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.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) runs with the ball after catching a pass during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) warms up before an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. celebrates after scoring against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) makes a catch as he's defended by Tennessee Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton (26) during their NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. catches a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) celebrates with tight end Hayden Hurst (81) after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 in Seattle. The Seahawks won 37-27. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 in Seattle. The Seahawks won 37-27. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. runs for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Detroit Lions wide receiver DJ Chark (4) runs during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Detroit Lions wide receiver DJ Chark (4) makes a reception for a touchdown in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Detroit Lions wide receiver DJ Chark (4) in action against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Detroit Lions wide receiver DJ Chark (4) makes a touchdown reception defended by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) in the second half during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) runs a route during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) has Alton Sterling's name inscribed on the back of his helmet before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
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.
