Welcome to the fourth piece in our series breaking down the Los Angeles Chargers’ veteran free-agent class.
So far, we have assessed center Bradley Bozeman, cornerback Kristian Fulton and running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins.
Next up: the tight ends, Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst.
The Chargers signed Dissly to a three-year, $14 million deal in March. He is entering his age-28 season. He spent the first six years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks after being drafted in the fourth round in 2018.
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Hurst, who is entering his age-31 season, signed with the Chargers in March on a one-year veteran-minimum contract. This will be Hurst’s fifth team in seven seasons. He was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. He was limited to nine games last season with the Carolina Panthers after suffering a concussion in Week 10.
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Dissly and Hurst are the top two tight ends on the depth chart. Both players are slated to have major roles in the offense in 2024. Dissly will be the best run-blocking tight end the Chargers have rostered since 2020 when they had Hunter Henry and Virgil Green. Hurst brings more as a receiver and should be a factor in the passing game. Hurst is coming off a down year. He finished 2023 with 18 catches for 184 yards. But he has proven production as a receiver, most recently with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022, when he caught 52 passes.
I watched two games from last season for each player. For Dissly, I watched Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns and Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles. For Hurst, I watched Week 5 against the Detroit Lions and Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Will Dissly
Some observations from my notebook as I was watching Dissly’s film:
• Stout, physical run blocker who generates consistent push at the point of attack.
• Very consistent and refined with his blocking technique and body positioning.
• Size and strength to match up one-on-one with bigger edge rushers, both in the run game and in pass protection.
• Mostly plays from an in-line alignment; a true Y tight end.
• Effective chip blocker in pass protection.
• Has backfield flexibility.
• Can dominate smaller players as a run blocker, creates mismatches in the run game against linebackers and safeties.
• Can get vertical in the passing game when asked to do it.
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• Excellent timing as a run blocker, particularly when executing combination blocks.
The Chargers were an inconsistent rushing team over the past three seasons. And while there were many reasons behind the struggles, one through line was a lack of blocking from the tight end group. The tight ends too often lost at the point of attack and, as a result, many rushing plays were over before they could really even start.
Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman want to build a reliable running game. Dissly will play a massive part in bringing that vision to life.
This play from the Eagles game is a good example of Dissly’s timing and feel as a run blocker.
Dissly, circled in yellow, aligned to the outside of right tackle Abraham Lucas.
Quarterback Drew Lock took the under-center snap and handed off to running back Kenneth Walker III. As Lock was handing off, Dissly executed a double-team on Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox.
As Walker approached the line of scrimmage, Dissly had the awareness to see linebacker Nicholas Morrow trying to fill the hole.
Dissly peeled off the double-team and climbed to Morrow.
And Dissly shielded Morrow to create a lane for Walker.
Walker shot through the hole untouched.
Dissly will provide a skill set the Chargers have been missing at that position for several seasons.
Hayden Hurst
Some observations from my notebook as I was watching Hurst’s film:
• Fluid athlete.
• At his best when attacking vertically, has the speed to win matchups down the seam against linebackers.
• Will mix it up in the run game, capable of handling edge defenders one-on-one (had some really good reps against Aidan Hutchinson in the Lions game).
• Alignment flexibility, can line up in-line and also split detached from the formation in the slot and outside.
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• Athleticism also shows up in run blocking, really good as a blocker on the move.
• Gets downhill in yards-after-catch situations; physical finisher after the catch.
• Strong hands to snatch throws from outside his frame.
• Not a super deceptive route runner.
• Lack of production was tied to the general ineptitude of the Panthers offense — poor pass protection, uneven play from rookie quarterback Bryce Young; was open quite regularly but Young could not get him the ball, either because of pressure or bad field vision/decision-making.
This play from the Colts game is a good example of that last observation.
The Panthers set up in shotgun formation. Hurst, circled in yellow, was in the slot to the offense’s left side.
Young took the snap, and Hurst attacked the seam.
Young hit the bottom of his drop, and Hurst was accelerating past linebacker Segun Olubi.
Hurst separated as Young released the throw. He was open, splitting the two deep safeties.
Young threw off his back foot with pressure in his face, though, and the pass was intercepted.
This should have been completed for a chunk gain. It is a throw Justin Herbert certainly makes.
Hurst can impact the game as a receiver at all three levels of the field. He is also a functional blocker. But I think his biggest impact will come on plays and concepts like this one, where he can attack the seams vertically and stretch the field for Herbert.
(Top photo of Will Dissly: Ric Tapia / Getty Images; screenshots via NFL+)