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5 Things to Know About New Chargers WR DJ Chark, Jr.

Chark 5 things updated

The Los Angeles Chargers on Monday announced they signed wide receiver DJ Chark, Jr.

Here are five things to know about Chark:

1. Plenty of experience

Chark is now the most experienced member of the Chargers wide receiver room.

A 2018 second-round pick (No. 61 overall) by the Jaguars, Chark is entering his seventh year in the NFL and most recently spent a season in Carolina.

The veteran has played in 69 career games (51 starts) and hauled in 212 receptions for 3,069 receiving yards in addition to 23 touchdowns.

Chark is coming off back-to-back seasons with at least 500 receiving yards and caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Panthers.

2. Former Pro Bowler

Chark's best season of his career thus far came with the team that drafted him in 2019.

In just his second year in the league, Chark earned a Pro Bowl nomination after a stellar season as Jacksonville's No. 1 receiving threat.

The wide out caught a career-high 73 passes for 1,008 yards (team-best) and eight scores (team-best) enroute to becoming the first Jaguars receiver in four years to earn Pro Bowl honors.

He was a steady target for Jacksonville for the most part, but also had three 100-yard receiving games and two games with multiple touchdown receptions.

The Los Angeles Chargers today signed wide receiver DJ Chark Jr.

3. Deep threat

One of the things Chark has been known for throughout his time in the league?

Getting down the field.

The receiver has posted an average depth of target (ADOT) of at least 14.6 yards every year since 2020 according to Pro Football Focus, a high of 17.1 in 2021.

Most recently, Chark posted an ADOT of 15.2 last season in Carolina, good for third-highest mark in his career.

That number also ranked seventh among all receivers with at least 50 targets in 2023, according to PFF.

4. LSU's storied No. 7

Before heading to the NFL, Chark was one of the most dynamic playmakers in the SEC while at LSU.

The receiver spent four years with the Tigers from 2014 to 2017 and was their main target during his final two seasons.

Chark did it all during his LSU career, catching 66 passes for 1,340 yards and six scores in addition to carrying the ball 25 times for 264 yards and four touchdowns.

He also showed prowess on special teams during his senior season, leading the SEC in punt returns for touchdowns (two) and finished second in the conference in average per return (10.6).

His senior season he wore LSU's No. 7, a number given traditionally to LSU's most explosive playmaker.

And he delivered, lead Tigers in receptions (40), receiving yards (874) and tied for the team-high in receiving touchdowns and became the the seventh player in school history to score touchdowns three ways (receiving, rushing and special teams) in a single-season.

5. Hails from Louisiana

A four-star prospect out of the state of Louisiana, Chark would make his mark at Alexandria High School before heading to LSU.

Chark did it all for Alexandria through the air and the ground in football and on the track as well.

He culminated his senior season with 48 receptions for 554 yards and three touchdowns enroute to Louisiana All-State Honors.

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