA. Meanwhile, Brandon Staley’s dedication to correct in-game decision-making ought to repay over the long term. If you are a fan of course of, the Chargers are for you.
No. 5: Sam Monson – Pro Football Focus
Few groups had been as aggressive this offseason because the Chargers, who appear decided to capitalize on the expertise they’ve at quarterback in Justin Herbert. Far from regressing, Herbert’s second season constructed on his stellar rookie marketing campaign, so the Chargers spent a ton of cash to encompass him with expertise. Adding a participant resembling Khalil Mack ought to enhance every thing up entrance, and J.C. Jackson provides to a secondary that has plenty of ball expertise as a unit. Drafting Zion Johnson ought to make sure that the road in entrance of Herbert stays stable.
No. 6: Austin Gayle – The Ringer
There’s one thing comforting in regards to the Chargers resuming their rightful place as probably the most hyped crew in August. But in contrast to in previous years, these Chargers look able to again it up. Star quarterback Justin Herbert is the favourite to guide the NFL in passing yards (+500) and all however cemented as a top-five participant at his place. With a bunch of recent defensive additions to assist repair final 12 months’s greatest weak point, there are not any excuses for second-year head coach Brandon Staley and Co. They’ve spent as a lot as they will on the lottery ticket that’s an elite quarterback on a rookie contract in Herbert. It’s time to money in.
No. 4: Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News
The Chargers deserve all of the preseason hype they’re getting. Justin Herbert nonetheless hasn’t hit his ceiling after two stellar seasons and between the road and weapons, he is loaded to push his sport increased. The protection simply wants to remain wholesome to be destructively daunting with Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, J.C. Jackson and Derwin James.
No. 9: Pete Prisco – CBS Sports
Getting Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson in free company will make this protection so a lot better. The offense with Justin Herbert will once more be dynamic…
No. 7: Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports
The Chargers have been looking for a backup for operating again Austin Ekeler. Maybe free-agent addition Sony Michel, minimize by the Dolphins on the finish of the preseason, would be the reply. Michel had some good moments with the Rams final season.
No. 8: Lindsey Thiry – ESPN.com
The season can be a hit if … the Chargers advance to the AFC Championship Game.
That’s a lofty expectation for a crew that did not advance to the playoffs final season and has appeared within the postseason solely twice since 2013. However, Herbert helped produce one of many NFL’s high offenses in 2021, and after important shortcomings on protection, the Bolts invested important sources on that facet of the ball. They traded for All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack and signed Jackson — the NFL’s interceptions chief (25) since 2018 — together with defensive linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson and Morgan Fox in free company.
No. 15: Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk
No. 6: MMQB Staff – Sports Illustrated
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