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Ranking Chargers’ top needs entering this offseason

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez ranks the Los Angeles Chargers’ top needs entering this offseason.

The Chargers enter this offseason with the most salary cap space that they’ve had since general manager Tom Telesco took over in 2013. Los Angeles also possesses all seven picks in the 2020 NFL draft.

With that, they must use both outlets accordingly 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 are the five most pressing needs for the Bolts heading into this offseason:

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.

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 didn’t do much before getting hurt, Dontrelle Inman was starting to surge before landing on the injured reserve, and the other guys at the position didn’t produce. The Chargers should look to add a fast wideout who can stretch the field.

3. Cornerback

The Chargers have been fortunate to have a player like Casey Hayward, who has shut down the league’s best wideouts. Hayward is signed through the 2021 season But 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 sample size in the starting role.

2. Offensive line

Injuries was the narrative for the offensive line this past season. It all started with Russell Okung, as he missed all of training camp and nearly half the regular season after suffering a pulmonary embolism. When he returned, he dealt with various lower body injuries. Center Mike Pouncey sustained a severe neck injury that ended his season. Guard Forrest Lamp had a season-ending knee injury. Right tackle Sam Tevi was banged up throughout the year. Guard 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 to the tackle and guard position to improve the pass protection that was underwhelming this past season.

1. Quarterback

At the moment, no one knows who the starting quarterback is going to be for the Chargers in 2020. Philip Rivers is a pending free agent and if he returns for Year 17 remains to be seen. Even if Rivers does return, the team doesn’t have a succession plan. They have Tyrod Taylor, but he isn’t a long-term option and he only has one more year remaining on his contract. Assuming Rivers is signed to a one-year deal, Los Angeles should look to take a quarterback in the first-round. The rookie would be able to sit and learn from Rivers. But if the team feels like he is no longer in their plans, that would mean that Taylor would serve as the bridge. Nonetheless, it’s been 16 years since the Chargers have taken a quarterback in Round 1, and this would be the perfect year to take one early on no matter who’s going to start.

Who’s the Chargers ‘most overpaid player’?

Bleacher Report names the Los Angeles Chargers’ most overpaid player heading into the 2020 offseason.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco has done an excellent job of bringing in talent on a bargain. For a team that hasn’t had the most cap space to spend on free agents in the past, he has managed to get it done.

But there are some players on the roster that might be getting quite a bit more than they actually deserve. Whether that’s due to poor play or struggling to stay on the field due to injuries, teams will most likely have one or two.

Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon recently named the worst contracts on each team heading into the 2020 offseason. For the Chargers, Gagnon believes that is offensive tackle Russell Okung.

The Los Angeles Chargers can easily get out of this contract, as only $2.5 million of Okung’s $15.5 million walk-year salary-cap hit is guaranteed.

But that would just leave them with a hole at one of the most important positions on the field, and the potential alternative problem is that’s a hell of a lot of money for a guy who missed much of 2019 because of a pulmonary embolism that resulted from blood clots in his lungs and then later missed more time because of a groin injury.

The Bolts can gain wiggle room by extending Okung’s contract, but even that’s risky considering his age (32) and injury history. It’s just not an optimal situation.

It wasn’t the season that Okung was hoping for in 2019. The veteran tackle had been sidelined to start the season due to a pulmonary embolism that was discovered in June. That was followed up with the groin issue a few games into his season debut. Okung only played six games.

Since being signed in 2017, Okung has been a difference-maker for the Chargers. He has been a key contributor to keeping pressure from quarterback Philip Rivers’ blindside, but the health complications from this past season have really drawn some pause in regards to his future.

Even though he has one more year left on his contract – if the Chargers felt like he wouldn’t be able to stay healthy – they could move on from him and save $13.5 million. But releasing him does come with a risk. When he’s on the field, Okung is stout and capable and proven left tackles don’t grow on trees.

4 ‘go for broke’ free agent signings the Chargers could pursue in offseason

General manager Tom Telesco should look to throw his money at these soon-to-be free agents.

The Los Angeles Chargers enter this offseason with the most salary cap space that they’ve had in years.

Even though L.A. has to use a good chunk of that money to re-sign a few of their own players, along with possibly extending a notable – defensive end Joey Bosa, they should look to bring in some external free agents to ensure they’re in the most optimal position to make a run in 2020 – even if that means breaking the bank.

It wouldn’t be like general manager Tom Telesco to go on a free agency frenzy, but he said in his end-of-season press conference that this is probably the most cap space that they’ve had since he has been there, so it could be suggesting that he might be the most aggressive that he’s been since taking over in 2013.

