The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

The Chargers took a step forward in 2022. After narrowly missing the playoffs in 2021, the team won 10 games and qualified for the playoffs in 2022. In that game, the Chargers built a huge first half lead only to see it slip away against the Jaguars. The question in 2023 is whether they can go a step further and become a contender.

Off-Season Changes

The biggest change for the Chargers might be the addition of Kellen Moore as Offensive Coordinator. He comes over from Dallas and is being tasked with opening up the potential of young quarterback Justin Herbert, who signed a long-term extension. Naturally, the team added some weapons, namely receiver Quentin Johnson. Johnson caught 60 passes for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns at TCU last season.

The Chargers also made some changes on defense. Veterans Kyle Van Noy and Bryce Callahan are no longer with the team. But the Chargers added defensive tackle Nick Williams, who played with the Giants, and linebacker Eric Kendricks, who was with the Vikings.

Fantasy Impact

There’s little question about the leader of the Chargers at quarterback. Herbert finished as QB11 last season and figures to be a solid bet as a QB1 again in 2023. He’s paired with a great backfield weapon in Austin Ekeler, who finished as RB1 in 2022. Ekeler rushed for 915 yards and 13 touchdowns, catching 107 passes. He’s PPR gold and should be an RB1 again. Behind him is Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller, though neither particularly inspires confidence even if Ekeler missed time.

The receiving corps is interesting, too. The Chargers return veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, both of whom struggled with injuries in 2022. Allen finished as WR42 and Williams finished as WR32. In addition, the Chargers have Josh Palmer, who was WR37 in 2022 and the rookie Johnson. That’s a potential embarrassment of riches. Johnson feels like a good long-term investment, but I like Allen in potentially his final season with the Chargers. I think he can be a WR2, while Williams and Palmer are in the flex range. Palmer, who caught 72 passes for 769 yards last season, might be one of the best values. He’s going as WR97 currently, and I think he’ll outperform that.

At tight end, Gerald Everett is a great under-the-radar player. He caught 58 passes for 555 yards and four touchdowns a year ago, good enough to finish as TE13. I like him as a later round tight end option.

Prediction

The Chargers made it to the playoffs in 2022 and I see no reason they won’t be in the same range in 2023. I think this team can win 10 or 11 games and make it to the post-season again.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.