The Chargers enter this offseason with the most salary cap space ($55.8 million) that they’ve had since general manager Tom Telesco took over in 2013.
With that, Telesco must use that money to fulfill the roster needs to ensure that they’re in the most optimal position as they look to bounce back from a 5-11 season.
Here’s a look at the five most pressing needs for the Bolts heading into free agency:
5. Nose tackle
Brandon Mebane was signed to a two-year deal last offseason, but he will be turning 35 years old. Damion Square and Sylvester Williams proved themselves in that role, but both players will be free agents. Even if one of them is re-signed the Chargers could benefit from adding another clog in the middle of the defensive line since the run defense has still yet to be efficient.
Los Angeles could look to sign Damon Harrison, Dontari Poe, Beau Allen, Danny Shelton, among others.
4. Wide receiver
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both coming off productive seasons, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards. However, there is no one behind the two that can be called upon. Travis Benjamin was released recently and the other guys at the position didn’t produce when they had the opportunity. Particularly, the Chargers should look to add a fast wideout who can stretch the field and open up the offense.
There are some top-heavy options in free agency, but they might benefit more from taking advantage of a deep wide receiver draft class.
3. Cornerback
The Chargers have been fortunate to have a player like Casey Hayward, who has shut down the league’s best wideouts since signing back in 2016. However, the other options opposite of him are questionable moving forward. Michael Davis was up and down this past season and Brandon Facyson was promising, but he didn’t have that much of a role as a starter.
Los Angeles could look to sign someone like Bradley Roby, Ronald Darby, Vernon Hargreaves, James Bradberry, Trae Waynes, among others.
2. Offensive line
Russell Okung has taken his services to Carolina and while the Chargers got Trai Turner, a five-time Pro Bowl guard in return, the talent along the line is still thin.
Mike Pouncey sustained a severe neck injury, leaving his future up in the air. Forrest Lamp had a season-ending knee injury, drawing durability concerns. Sam Tevi has been underwhelming. Dan Feeney has been up and down.
Michael Schofield is a pending free agent. Trent Scott struggled, and Trey Pipkins showed promise, but there are still plenty of things he needs to work on in order to be relied on as a starter.
The Chargers need to make some upgrades both to the tackle and guard position to revamp an area that has been under construction for years now. Some notables that they could look to sign, include Jack Conklin, Jason Peters, Bryan Bulaga, Kelvin Beachum, George Fant, among others.
1. Quarterback
After 14 seasons, Philip Rivers is no longer the starting quarterback. The Chargers have Tyrod Taylor as the penciled in starter at the moment, but it’s up in the air if he is a long-term option, and he only has one more year remaining on his contract.
Los Angeles could be intrigued to sign a well-known free agent like Tom Brady, Teddy Bridgewater, Ryan Tannehill, Marcus Mariota, among others to help with the ticket sales. However, drafting a quarterback might be the better option.
The most optimal path to building a Super Bowl-contending roster is by having a quarterback on a rookie deal. If you’re not paying your quarterback top-of-the-market money, then you can use that cap space to fulfill other positions of need.