Should Telesco and company look to bring in some big-time free agents that might require a hefty paycheck, then these are four additions that we’d advocate for.

G Brandon Scherff

Scherff, the three-time Pro Bowler, has started in every game he has played in since his rookie year in 2015, and he has played 100% of the offensive snaps in all but eight of his 65 games. A wall in pass protection and a mover in the run blocking department, Scherff allowed one sack, nine hurries, and 10 overall pressures last season. The former Iowa product has battled through some injuries throughout his career, but he has overcame them and has managed to continue to still play at a high level. Scherff would be an immediate plug-and-play guard on the left side, taking over Dan Feeney, assuming that Michael Schofield is re-signed. Spotrac has his estimated value at a four-year, $50 million deal.

OT Jack Conklin

Conklin, the 25-year old tackle, became an All-Pro as a rookie, but tore his ACL during the 2018 playoffs. He has allowed just 9.5 sacks in his four-year stint since being selected in the first-round of the 2016 NFL draft. In the 2019 regular season, he allowed two sacks, finishing with a streak of 11-straight games without one allowed. With the Chargers have a major need at the right tackle position, Conklin would be an immediate upgrade over Sam Tevi. Spotrac has his estimated value at a six-year, $89 million deal.

CB James Bradberry

The Chargers could shore up their secondary by adding a talented player opposite of CB Casey Hayward. Hayward was acquired via free agency and Telesco could make another splash by looking in the pool to find one of the league’s most underrated corners. At the age of 26, Bradberry is entering his prime. He defended nine passes along with a career-high three interceptions this past season. His best season came in 2018 when he defended 15 passes, posted two interceptions, forced a fumble and recorded a sack. Los Angeles wouldn’t necessarily have to go broke to acquire him – but based on his production in recent seasons he wouldn’t be that cheap, either.

WR Robby Anderson

The Chargers are missing one piece to the wide receiver room. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have proven themselves, but the guys behind them failed to step up as WR3. The wide receiver should and most likely will be addressed in the draft since there is plenty of talent in this year’s class – but Anderson would give Los Angeles something that they were hoping to get out of Travis Benjamin – a fast, vertical threat that could keep defenses honest. He’s never surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in a single season, but he is averaging 14.8 yards per reception. With this wide receiver group in free agency set to be rather thin, his asking price is likely to be somewhere in the ballpark of Tyrell Williams’ (four-year, $44 million)

NFL executives predict where QB Philip Rivers will play in 2020

Who will quarterback Philip Rivers suit up for in 2020?

The future of quarterback Philip Rivers is currently up in the air.

It’s clear that the 38-year old wants to continue to keep playing, but where that is remains to be seen.

The Los Angeles Chargers could elect to re-sign Rivers to a one-year deal, or they could let him hit the market when free agency begins on March 18.

It is a mystery who Rivers will be suiting up for in 2020 – but NFL executives believe that it will be a team not named the Chargers. Instead, they believe that Rivers will sign with the Colts, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

With Indy looking to add quarterback competition for Jacoby Brissett in 2020, multiple league execs say the Colts could turn to Rivers, who threw 92 touchdown passes from 2013 to 2015 with Frank Reich as his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Current Indy coordinator Nick Sirianni was also an assistant on that Chargers staff.

“He’s not mobile and his arm strength looked questionable at times, but he’s still a year removed from an MVP-type season. And the Colts have a window,” one exec said.

But here’s the other side: Adding Rivers, whose contract is up in L.A., might not align with the personality of general manager Chris Ballard, who covets young talent he can mold. He could opt for a QB in the draft. And the team hasn’t totally given up on Brissett, who started hot in 2019.

Indy has $93,628,216 in 2020 cap space, more than enough for two veteran-quarterback contracts. Ballard said at his end-of-year news conference that he wished he bolstered the team’s depth with all that space in 2019.

We’ve listed the Colts as an ideal landing spot for the former North Carolina State product. Not only do they have the ammo to bring him in, but there are a few different variables that could entice Rivers.

Coach Frank Reich was the Chargers’ quarterbacks coach during the 2013 season. That season, Rivers led the NFL with a 69.5 completion percentage, the highest of his career.

Along with throwing for 4,478 yards and 32 touchdowns that season, Rivers managed to take care of the football, throwing just 11 interceptions while earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Along with the familiarity with Reich, Indianapolis has young playmakers, as well as one of the league’s top offensive lines. Rivers would also be able to play an ideal conditions the majority of the season since the Colts play in a dome.

