As the 2023 NFL Draft approaches, the Chargers find themselves with a variety of needs that are widely expected to be addressed in the draft. Here’s a brief look at the current state of the team, with an emphasis on their 2023 needs.

QB: The Chargers have one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks in QB Justin Herbert. This is not a major area of emphasis for the team. It’s likely that former #3 QB Easton Stick will be elevated to become Herbert’s backup, although that’s not currently relevant from a fantasy perspective.

RB: At running back, the Chargers are suffering from a lack of depth. Further, they have given RB Austin Ekeler permission to talk with other teams, so if Ekeler goes, they don’t have much. I suspect that Ekeler will play for the team for another year, but anything is possible. This should be an area of focus for the team in the upcoming draft.

WR: WR Mike Williams and WR Keenan Allen are solid, but both are oft injured and Allen is now 30, so expected to lose a step. While WR Josh Palmer has occasionally shined, this is expected to be another focus position for the Chargers.

TE: The team could also use some help at tight end. While TE Gerald Everett is a serviceable TE2, he is only under contract for 2023. TE: Tre’ McKitty has not shined, albeit his opportunities have been limited. While TE Donald Parham, Jr. has been resigned, he has been injury-prone and has not developed into the kind of playmaker that some felt he could become.

PK: Don’t expect the Chargers to draft a kicker, as there should be a competition between veteran PK Dustin Hopkins and PK Cameron Dicker. Dicker was excellent as a fill-in for the injured Hopkins last year, he’s a lot younger, and cheaper, which should be music to owner Dean Spanos’ ears. So I’d expect Dicker to kick for the team this season.

DEF: Areas of need and focus would include most defensive positions, but needs include a young edge rusher, a big bodied run stuffer and linebacker. My next report will be released post-draft to examine the Chargers 2023 draft selections.

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