Chargers tight end Gerald Everett was familiar with his new head coach Brandon Staley from their one year together with the Rams, but he didn’t know Staley’s offensive philosophy because Staley was the defensive coordinator in 2020.

“We want to spread the ball around and throw it,” Everett said after the first day of the Chargers’ offseason program. “I think that it will be down-the-field vertically.”

Staley’s offensive philosophy hasn’t changed since the Chargers hired him a year ago. He wants an abundance of weapons for quarterback Justin Herbert, and they have that with the dynamic receiving duo of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and the free-agent acquisition of Everett, but they’re missing a speed threat to attack the field vertically.

The Chargers are likely hoping one of the top offensive tackles or cornerbacks in the draft falls to them with the 17th overall pick in Thursday’s opening round, but if the draft  doesn’t break their way, they might address their speed needs with the first pick.

Wide receiver Jalen Guyton has held the Chargers’ speed role the past two seasons, but he’s not consistently getting open and isn’t drawing enough attention to remove defenders from Allen and Williams.

Josh Palmer showed enough promise as a rookie wide receiver last year to be considered one of the team’s best young players. Many expected Palmer to be a potential replacement for Williams before Williams and the Chargers agreed to a three-year extension in the offseason. Palmer has similar qualities to Williams and Allen as a smooth route runner with size, but he’s not considered a burner.

Here are options and scenarios the Chargers could be faced with during the three-day draft in Las Vegas to address their speed needs:

Meet the top four wide receivers

Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Jameson Williams, Alabama

Drake London, USC

Chris Olave, Ohio State

Analysis: The Chargers attended Ohio State’s Pro Day to watch Wilson and Olave and they were also present at London’s Pro Day. They’ve done their homework on this talented wide receiver class, but those three players probably aren’t as high as Williams on the Chargers’ draft board.

Williams has the game-changing speed that the Chargers are coveting. Williams tore his ACL in the national championship game in January, but the Chargers can afford to wait on his recovery because of their deep receiving corps. Williams’ big-play ability with Herbert’s strong arm could make the Chargers dangerous in 2022 and for years to come. Some of the draft experts, however, have concerns about Williams’ hands and drops in college.

The 6-foot-4 London can also be a downfield threat because of his athleticism and ball skills, but they already have Mike Williams, arguably the best jump-ball receiver in the NFL. Olave is a smooth route runner with speed, but he has similar traits to Allen and Palmer.

Wilson might be the most complete wideout in this year’s class, but the Chargers aren’t in need of an all-around wideout. They want speed and Jameson Williams is being compared to new Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

But there’s a strong chance Wilson and Williams could be gone by the time the Chargers are on the clock at 17. Olave, who ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash, could be available if the Chargers want to add speed with their first pick.

What if the top wideouts are gone by pick 17?

Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Skyy Moore, Western Michigan

Analysis: The Chargers could be looking to trade down in the first round to recoup the second-round pick they lost in the Khalil Mack trade with the Chicago Bears.

Burks would be a nice option in the back end of the first round because he’s versatile and extends plays with the ball in his hands. The Chargers want speed, but they also need a swiss-army-knife playmaker and Burks is drawing comparisons to Deebo Samuel.

Burks is worthy of the No. 17 pick and could be gone if the Chargers decide to trade down. There’s a better chance that Dotson will be available in the back end of the first round.

Dotson has speed, knows how to get open and has experience as a punt returner. The Chargers would welcome a special-teams contributor.

Moore had an impressive scouting combine and displayed versatility. Moore could be an option in the second round if the Chargers decide to trade out of their first pick.

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Options if no wide receiver in the early rounds

John Metchie, Alabama

Alec Pierce, Cincinnati

Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky

Calvin Austin, Memphis

Danny Gray, SMU

Tyquan Thornton, Baylor

Analysis: If speed is a must for the Chargers, they might take a chance on Thornton, possibly the fastest player in the draft. But many are concerned about his slim frame and lack of strength. Gray is also viewed as a speedy project prospect.

Metchie isn’t a burner, but his savvy route-running skills make him a value pick in the middle rounds.

What the draft experts are saying

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah on Jameson Williams and Chris Olave

“I think there’s been a healthy obsession with speed in this league, so I would probably come down to Olave and Jameson Williams. I would lean Olave just because I think he’s more of a complete receiver. I think he’s a little bit better route runner.”