12 Chargers Who Won't Return Next Season

4. Stone Smartt

The Los Angeles Chargers are getting really thin at tight end this offseason, with Gerald Everett and Nick Vannett hitting free agency. But that doesn't make it any more appealing to keep Stone Smartt in L.A.

First of all, I think Everett comes back. The tight end class in free agency is set to be very thin, and even if the Chargers draft one they'll need a veteran starter like Everett.

Second, Smartt doesn't actually help with being thin at the position. He's not good enough to see any consistent playing time.

In fact, PFF graded Smartt out as one of the Chargers' worst players across any position in 2023. His 44.1 overall grade was the worst among any tight end in the NFL who saw 10+ targets last year, and sixth-worst and the 117 tight ends who played a single snap.

It's cool that the 2022 undrafted free agent did enough to see significant playing time in his second pro season, but it quickly became clear why he was undrafted. Smartt just doesn't seem to be an NFL-caliber player, and at best he may end up on someone's practice squad.