Ladarius

Green

Green is more of a big wide receiver than a tight end at 6'6/238 with a 4.44 40-yard dash at the Combine. He has almost zero blocking ability and won’t break tackles after the catch, but he can certainly get open with unique athleticism for his size. The raw Green will get to learn from two pass-catching tight ends in San Diego, Antonio Gates and Randy McMichael.

“They’re telling me to bulk up a little bit,” Green said. “Get around the mid 240s to high 240s.” Green boasts an intriguing size/speed (4.53 40) combo, but is extremely raw coming out of small-school Louisiana-Lafayette. Green will need Antonio Gates to miss time to surface on the redraft-league radar.

Green looks like a silky smooth NBA small forward at 6-foot-6, 238, and he can run a sub-4.5 forty-yard dash. With soft hands and a large catch radius, the Chargers are hoping he develops into Antonio Gates’ heir apparent. He’d likely need a Gates and/or Randy McMichael injury to matter in 2012 fantasy leagues.

“He’s not a blocker, and he isn’t going to be a blocker,” said Smith. “But he has rare skills with speed, and we like his height, his hands, catch radius and burst. We think he’s a smart kid ... very, very talented.” If Green develops quickly, Smith hopes to use more two-tight end packages with Antonio Gates and the rookie by the second half of the season.

Green, who stands 6-foot-6, struggles to keep weight on because he’s naturally lean. The team wants him heavier so he can block. "(I) eat everything I can,” he said. “Mostly pastas, steak, potatoes, vegetables, mostly healthy, but I gotta go out sometimes. Burger King, something like that. I snuck one in.”

Green secured both of his targets, making plays down the seam. Green does not have standalone re-draft fantasy value, but he’s an intriguing Dynasty league commodity and could push for TE1 stats if Antonio Gates missed time.

Invisible as a rookie, Green caught two passes for 26 yards and a touchdown in San Diego’s preseason opener. “He’s a young football player with a good future in front of him and it’s just a matter of buying in,” McCoy said. “He’s getting better every day.” Green has a fourth-round pedigree, but needs to show something this season if he’s to remain Antonio Gates’ heir apparent.

Green recently drew praise from coach Mike McCoy for his blocking, and could become a bigger weapon in San Diego’s offense if McCoy and OC Ken Whisenhunt commit to two-tight end sets. It’s an increasing possibility due to San Diego’s wideout injuries. Green won’t have fantasy value behind Antonio Gates, but he’s shown enough to be an option if 33-year-old Gates went down.

A basketball player-type of tight end, Green’s production was inconsistent and often game-plan specific in Mike McCoy’s first season as coach, but he’s coming. Green displayed genuinely freakish athleticism when called upon, finishing the regular season with a 17-376-3 line playing behind Antonio Gates. Green already has borderline TE1 value in Dynasty leagues. He’ll be a high-ceiling TE2 pick in re-draft settings next fall.

Green secured a first-drive catch for five yards over the middle after lining up as a detached H-back. He caught a two-yard checkdown later in the first half. Green’s lowlight was a brutal third-quarter drop on a crosser that could’ve gone for about 20 yards. Green’s 2013 season was still hugely positive, as he showed legit run-blocking chops and basketball player-type receiving ability. Green turns 24 in May and is oozing Dynasty value. On the off chance San Diego severs ties with Antonio Gates (34, $5 million salary), Green could be a mammoth 2014 breakout candidate.