Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently named his best players over the age of 30 in the NFL. Out of his top 30, the Los Angeles Chargers had several contributors crack Benjamin’s list.
The Chargers have quite a talented roster as they prepare for the 2022 season with high expectations. It will be a year where anything less than a playoff berth is considered a failure. The Chargers will look to their veterans for key contributions. In particular, there will be plenty of eyes on Keenan Allen, Corey Linsley, and Khalil Mack. All three made the top 12 of Benjamin’s rankings, and there’s no doubt these rankings are justified.
What can the Los Angeles Chargers expect from former Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack?
One of the biggest acquisitions this NFL offseason was Khalil Mack coming to Los Angeles. The former fifth overall pick from 2014 was one of the most beloved players on the Raiders, so it’s no surprise his trade to the Chicago Bears is still a source of contention for fans. As for the Chargers, they’re getting the 31-year-old version that struggled mightily in 2021 to stay healthy. Naturally, his stats dipped last season, but Chargers fans can still expect one of the top defensive players in the league once the season gets underway.
As for Allen, the 2017 Comeback Player of the Year, he’ll look to keep things going after a notable 2021 campaign. With 1,138 receiving yards and helping to consistently drive the Chargers’ offense, Justin Herbert will continue to rely on No. 13 this season. Despite being 30 years old, there are no signs of him slowing down any time soon.
Speaking of Herbert, the signal-caller owes part of his 2021 success to Linsley. The Chargers’ center will look to build off an impressive 2021 season, a year that saw him earn a notable 84.9 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade. As one of the NFL’s most underrated offensive linemen, Linsley figures to be a key cog in determining how far the Chargers go in 2022.
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*Top Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports