The 2021 NFL draft is just five days away.
With nine picks (at the moment), the Chargers roster will have a slight makeover under first-year head coach Brandon Staley.
But before that, Pro Football Focus’ Anthony Treash ranked Los Angeles’ roster, along with the other 31 teams in the league as they stand right now.
It’s worth noting the list was “heavily influenced by the two-year PFF WAR (wins above replacement) of the players, but also had some subjective projection involved for those younger, emerging talents.”
Treash ranked the Bolts’ roster at No. 25 but added that the team ranks 12th in draft capital.
The Chargers’ offensive line has undergone a complete makeover this offseason, and understandably so; the 2020 group was the second-lowest-graded of the last decade. New signees Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler, along with a healthy Bryan Bulaga, should move this group closer to average and help quarterback Justin Herbert avoid major regression in Year 2, as a lot of his rookie success came in unstable areas like pressured passing. The concerns really lie on the defensive side of the ball. Edge defender Joey Bosa and Derwin James are both clearly among the best at their respective positions when healthy, but things look rough outside of those two. The Chargers rank among the bottom five teams in the NFL when it comes to 2020 WAR on their current defense.
The ranking comes as a bit of a surprise, as I’m sure it will to many fans.
The Chargers saw some turnover to their roster, letting go of notable players like Hunter Henry, Denzel Perryman, Rayshawn Jenkins, Casey Hayward, Trai Turner, Melvin Ingram, among others.
However, in correspondence, the team realized the offensive line has been the biggest issue the past few seasons and made the point to upgrade the unit, signing All-Pro center Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi.
Offensively, Los Angeles will be led by rookie sensation Justin Herbert. With the line that’s in place and an eventual starting left tackle, and weapons around him; Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams and Jared Cook, he should be set up for sophomore success.
Defensively, Staley will have a solid group of pieces to work with, led by Derwin James, Joey Bosa, Michael Davis, Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill, Linval Joseph and Chris Harris Jr. Jerry Tillery, Uchenna Nwosu and Nasir Adderley are players primed to breakout.
If general manager Tom Telesco hits a home run in this year’s draft, you might be able to make the argument that L.A. has a top-10 roster heading into the 2021 campaign. If the group can stay healthy throughout the year, watch out.
As for the rest of the AFC West, the Chiefs sat near the top at No. 3. The Broncos were not far off from them at No. 6. The Raiders checked in at No. 28.