Rivers threw for 4,615 yards and completed 66% of his passes this past season. He also threw for 20 interceptions and 23 touchdowns, his lowest scoring output since his second season as a starter.

Should the Chargers elect to move on from Rivers, they have Tyrod Taylor, who’s entering the second and final season of his contract. The team also has the sixth pick in the NFL draft, the perfect spot to take a young quarterback.

Chargers 3-round mock draft

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez drops his latest three-round mock draft for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The offseason is near, which means that predictions for free agency and the NFL draft are going to continue to roll out.

Here is our latest three-round mock draft for the Los Angeles Chargers:

Round 1, No. 6, QB Justin Herbert, Oregon

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Whether or not Philip Rivers is back next season, the Chargers can’t hold off on finding his successor. The team could look to draft offensive line help here, but they are in a great spot where one of the top quarterbacks like Herbert will most likely be on the board.

Herbert, the 6-foot-6 and 237 pounder, has everything that the Bolts will look for in their future quarterback — arm talent, mobility, experience, football intelligence and production. While there are some areas that need to be addressed – he is a guy with high upside.

With some polish and being surrounded with talent like wide receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, tight end Hunter Henry and running backs Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson – I can see Herbert really maximizing his potential.

It wouldn’t be the most sexy selection in eyes of the fans, but it’s a pick that the organization would make given their philosophy, need and most importantly, he checks off on nearly all of the boxes when it comes to what’s required in their evaluation process.

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Potential Chargers target QB Justin Herbert accepts Senior Bowl invite

The Los Angeles Chargers love Senior Bowl players. Is Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert next in line?

Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert’s path to the draft starts in Mobile, AL.

Herbert accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, a premiere college all-star game that showcases the top seniors across the country, played Jan. 25 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Possessing the No. 6 overall selection and having the need to find the quarterback of the future, there’s no denying that Herbert will be under a microscope throughout the week.

Recently, we highlighted Herbert as the perfect successor to quarterback Philip Rivers, who’s future with the team remains to be seen. The Eugene native could fully buy the team in with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.

Opinions on Herbert appear to be a mixed bag, but we are high on him because of his physical traits, arm talent, mobility and experience. With some polish to certain areas, we believe he has the potential to become a great NFL quarterback.

The Chargers have shown to covet prospects that play in the all-star game. In 2018, Los Angeles selected four players that played in the Senior Bowl. Last year, they took two players that were present in Mobile.

Other quarterbacks that will draw the attention of the Bolts include Utah State’s Jordan Love and Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts.

Offseason reset should bring plenty of hope for Chargers in 2020

If the Los Angeles Chargers nail this offseason, they should be in great standing for the 2020 season.

The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t have the season that they were hoping for in 2019. After going 12-4, which included a trip to the playoffs, it was followed up with a 5-11 record, the worst in the AFC West.

You can point to the slew of injuries, the midseason coaching change, the in-game problems that led to the close losses all year as the reasons why they were unable to string more wins together.

The bottom line is that they can now only look towards the next season. The Chargers will have the offseason to add more talent to an already impressive roster to ensure that they can have a campaign similar to 2018.

That is why Bleacher Report’s Chris Roling identified offseason reset as Los Angeles’ best reason for hope for next year.

Things didn’t pan out the way the Los Angeles Chargers envisioned in 2019—a slight understatement for a team that put up just five wins a year removed from 12.

The question that’s hanging over Philip Rivers’ time with the team isn’t fun, either, as the 38-year-old faces free agency and skills decline. But what is? The No. 6 pick and $56.4 million in cap space.

In the draft, the Chargers could be in a position for a top-flight passer such as Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa. And generally speaking, the front office has been money in the first round, having selected Derwin James, Mike Williams, Joey Bosa, Melvin Gordon III and Jason Verrett.

Free agency will present an interesting opportunity, too, with guys such as quarterback Marcus Mariota and otherwise. Regressions of seven wins don’t happen often, and the Chargers have plenty of resources capable of spurring a similar rebound.

Sitting atop of the priorities for the Chargers this offseason is deciding the future for 15 of their own players whose contracts are expiring. Among the group is quarterback Philip Rivers, running back Melvin Gordon, tight end Hunter Henry and guard Michael Schofield.

The team is sitting pretty with $56.4 million in salary cap space to bring back some of these key contributors. But they will have to make some tough decisions by letting go of those that hurt them this past season and bring in talent from the free agency pool to set them up for success moving forward.

