Ladarius Green

After four years as understudy to Antonio Gates in San Diego, Green is finally slated to get his shot at a starring role, taking over for the retired Heath Miller in Pittsburgh. That is or course, contingent on Green re-establishing his health. Green, who has been unable to practice since undergoing surgery for an ankle injury that bothered him most of the second half of last season, will start the season on the Steelers' PUP list, with reports (not confirmed by coach Mike Tomlin) subsequently surfacing that the tight end may have also been dealing with lingering headaches as well. When he returns to the field, Green -- who had a career-high 63 targets last year -- should get another sizable bump in a dynamic Steelers passing game. Miller had 81 targets last year in 15 games, and it would not be surprising if Green gets even more than that. Target-hog Antonio Brown (193 last year) is the first receiving option, but last year's No. 2, Martavis Bryant, is suspended for the season. Markus Wheaton likely will get a chunk of Bryant's 92 targets, but Green should too. At 6-6, 240, with 4.53 40 speed, Green seemingly has massive potential. He can fly up the seam, stretching the field for Ben Roethlisberger, and he can also work underneath, out-muscling defenders. Losing the 6-4 Bryant also makes Green more likely to see action in the red zone where he can use his 34-inch vertical leap and gigantic hands (10 1/8 inches) to pluck jump balls out of the air. Three of his four touchdowns came in the red zone last year. Miller had eight targets inside the 10 last year while Bryant had seven.

A popular breakout candidate last season, Green was less productive than the year before, losing 150 yards and failing to find the end zone after scoring three times in 2013. The problem, of course, is the ageless Antonio Gates, whose 12 touchdowns last year tied for most among tight ends. Coach Mike McCoy said the team wants to get Green more involved this year, though, of course, he said the same thing last year. But that desire might actually come to fruition this season. Gates said in the offseason he wants to play fewer snaps in 2015, limiting his work to third downs and the red zone. He is also in the last year of his contract, which could motivate the Chargers to finally prepare for a post-Gates offense, just in case. If Green ever does get a bigger role, he seemingly has the physical attributes and skills to dominate. With 4.53 speed, Green is one of the league's fastest tight ends, all the more impressive considering he is 6-6, 240. He has excellent leaping ability (34.5-inch vertical) and big hands (10 1/8 inches) and figures to have upside both as a weapon out of the slot and an uncoverable red-zone target.

The understudy the last two years to Antonio Gates, Green looks ready to play a main part in the Chargers offense this season. Coach Mike McCoy said in March that he regretted not using Green more last year. It's easy to see why, as Green averaged 22.1 yards per catch last season and 12.5 yards per target, both tops among tight ends. Eight of his 17 receptions went for 25-plus yards. And even though he was the backup, he still scored just one fewer touchdown than Gates. Green and Gates likely will be used often in two-TE sets this season. Green can split wide, as well, or play in the slot. At 6-6, 240, with 4.53 speed, he creates mismatches wherever he lines up -- too big for defensive backs, too quick for linebackers. With his height and leaping ability (34.4-inch vertical), jump balls from Philip Rivers in the end zone should be routine. Entering his 12th NFL season, Gates, 34, has clearly lost a step, and Green figures to be a significant part of the offense this season.

Green only caught four passes as a rookie, but he will remain in the mix as a backup tight end in 2013 and could see increased action if the veteran Antonio Gates gets banged up.

The Chargers are extremely high on their athletic new new tight end and see him as a potential long-term heir apparent to Antonio Gates. However, in the short term, the tight end position is extremely crowded with Randy McMichael, Dante Rosario and Kory Sperry all bringing tons of experience to the position in training camp.