Since coming into the NFL in 2013, Allen has missed 26 games, including 15 last year due to a torn ACL. That the Chargers took wideout Mike Williams with the seventh overall pick, despite Tyrell Williams' breakout, shows they're also concerned about Allen. When Allen plays he's usually productive in a high-volume possession capacity. Through eight games in 2015, before he lacerated a kidney, Allen was on pace for a whopping 142 catches for 1,577 yards. At 6-2, 211, Allen has good size and runs crisp routes. While his 4.71 40 time at the NFL Combine was run on a bad foot, Allen's never been much of a downfield threat -- only one catch for 40-plus yards in his four-year career, and he's averaged less than 11.0 YPC since his rookie season. The Chargers didn't use him much in the red zone, either, and that shouldn't change with bigger-bodied Tyrell Williams, Antonio Gates, Hunter Henry and rookie Mike Williams around. During the offseason, Allen declared himself "85 percent," before participating in a limited fashion at OTAs. However, he's healthy heading into training camp and the regular season, where he should reprise his role as the team's go-to possession receiver and top target of quarterback Philip Rivers. Allen just turned 25 this spring, so he's still squarely in the prime of his career should be make it all the way back.

The West Coast Julian Edelman was off to a monster start in the first half last year before suffering a lacerated kidney in the team's eighth game, costing him the rest of the season. Prorate Allen's seven full games over 16 and you would get 142 catches for 1,577 yards and seven touchdowns. While Allen once averaged 14.7 YPC and 10.1 YPT as a rookie, the Chargers used him more as a possession receiver last year (10.8 YPC, 8.1 YPT) with no catches of at least 40 yards. At 6-2, 211, Allen actually has more size than most possession receivers, but he's not especially fast - his 4.71 40 time at the Combine was abysmal, though he was hampered by a foot injury at the time. Allen was also not targeted often in the red zone - only seven from that area, and none from inside the 10-yard line. Allen was cleared for the team's offseason training program this spring, so the kidney injury should be behind him. While the Chargers brought in Travis Benjamin as a field-stretcher to replace the retired Malcom Floyd, Allen should still be the team's top option between the 20s, provided he stays in one piece -Allen also missed two games in 2014 with a broken collarbone and played through a shoulder injury his rookie year.

After a stellar rookie year, Allen was one of the bigger disappointments in the league last season before succumbing to a broken collarbone that cost him the final two games. Despite playing with quarterback Philip Rivers in the same system in which he thrived, Allen's per-play efficiency plummeted from 10.1 YPT (5th) in 2013 to 6.4 (38th among the league's 41 100-target WR) last year. As a result, he managed 263 fewer yards and four fewer touchdowns on 18 more targets. In Allen's defense, he played through rib, groin and quad injuries and showed up on the injury report in six of the 14 games for which he suited up. At 6-2, 211, Allen has decent size, is sure-handed and is a good deal faster than his injury-hampered 4.71 Combine time from 2013. Heading into 2015, Allen should again be the team's No. 1 target and figures to see more time in the slot with Eddie Royal gone. Moreover, 35-year-old Antonio Gates isn't likely to repeat last year's 12-TD, 8.4 YPT outburst, and Malcom Floyd, who turns 33 in September, probably won't play 16 games again. (Floyd has only managed 14 or more games three times in his 11-year career.) The Chargers did sign Stevie Johnson, and reserve tight end Ladarius Green should have a bigger role, but Allen's workload should be assured so long as he stays healthy.

Allen became only the fifth rookie receiver this millennium to crack 1,000 yards – and he did it in only 15 games. In fact, he got 1,016 of those yards from Week 4 on as he was hardly used early in the year. At 6-2, 211, Allen is not quite as imposing as the league’s top targets, and while he’s significantly faster than his injury-reduced 4.71 NFL Combine speed, he’s not a downfield burner. Nonetheless, he averaged 14.7 YPC (14th) and 10.1 YPT (5th). Moreover, he was tied for ninth in red-zone looks with 20, despite seeing significant work in only 13 games. Allen is also incredibly sure-handed, dropping only two passes all year. Though Malcom Floyd and slot man Eddie Royal are also in the mix, Allen is the team's clear-cut top wideout. With TE Antonio Gates getting old, and Ladarius Green showing promise, but not fully integrated into the offense, Allen enters 2014 as the clear No. 1 option in Mike McCoy’s and Philip Rivers’ potent passing offense.

Taken in the third round, Allen was at one time considered one of the top receivers the 2012 class until a PCL tear and injury-related 4.71 40 time sank his stock. At 6-2, 206, Allen has good size, and he's uncommonly quick for a bigger receiver. While he lacks top-end speed, he's almost certainly faster than his poor 40 time as he was an effective after-the-catch runner in college. When he was drafted, Allen landed in a good spot, as the Chargers had three injury prone receivers ahead of him in Danario Alexander, Malcom Floyd and Vincent Brown, and a quarterback that at one time was among the best in the league. Now that Alexander is out for the season, Allen's chances to make an impact as a rookie have increased.