After signing in-house players and soon-to-be free agents at positions of need like a plug-and-play offensive lineman, the 2020 NFL draft will be the perfect outlet to find the future face of the franchise early on, and talent on the offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback and defensive tackle position.

If the Chargers nail their offseason, they will be in great standing when they start their new journey in their new stadium. The biggest thing during the 2020 campaign is making sure that the majority of the roster can stay healthy throughout the full slate.

Shining Sophomore or Sophomore Slump? Grading Chargers’ 2018 draft class’ second season

Chargers Wire grades the Los Angeles Chargers’ 2018 draft class’ second season to determine if the sophomores slumped or shined.

When evaluating the previous season as a whole, it’s easy to make quick judgements on the rookie class. Yet, we forget about the group that was brought in the year prior.

In 2018, general manager Tom Telesco made the point to load up on the defensive side of the ball, as well as bring in some offensive players later on that were thought to make some contributions.

With that, let’s take a look at whether the second-year players shined or slumped:

Round 1, Safety Derwin James

Coming off an outstanding rookie season, the expectations were at an all-time high for James. Unfortunately, his campaign was put to a halt as he sustained a foot injury which required surgery that kept him out for the majority of the year. Though the defense were relatively solid, his absence was evident. Upon returning in Week 13, his impact was felt immediately. James, the chess piece on the defensive side of the ball, made plays in coverage, against the run and as an additional blitzer. In five games, he posted 34 tackles, three tackles for loss and one pass deflected.

Grade: A, but incomplete

Round 2, LB Uchenna Nwosu

Entering this season, it was expected that Nwosu was going to take over as the full-time SAM after the team elected to move on from Kyle Emanuel. But that’s not how it turned out after all. Nwosu primarily backed up defensive end Melvin Ingram at LEO, getting snaps when Ingram would come off the field, which was not very often. He received almost 100 more snaps than he did last year, but his production took a bit of a dip in the pass-rushing department. Nwosu only posted two sacks after finishing with 3.5 in 2018, and he only had seven quarterback hits this season compared to last season where he had 10. Nwosu did make more of an impact as a run defender, finishing with five tackles for loss. The jury is still out whether or not Nwosu will take on more of an expanded role next season.

Grade: B-

Round 3, DT Justin Jones

It wasn’t until near the end of the 2018 season when Jones really started to come into his own. Jones used the offseason to shed some weight to get quicker and more agile. From how his sophomore season went, the tactic that he used paid dividends. Even though he missed four games due to an injury, Jones was arguably one of the team’s best interior defenders, making an impact as a pass-rusher and run defender. The former North Carolina State product finished 30 tackles, six quarterback pressures, two tackles for loss, one pass deflected and a forced fumble.

Grade: B+

Round 4, LB Kyzir White

After flashing very early on in his rookie season, White’s year was cut short after sustaining a knee injury. White used the time off to get healthier, stronger and bigger as he was up 13 pounds entering the offseason. He started the season as the starting middle linebacker while Denzel Perryman was nursing an ankle injury for the first two games. White struggled in that role, so Perryman took over. With Thomas Davis serving as the starting WILL, that only left White with one option: SAM. With the Chargers playing a lot of nickel packages, that means the SAM doesn’t see the field as much. Because of that, White didn’t play as much as many were expecting. When White did see the field, he was making plays. The former West Virginia product finished with 40 tackles, two passes defensed and one tackle for loss. The expectation is that when Davis is no longer with the team, then White will likely take over that role full-time.

Grade: B

Round 5, C Scott Quessenberry

The offensive line wasn’t particularly a bright spot for the Chargers due to injuries that occurred throughout the season. But when one man (Pouncey) went down, another stepped up. Quessenberry made an impact early on that many may have not been expecting from him when handing him the starting duties. But you could tell that he benefited from learning from a four-time Pro Bowler. The former UCLA product was consistent in pass protection and in the run blocking department. Depending on what happens with Pouncey, Quessenberry could be in line to start as early as next season.

Grade: A-

Round 6, WR Dylan Cantrell

After dealing with a shoulder injury in his rookie season, Cantrell, the summer standout, was expected to take a big leap in Year 2. Unfortunately, the injury reoccured and was he ultimately waived by the team in July. He cleared waivers and reverted to the injured reserve. He never made an appearance this past season and his future with Los Angeles remains to be seen.

