As he lingered available for awhile in the 2023 offseason, the idea DJ Chark could end up back with the Detroit Lions sort of surfaced. Not bringing him back proved to be a good decision, as he struggled last season with the Carolina Panthers and an overmatched rookie quarterback.
As the Lions faced the likelihood of losing Josh Reynolds in free agency this year, the idea of Chark returning to Detroit could've been made to make some sense. But if that was going to happen it probably already would have, and Chark remains available less than a week before the draft.
There hasn't been a lot of news of free agent visits for Chark, if any. That changed on Friday, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting Chark visited the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday.
Former #Panthers WR DJ Chark, one of the top FA receivers available, spent yesterday in the #Chargers building on a visit, source said. LAC may draft a WR high, but they still need starters. Chark is an option.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 19, 2024
Former Lion DJ Chark makes free agent visit to most wide-receiver needy team in the league
With the trade of Keenan Allen and the free agent departures of Mike Williams, Gerald Everett and Austin Ekeler, the Chargers lost four prominent pass catchers from last season this offseason. They have not signed a free agent wide receiver, only adding tight ends Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst to the pass catcher mix so far.
The Chargers are in prime position to take a wide receiver in the first round of the draft, whether they stay put at No. 5 overall or move down in a trade. But the depth chart is literally very thin right now, so a veteran addition feels certain.
Amid another disappointing season last year in Carolina, Chark did continue to show field-stretching ability (15 yards per catch). If he were to land with the Chargers, Justin Herbert's arm strength would be a nice match for what he does best. It only takes one, and in this case it may only take one (very late) free agent visit for Chark to find his next team.