Chargers Beat: Antonio Gates may have to 'settle for a reduced role' upon return

Ladarius Green is known for his limited route tree, but his speed, athleticism and big frame supersede those concerns. He can stretch the field in ways no other Chargers receiver can.

He’s also a better run blocker than Antonio Gates, which could have a significant impact in rookie running back Melvin Gordon’s early development.

Even before the suspension, Green was due a bigger role in the offense. If the Chargers utilize his natural abilities and he shows he’s ready for primetime, Gates will have to settle for a reduced role when he returns.

Fantasy Impact: 

Given how effective Gates was last year, it's hard to see the team benching him for Green even if Green lights it up in the first month of the season. One thing's for sure -- Gates's suspension has thrown a pretty settled situation up in the air. In the five career games in which Green has seen more than three targets, he has averaged 3.4 catches for 66 yards and 0.40 TD. Thats 12.4 FP in PPR formats, or about what Julius Thomas averaged last season. Keep in mind that Green only averaged 5.4 T/G in those games, while Gates averaged 6.1 T/G last season, so Green has the potential to post top 5 numbers for the first month of the season.

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