Many Los Angeles Chargers fans may have batted an eye when the team signed former Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar. However, a reputable media source has listed Kolar as a potentially underrated signing for the team.
Kolar may have only played in 30 games throughout his career, but to some pundits with The Athletic, that does not mean he can’t contribute to the Chargers’ successes next season. His ability to block capably could be seen as a huge asset to the team, especially when it comes to protecting Justin Herbert. For many fans, that is the primary focus of the team’s quasi-rebuild.
Analysts See Kolar as an Underrated Fit
In terms of Kolar, having that extra body made perfect sense for The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen as he named Kolar one of the best free agency fits overall.
“The Chargers have second-year tight end Oronde Gadsden Jr., who showed a lot of promise as an explosive pass catcher, but Kolar gives them a strong point-of-attack blocker who will likely start in their 21 personnel packages (two backs, one tight end, two receivers). They’ll also have the ability to get into 12 personnel and create mismatches for Gadsden with play-action. Kolar was the final piece in the Chargers’ run game rebuild”, Nguyen wrote of the potential Kolar brings to the offense.
With Mike McDaniel at the helm, the offense for the Chargers could look a bit more multiple, especially when it comes to the run game. Being able to have a guy like Kolar to complement a second year player like Oronde Gadsden II could spell wonders for what that could bring out of Gadsden.
Run Blocking Could Unlock Chargers Ground Game
Add in the fact that the backfield just added a speedster in Keaton Mitchell and this team could use all the help they can get in springing big plays open. For Kolar, if he is able to get to the edge as a run blocker, can help players like Mitchell and presume starter at running back Omarion Hampton get loose.
According to PFF, Kolar ranked as one of the best run blocking tight ends in the entire league last season, with a 71.5 grade coming ninth overall. As a pass blocker, he still needs to improve, but his experience getting meaningful snaps in Baltimore could come into play as he develops in McDaniel’s system.
Also, without the pressure of playing behind both Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, Kolar could improve as a pass catcher as well and genuinely carve out a role as the TE2 behind Gadsden. Still, with roles starting to become more defined in the Chargers’ new-look offense, it won’t necessarily irk Mike McDaniel or Chargers fans if all Kolar ends up being is a solid run blocker.
This is a team that only finished 15th in rushing success rate last year as injuries piled up along the O-line and Gadsden emerged as more of a pass catching tight end than a blocker. Now that Kolar is in town, it takes the pressure of the second year man and now allows McDaniel new avenues to create big plays in LA.
The Athletic Lists New Chargers TE As Underrated Signing