Donald Parham

Parham is the top returning tight end for the Chargers, but he projects to work behind offseason additions Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst after looking up at Gerald Everett on the depth chart in 2023. The 6-foot-8 Parham was a red-zone weapon for Justin Herbert last season, as his seven targets inside the 10-yard line matched Everett’s total. Parham parlayed those opportunities into a career-high four touchdowns, and he also set career highs in targets (41), catches (27) and receiving yards (285). While Parham’s unlikely to see a significant influx of total targets, he’ll likely remain a factor near the goal line and could help fill the void created by the offseason departures of Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Everett.

Parham was expected to be a major part of Los Angeles' offense in 2022, but separate hamstring injuries held the 6-8 target to six games. In the limited time the 25-year-old was available, Parham was a weapon on deeper passes, especially off play action. Gerald Everett is still around as the team's starting tight end, but if healthy Parham should handle the No. 2 role and potentially provide red-zone utility, with Tre' McKitty also in the mix at the position.

Parham has quietly emerged as a capable No. 2 tight end, as the former XFLer is coming off his second consecutive season with three receiving touchdowns. The 6-8 behemoth is still developing as a blocker, but he's certainly gained Justin Herbert's trust in the red zone and the Chargers' coaching staff also seems to be happy to give him opportunities considering Parham nearly doubled his offensive snaps from his rookie campaign despite playing in just one more game. The team signed Gerald Everett from the Seahawks to operate as the primary starting tight end, but Parham remains ahead of 2021 third-round pick Tre' McKitty on the depth chart.

At 6-8, 237 pounds, Parham is a massive tight end. The former XFLer surprisingly earned one of the final spots on the Chargers' active roster to end training camp last season and played in 13 games. The 23-year-old showed some promise over the final two games of the 2020 campaign, filling in for the injured Hunter Henry, recording five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown despite limited targets. Henry's now gone, but the team opted to sign veteran Jared Cook in his stead, meaning Parham will once again be forced to claw for additional opportunities as a run-blocking option, this time while facing competition from 2021 third-round pick Tre' McKitty.