Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams may be Super Bowl x-factor

2017 seventh overall pick Mike Williams missed most of his rookie season. In 2018, the Los Angeles Chargers receiver may be the Super Bowl x-factor.

The Los Angeles Chargers were without both the first and second-round picks from the 2017 NFL Draft and still clawed to a 9-7 record.

First-round pick, Mike Williams, battled injury. Although he appeared in 10 games, he started just one and was only targeted 23 times all season. The injuries held Williams back from being an actual contributor in his rookie season.

Second-round pick, Forrest Lamp, did not see any playing time in his rookie season. Lamp tore his ACL in practice before the season even began and missed all year as a result. He was one of the best offensive linemen in the 2017 NFL Draft and was considered a steal by many for the Chargers to land him in the early second.

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While Lamp will definitely play a role in a much-improved offensive line, it will be his first-round counterpart that may play a huge difference. If the Los Angeles Chargers are going to get past the best in the AFC, they need a healthy Mike Williams.

Having a healthy Williams will only turn the Chargers’ receiving corps from great to elite next season. Missing Hunter Henry all season is going to hurt the passing game and the Chargers need the rest of the pass catchers to step up big in his absence.

If Williams can step up and play as he should have last year, as the best receiver from that class, then the Chargers will have the most dangerous 1-2-3 punch in the NFL.

Out wide the Chargers will have Keenan Allen and Williams, two potential Pro Bowlers that both may be capable of flirting with 1000 receiving yards. In the slot will be Tyrell Williams, one of the game’s best deep threats; a big-play machine that is bound to come up with huge catches all season long.

Throw all of that in alongside a Hall of Fame quarterback and a stellar pass defense and the Chargers have a beautiful recipe for success. Even without Williams, the roots for success are there. With Williams, those roots will turn into actual results.

And let’s not forget Travis Benjamin, who will either be a very solid fourth option or could be used as trade bait to try to acquire a linebacker to help stop the running game. No matter what path the Chargers pursue with Benjamin it will be promising.

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Thus, if anything, Los Angeles Chargers fans should be rooting for news of a healthy Mike Williams in the preseason. He really may be the difference between a first-round playoff exit and a deep Super Bowl run.

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