Wide receiver is arguably the biggest need for the Chargers this offseason. Within the last few days, we’ve seen a few potential targets find new homes, none of which happened to be with the Bolts.

There are still some possibilities via trade, most notably Cooper Kupp of the Rams. Free agency remains the most likely path, although Tee Higgins was the presumed top target, and the Bengals recently franchise tagged him once again. Let’s examine the best remaining options and the upsides and downsides of signing each one.

Chris Godwin

For a few reasons, this may not make the most sense. Godwin thrives in the slot, which is also Ladd McConkey’s primary spot. It’s similar to the argument with Kupp, although two talented wideouts could still make it work. Ideally, though, you would want to find a No. 1 that plays on the outside primarily.

Godwin is coming off a season-ending ankle injury, but he was phenomenal in 2024 before the injury. In seven games, the Penn State product had 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Godwin eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in the three prior seasons and was on his way to that feat again. Not only is he an exceptional pass catcher, but he’s also a willing blocker.

Amari Cooper

It was an oddly quiet 2024 season for Cooper. He played through injuries throughout his time in Buffalo but was mostly unproductive. In 14 combined games between the Bills and Browns, the veteran had 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns.

Cooper will be 31 years old when the 2025 season begins, and this past season was his first sign of decline. That should slightly lower his market value, but he may no longer be a true No. 1 wideout. Similar to some of the upcoming names, though, Cooper would provide some veteran leadership.

Stefon Diggs

Diggs may be the most curious case of anyone on this list. Like Godwin, Diggs is coming off a brutal injury that ended his 2024 campaign early. The 31-year-old had 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games with the Texans.

Diggs seemed to be getting his groove back just before the injury, although he isn’t the player he once was. Between his age and coming off a torn ACL, this is a risky move. Diggs does bring more potential upside to the table than anyone on this list, though.

Darius Slayton

Slayton has big-play upside and would help stretch the field for Justin Herbert and the Chargers. Quite honestly, though, his contract projections of $12+ million per year seem to be a bit much for a guy that has never topped 800 yards in a season.

He hasn’t had any good quarterback play in his six NFL seasons, all of which have come with the Giants. Herbert would help him out there, but there seems to be better options in free agency for the Chargers than Slayton.

DeAndre Hopkins

With all due respect to the five-time Pro Bowler, this should be the Chargers’ last option from this list. Hopkins will be 33 years old by Week 1 and has shown signs of decline over the last two years. He failed to eclipse 1,000 yards this past season for the first time in any entire season he’s played.

On the flip side, he would be cheaper than the other options on this list and provide valuable veteran leadership to a guy like Quentin Johnston. There’s a thing or two that Johnston could learn from Hopkins, and that kind of value goes beyond the numbers on the field.