Fantasy: 2019 Projections - Is Chargers' Henry finally ready to launch?

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With training camps approaching, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.

Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

• Passing Yards: 1 point per 25 yards
• Passing TDs: 4 points
• Interceptions: -2 points
• Rushing Yards: 1 point per 10 yards
• Rushing TDs: 6 points
• Receptions: 1 point
• Receiving Yards: 1 point per 10 yards
• Receiving TDs: 6 points
• Fumbles Lost: -2 points
• Two-point Conversions: 2 points

2019 Fantasy Projections

AFC East
NE | BUF | NYJ | MIA
AFC North
BAL | CIN | PIT | CLE
AFC South
JAX | IND | HOU | TEN
AFC West
DEN | KC | OAK | LAC
NFC East
DAL | PHI | NYG | WAS
NFC North
DET | GB | MIN | CHI
NFC South
ATL | NO | CAR | TB
NFC West
LAR | SF | SEA | ARI

Los Angeles Chargers

Philip Rivers, QB

Rivers remains one of the league's best quarterbacks heading into his age-38 season. He's maintained incredibly consistent fantasy stats as a low-end QB1, yet he attempted just 508 passes in 2018 - his lowest mark in almost a decade. The decline in volume was directly related to the Chargers' overall success; the team won 12 games last season and leaned on its rushing attack and loaded defense in most contests. The savvy veteran kept his fantasy production up with the second-highest touchdown rate of his career, but that's a volatile stat on which to rely. Rivers will once again flirt with borderline QB1 numbers, but we view him as a QB2 best paired with a younger upside option - even if Melvin Gordon holds out.

Quarterback depth: Tyrod Taylor is an elite backup, especially when looking at the situation through a fantasy lens. Taylor is a dual-threat quarterback, so the Chargers' offense would function far differently with him at the helm; he'd have a negative impact on the volume and efficiency of the receiving weapons and give a boost to the ball carriers. Should Rivers get injured, Taylor will find himself in the QB2/streamer mix for fantasy.

Melvin Gordon, RB

Gordon's contract standoff with the Chargers is eerily reminiscent of Le'Veon Bell's holdout, a tactic Gordon said he'd employ if necessary. With both sides unwilling to budge, Gordon's ADP is falling into the late first and even second rounds, and rightfully so. There's plenty of time for the dispute to be resolved, but anyone who tells you they know how this will play out is lying. Our projection accounts for Gordon playing 14 games, whether due to injury or sitting out the first couple of weeks. Let's hope we're being overly cautious and that the top-six back takes the field for a full season.

Austin Ekeler, RB

Even with Gordon finishing in the top 10, Ekeler rounded out last year as the RB25 in PPR formats. He carries standalone value when Gordon is in the lineup and will get bumped up into the top 20 if Gordon sits out. Just don't be fooled into thinking the 5-foot-10, 200-pound Ekeler is a workhorse. He shared touches with Justin Jackson in the games Gordon missed last season and would do so again in 2019.

Running back depth: Jackson, a seventh-round selection, flashed in limited duty as a rookie last year. Though it certainly seems like posturing against Gordon, head coach Anthony Lynn said he's "looking for big things" from Jackson, according to NFL.com's Michael Silver. If Gordon holds out, Jackson will offer flex potential as Ekler's sidekick.

Keenan Allen, WR

Allen's early-career injuries are well behind him: He's suited up for all 16 games in each of the last two seasons, posting top-12 stats in both campaigns. His reduced touchdown totals are all that separate Allen from the elite fantasy receivers.

Mike Williams, WR

With Tyrell Williams leaving in free agency, Mike Williams will assume the No. 2 job and see a bigger target share in 2019. His double-digit touchdown upside makes him more appealing in standard leagues, but he's also in the conversation as a high-ceiling WR3 in PPR. He'll morph into a fantasy league-winner if Allen suffers an injury.

Receiver depth: Travis Benjamin will step into the field-stretcher role vacated by Tyrell Williams. Unfortunately, the position will be far too inconsistent to trust Benjamin as anything more than a late-round best-ball pick. Keep an eye on Artavis Scott in the preseason, who has the talent to warrant more snaps.

Hunter Henry, TE

Henry is back after missing nearly the entire 2018 season with a torn ACL, an injury that delayed his launch as a fantasy star. Henry hauled in 12 touchdowns over his first two campaigns, teasing fantasy managers with his potential. With veteran Antonio Gates out of the way, Henry can become the Chargers' new starting tight end - a position Rivers has favored as much as any quarterback over the last 10 seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. Though he may seem like a risk coming off a serious injury, Henry is one of the safest tight ends to target in fantasy this season and will deliver top-five numbers.

Tight end depth: Unless the Chargers elect to re-sign Gates, there's no one on the depth chart who'll eat into Henry's volume.

2019 Fantasy Projections

AFC East
NE | BUF | NYJ | MIA
AFC North
BAL | CIN | PIT | CLE
AFC South
JAX | IND | HOU | TEN
AFC West
DEN | KC | OAK | LAC
NFC East
DAL | PHI | NYG | WAS
NFC North
DET | GB | MIN | CHI
NFC South
ATL | NO | CAR | TB
NFC West
LAR | SF | SEA | ARI