Chargers Daily Links: Taylor, Ekeler, Allen combine for NFL’s 20th-best trio

One of the more original ways to rank players in the NFL has become putting players into “trios” or “triplets,” which consist of the team’s starting quarterback, running back, and their best wide receiver. It’s an easy way to take the top dogs from each squad and put them up against the rest. Jared Dubin of CBS Sports took to that exact task but didn’t just rank the trios, alone. He also put them into five tiers.

The Chargers’ trio of Tyrod Taylor, Austin Ekeler, and Keenan Allen did make it out of the bottom tier, but no higher. The Bolts trio of play-makers were ranked as the NFL’s 20th-best, just ahead of the cross-town Rams and one spot behind the Carolina Panthers group of Teddy Bridgewater, Christian McCaffrey, and D.J. Moore. Tier four includes 19-26, so the Chargers were ever-so close to being in the next tier, but they couldn’t get over the hump of having a new QB under center.

“Taylor is a floor-raiser at quarterback due to his rushing ability and historic aversion to turnovers, but he also doesn’t provide much of a ceiling,” Dubin says. “He won’t push the ball downfield all that often and, if history is any indication, won’t inspire enough of a pass-heavy offense to really reach a ceiling anyway.”

The ranking of No. 20 could very-well be much lower, but the resume of both Ekeler and Allen are incredibly strong on their own. Even with both likely to regress due to quarterback play, there is no denying the talent the Chargers have offensively.

“Ekeler worked fantastically alongside Philip Rivers as an outlet on swing routes and checkdowns, and he should be similarly effective working with Taylor. He may not see as much pass-game volume, but he now seems more like the clear lead back with Gordon no longer in town. Allen is at the very least the Vice President of the Always Open Club, and he’s now played three consecutive full seasons after some fluky early-career injury issues. He’s really, really good.”

Now to the links.

Chargers News:

Gavino Borquez discusses what the Chargers could have done differently this offseason (Chargers Wire)

The Chargers offense was ranked by Mark Schofield of The Touchdown Wire (Chargers Wire)

Alexander Insdorf analyzes the Chargers’ tight end group (Bolt Beat)

Jaylon Thompson talks Hunter Henry and his excitement for the 2020 season (247Sports)

Jason Reed highlights the best trade in franchise history with the New Orleans Saints (Bolt Beat)

NFL News:

Kristopher Knox lists every NFL team’s “to-do” list for the 2020 offseason (Bleacher Report)

Seth Walder predicts team records, Super Bowl chances, and division winners (ESPN)

Mike Reiss explains how the Patriots might lean on running backs in post-Brady era (ESPN)

Darin Gantt reports the Dolphins aren’t afraid to play Tua Tagovailoa this season (Pro Football Talk)

Former Falcons RB Devonta Freeman is set on playing football in 2020 (Pro Football Talk)