Grade: N/A

Round 7, RB Justin Jackson

While RB Melvin Gordon dealt with an injury in 2018, it didn’t take long for Jackson to raise some eyebrows with his play. Fast forward to 2019 when Gordon held out for a quarter of the season, Jackson still maintained the model of consistency, flashing as a runner. In the first three games of the season while serving as the complimentary back to Austin Ekeler, Jackson rushed for 142 yards, averaging 7.9 yards per carry. From that point on, he was banged up by a hamstring injury, and he didn’t benefit from Gordon’s return. Should the Chargers choose to move on from Gordon, Jackson is likely going to be due for a huge uptick in snaps moving forward.

Grade: B+

PFF identifies perfect early/late-round fits for Chargers in 2020 NFL draft

Pro Football Focus identifies the perfect early/late-round fits for Chargers in the 2020 NFL draft.

With the 2019 season in the rearview, all attention has shifted to what the Los Angeles Chargers can do to their roster this offseason to ensure that an underwhelming campaign doesn’t repeat itself in 2020.

The 2020 NFL draft is one of the biggest events where the Chargers can pull out a slew of young talent.

Pro Football Focus recently identified the perfect fits for every non-playoff team in the early and late-round.

Sitting with the No. 6 overall selection, Los Angeles will have plenty of the top prospects available when they’re on the clock. Given the huge need to address the offensive line, PFF has former Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas as the perfect fit for the early-round.

[Insert offensive tackle here] The name really doesn’t matter here, as it’s a very deep tackle class at the top. What matters is that they take advantage of it.

Thomas, the 6-foot-5 and 318 pounder has the athleticism and skill set to keep edge rushers at bay in pass protection. He has experience at both left and right tackle, possessing the talent to be a plug-and-play offensive tackle on either side for the Chargers.

Thomas will be a highly coveted prospect throughout the pre-draft process. If the Chargers wish to draft their quarterback of the future in the first-round, they will still have a great chance of landing an offensive tackle with starting upside in Round 2.

The perfect late-round fit for the Chargers that PFF identified is former Utah defensive tackle Leki Fotu.

Brandon Mebane has been a placeholder at the nose for a couple of years now. The 335-pound Fotu has the chance to be a real playmaker at the position after earning an 83.8 run-defense grade this past season.

Fotu, the 6-foot-5 and 325 pound defensive tackle has the speed, power, length, body control and mismatch ability to cause fits for NFL interior offensive linemen, where he would aid in the pass rush and run defense department.

Fotu would be a solid addition to a defensive line that still needs a boost, especially if they elect to move on from Mebane.

3 Chargers who could be surprise cuts this offseason

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out three players who could be surprise cuts this offseason.

General manager Tom Telesco and company are gearing up for what will be one of the most polarizing offseasons.

Aside from free agency and the 2020 NFL draft, the Chargers will need to decide what to do with their 15 expiring contracts. Among the group are notables like quarterback Philip Rivers, running back Melvin Gordon and tight end Hunter Henry, along with defensive end Joey Bosa who is due for a big payday.

Los Angeles’ $56.3 million in projected salary cap comes above the league average of $47 million. The front office will have to dish the majority of that available money to household names, but if they feel the need to make some signings in free agency they could elect to move on from some players that are under contract through the 2020 season.

With that, here are three Chargers who could be surprise cuts this offseason:

LB Denzel Perryman

The linebacker position was a focal point for Telesco heading into the 2019 season. One of the moves that he elected to do was bring back Perryman on a two-year deal. The former Miami product stayed relatively healthy and played well enough to remain on the team through next season, but Drue Tranquill’s emergence at the middle linebacker position has given the Chargers reason to believe that they could lean on the fourth-round selection to manage the full load moving forward. Should they move on from Perryman, Los Angeles would save $6.55 million in cap space.

C Mike Pouncey

One of the heart and souls on the offensive line and in the locker room, Pouncey didn’t have the season he was anticipating. In Week 5, Pouncey sustained a major neck injury that required surgery. The injury was so severe that there’s still a possibility that it could be career-ending. Pouncey recently appeared to be optimistic that he would be able to play, but it all depends on if the doctors clear him. If he isn’t cleared, then the Chargers will have to look elsewhere to fill the void at the center position. Scott Quessenberry would likely be the favorite when considering his strong play in the starting role this past season.

DT Brandon Mebane

Even though Mebane is coveted for his veteran and locker room presence, he didn’t flash as much as previous season and the Chargers showed that they could be set at the nose tackle position with two other players — Damion Square and Sylvester Williams, both who proved their worth this past season and could very well be re-signed. If the team elects to move on from the 34-year old, they would save $4.25 million in cap space.