Chargers News: Mike Williams Is a Nightmare For Man Coverage Defenses

LA's high flying WR among the best in this defensive coverage

The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the best offenses in the league. They have the quarterback, offensive line, running back, and offensive coordinator to be considered the best in the NFL. 

LA has all the tools on that side of the ball to get it done, especially their wide receiving core, which I think is the best of all their groups. 

The Bolts are loaded on that end with veteran WR Keenan Allen, rookie Quentin Johnston, and great depth with Joshua Palmer and Jalen Guyton. However, arguably their best wide receiver Mike Williams is by far their most explosive WR coming into the 2023 season. He's suffered injuries throughout his career, but when he's healthy, he's among the best in the league, especially against man coverage. 

Pro Football Focus (PFF) released their top wide receivers with the best grades against man coverage, and Willams is among the top five with a grade of 89.4. 

Williams dealt with some injuries last season, only appearing in 13 games for the Chargers. However, he is a nightmare for a defensive back to cover one-on-one, as the 6-foot-4, 218-pound receiver led all receivers with 10 contested catches when facing man coverage. His 10-of-16 contested catch opportunities just go to show that a cornerback can be in tight coverage, but it just will not be enough against a player of his size.

Williams has been a downfield weapon for quarterback

Justin Herbert

, with a 15.5-yard average depth of target. He also posted an exceptional 3.70 yards per route run, which ranked second among all qualified receivers. Williams had zero drops against man coverage and is an extremely reliable, big-bodied weapon for Herbert that coincides perfectly with a veteran receiver like

Keenan Allen

.

(via PFF)

Williams is a problem when he hits the gridiron. He has all the tools and has shown to be a Pro-Bowl-level talent in this league. He was chosen in the first round of the 2017 draft for a reason, and we see that in his play. 

The 28-year-old had a down year compared to his career year in 2021, but a lot had to do with his availability in 2022. The 6'4" stud will enter his seventh season in the league, and hopefully, he can stay on the field for most of the time; if he does, best believe his man coverage numbers will remain amongst the best in the league.