Chargers Free Agent Film Review: New TE Room with Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst

Welcome to the fourth article in our series profiling the Los Angeles Chargers veteran free agent class.

So far, we’ve evaluated center Bradley Bozeman, cornerback Kristian Fulton, and running backs Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins.

Coming soon: tight ends Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst.

The Chargers signed Dissly to a three-year, $14 million contract in March. He begins his season at 28 years old. He spent the first six years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks after being drafted in the fourth round in 2018.

Hurst, who is entering his season at age 31, signed with the Chargers in March on a one-year veteran’s minimum contract. This will be Hurst’s fifth team in seven seasons. He was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. He was limited to nine games last season with the Carolina Panthers after suffering a concussion in Week 10.

Dissly and Hurst are the top two tight ends on the depth chart. Both players are expected to play major roles in the offense in 2024. Dissly will be the best run-blocking tight end the Chargers have fielded since 2020, when they had Hunter Henry and Virgil Green. Hurst brings more as a receiver and should be a factor in the passing game. Hurst is coming off a tough year. He finished 2023 with 18 catches for 184 yards. But he has proven himself as a receiver, most recently with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022, when he caught 52 passes.

I watched two games from last season for each player. For Dissly, I watched Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns and Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles. For Hurst, I watched Week 5 against the Detroit Lions and Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Will Dissly

Some observations from my notebook while watching Dissly’s film:

• Tough, physical run blocker that generates consistent push at the point of attack.

• Very consistent and refined in his blocking technique and body positioning.

• Size and strength to compete one-on-one with bigger rushers, both in the running game and in pass protection.

• Plays primarily from an in-line lineup; a true Y tight end.

• Effective chip blocker in pass protection.

• Has backfield flexibility.

• Can dominate smaller players as a run blocker, creates mismatches in the running game against linebackers and safeties.

• Can get vertical in the passing game when asked to do so.

• Excellent timing as a run blocker, especially when executing combination blocks.

The Chargers have been an inconsistent team over the past three seasons. And while there were many reasons behind these struggles, one of the running lines was the lack of blocking from the tight end group. Tight ends were losing at the point of attack too often, and as a result, many rushing plays were over before they could even truly begin.

Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman want to build a reliable running game. Dissly will play a major role in bringing this vision to life.

This play from the Eagles game is a good example of Dissly’s timing and feel as a run blocker.

Dissly, circled in yellow, lined up outside right tackle Abraham Lucas.

Quarterback Drew Lock took the snap under center and handed off to running back Kenneth Walker III. As Lock passed the handoff, Dissly executed a double team on Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox.

As Walker approached the line of scrimmage, Dissly was aware of linebacker Nicholas Morrow trying to fill the hole.

Dissly broke away from the double team and climbed up to Morrow.

And Dissly protected Morrow to create a lane for Walker.

Walker shot through the hole without being hit.

Dissly will provide a skill set that the Chargers have lacked at the position for several seasons.

Hayden Hurst

Some observations from my notebook while watching Hurst’s film:

• Smooth athlete.

• At his best when attacking vertically, he has the speed to win games against linebackers.

• He’ll be able to mix up strengths in the running game and handle fullbacks one-on-one (he had some really good reps against Aidan Hutchinson in the Lions game).

• Alignment flexibility, can line up in line and also separate from the formation in the slot and outside.

• Athleticism also shows in run blocking, very good as a moving blocker.

• Goes down in yards-after-catch situations; physical finisher after the capture.

• Strong hands to catch throws from outside his frame.

• Not a super deceptive road runner.

• The lack of production was linked to the general ineptitude of the Panthers’ offense: poor pass protection, inconsistent play from rookie quarterback Bryce Young; was open pretty consistently but Young couldn’t get him the ball, either because of pressure or poor court vision/decision making.

This play from the Colts game is a good example of the latter observation.

The Panthers moved into shotgun formation. Hurst, circled in yellow, was in the slot on the left side of the offense.

Young took the shot and Hurst attacked the seam.

Young hit the bottom of his drop and Hurst accelerated past linebacker Segun Olubi.

Hurst separated as Young released the throw. It was open, separating the two deep safeties.

However, Young threw his back foot with pressure to the face and the pass was intercepted.

This should have been completed for a big gain. This is a throw that Justin Herbert certainly makes.

Hurst can impact the game as a receiver at all three levels of the field. He is also a functional blocker. But I think his biggest impact will come on plays and concepts like this, where he can attack the seams vertically and expand the field for Herbert.

(Top photo by Will Dissly: Ric Tapia/Getty Images; screenshots via NFL+)