The Chargers lost a few of their starters from last season, but added some in correspondence via free agency.
But how do they compare now to after the 2020 regular season?
First, was the offense. Next, is the defense.
Defensive Line
Offseason moves: Lost Isaac Rochell as an unrestricted free agent to Colts.
Summary: On paper, the Chargers possess a good-looking interior in head coach Brandon Staley’s 3-4 defense, with the starters being Linval Joseph, Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery. Joseph will start at nose tackle after a promising season that saw him not only command double teams, but make impactful plays against the pass and run. Jones has yet to unlock his full potential, but as a defensive end in the new scheme, his traits will do him wonders. Like Jones, Tillery will fit in perfectly as a defensive end, where his skillset profiles better to, given his length, strength and power. Behind them there’s Cortez Broughton and Breiden Fehoko. Broughton was a seventh-round pick in 2019 and has some versatility. Fehoko, an undrafted free agent, showed promise at nose tackle in his rookie season in 2020. The team could benefit from adding some more juice up front, which can be done in this year’s draft.
Verdict: Same
Edge Defender/Outside Linebacker
Offseason moves: Signed Kyler Fackrell from Giants. Lost Nick Vigil to Vikings. Melvin Ingram remains unsigned.
Summary: With Ingram no longer taking the spotlight, Nwosu enters the season as a starter. Yet to display himself with a full-time role, the anticipation with Nwosu going into the 2021 season is real. Not only has he flashed enough to be an impactful starter, but the sky is limit knowing what Staley was able to do with Leonard Floyd with the Rams last season. Bosa will play on the “edge” of the defense, but he will move around a lot. Fackrell along with Emeke Egbule will come on the field as rotational pass-rushers. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team draft one that fits Staley’s mold, with that being an explosive and lengthy player.
Verdict: Slightly worse
Inside Linebacker
Offseason moves: Lost Denzel Perryman to Panthers.
Summary: The highly anticipated duo of Kenneth Murray and Drue Tranquill was short lived this after Tranquill suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the 2020 season. After having nearly a full year to recover, the boys will be back in town. Murray experienced growing pains right off the bat, but he made consistent growth week in and week out, with his best football coming towards the end of the season. He should be in for a strong sophomore season. Having Tranquill’s play-making skills, both against the run and pass, will be very beneficial. Kyzir White has drawn some injury concerns, but he showed major strides this past season. Like Tranquill and Murray, he could be due for his best season yet. Los Angeles might look to add a cheap veteran or late-round/undrafted free agent for depth.
Verdict: Same
Cornerback
Offseason moves: Signed Ryan Smith. Re-signed Michael Davis and Brandon Facyson. Released Casey Hayward.
Summary: Davis will fill in as one of the starters on the outside. Chris Harris, Jr. will mainly man the slot, but he will move outside in base. Facyson is likely just a depth piece. Smith has experience as a starter, but he was signed to be a special teams ace. The team also has Tevaughn Campbell, Donte Vaughn and John Brannon on the roster, but they all don’t have the experience to be counted on as starters. Therefore, even after re-signing Davis and Facyson, the positional group is not a finished product and they will need to add another player with the ability to start, which will likely be done with one of their first two draft picks.
Verdict: Slightly worse
Safety
Offseason moves: Lost Rayshawn Jenkins to Jaguars.
Summary: I was thinking that Los Angeles was going to re-sign Jenkins, with the expectation that he was going to form a tandem with Derwin James coming back next season. Now L.A. has a hole at free safety. On the roster, they have Nasir Adderley, who is coming off a rough sophomore season. While he showed some flashes in spurts, he was too inconsistent in the single-high role in Gus Bradley’s system. Maybe Staley sees this as an opportunity to maximize Adderley’s potential. Scheme should play a factor, too. Either way, given the fact that Staley likes to use three-safety formations, the team needs to add more talent.
Verdict: Slightly worse