Los Angeles Chargers: Players that will fall short of expectations in 2019

The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL but that does not make them invincible from disappointment.

Even amidst a Melvin Gordon holdout that could hurt the team at the running back position, the Los Angeles Chargers have one of the best rosters in all of the National Football League.

After sharing the best record in the AFC a year ago, this Chargers team looks to respond from a heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round. This is a team that is talented and hungry, with one of the best narratives being Philip Rivers‘ pursuit of a Super Bowl ring.

We are sure to see plenty of fireworks this season just as we did last season and there are going to be some great individual performances.

However, there is likely going to be some disappointing individual performances as well. Here are three players that will fall short of their expectations in 2019.

1. Travis Benjamin

Travis Benjamin had two of the most important catches of the entire season against the Kansas City Chiefs last season.

Trailing by seven points in a two-minute offense, Benjamin caught a huge second and 20 dart over the middle from Philip Rivers and held on despite getting blown up for the first down, which kickstarted what would be the game-winning drive.

A few plays later, Benjamin made a great catch on a fourth and eight ball from Philip Rivers that was perfectly timed and located. Rivers tossed it up hoping Benjamin would turn around in time and that he did for the first down.

That helped the Chargers win the game and gave the team a shot to win the AFC West, although it didn’t happen. After that, fans are likely expecting Benjamin to have a great season as he replaces Tyrell Williams in the team’s starting receiving corps.

However, Benjamin will still be the fourth passing option as the team has Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and a healthy Hunter Henry at tight end. Benjamin will make big plays, but he won’t have a big year.

2. Adrian Phillips

This is a tricky one as Adrian Phillips is a very talented player and was an All-Pro last season on special teams. Re-signing Phillips was huge for the Los Angeles Chargers, however, he has had some inflated expectations after last season.

This is not to say that Phillips will have a bad year at all. In fact, there is a legitimate chance that he could once again be an All-Pro. So how does an All-Pro player have a disappointing season, you might ask?

That is because his All-Pro status was on the special teams and after getting that honor a lot of fans are going to expect him to play like an All-Pro defender. And while he is a plus defender, he is not one of the 11-best in the league and likely wouldn’t make the Pro Bowl as just a defensive player.

Phillips is great and his flexibility on defense makes him a valuable commodity. Just don’t mistake his special teams’ success for defensive success.

3. Jerry Tillery

This is another instance where a player can have a good season but still fall short of expectations. Being a first-rounder, Jerry Tillery does have some high expectations from Charger fans entering his rookie season.

Tillery was a shocking pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round but is one that is easy to buy into. Although he was inconsistent at Notre Dame, when he was on top of his game he was one of the best pass-rushing tackles in all of the nation.

Playing alongside Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, it is very easy to convince yourself that we will see more of the thriving Tillery and that he will have an insane rookie season.

Chances are that we are going to have some games where Tillery is a menace and some games where he falls short of expectations. That is the natural learning curve of being a rookie and expecting him to be phenomenal is not fair to him.

He will have some great performances, don’t get me wrong. But if you ask 100 fans what they expect out of him this season, chances are he will fall short of the common consensus.