Remaining needs for the Chargers after 2020 NFL Draft

There are four positions that the Los Angeles Chargers could still look to address in free agency.

The 2020 NFL Draft is history.

In the draft, the Chargers addressed the quarterback, linebacker, running back, wide receiver and safety position, all of which were needs prior to the event.

However, Los Angeles still has remaining needs that they will have to consider filling prior to the 2020 season in order to avoid having holes on the roster.

Here are some of Bolts’ most glaring needs that they will have to figure out the rest of the offseason:

Left tackle

Finding a tackle to offer competition with Trey Pipkins on the left side was thought to be a priority for the Chargers going into the draft. But they came away empty-handed.

General manager Tom Telesco said there was an offensive lineman that was available at one of their draft picks but they went in a different direction. Telesco didn’t specify which round, but there was one on their radar.

Going into the season, Pipkins, Storm Norton, Sam Tevi and possibly Forrest Lamp are projected to compete for the starting job. But they could benefit from a veteran’s presence to protect Tyrod Taylor’s blindside, while giving Pipkins another year to develop.

Outside cornerback

Opposite of Casey Hayward is Michael Davis, who is projected to go into the season as the starter. However, Davis had his ups and downs last season, and struggled to stay on the field towards the end of the season due to an injury and suspension.

The other option is Brandon Facyson, who showed some promise as a starter, but he still has limited experience in that role. If the Chargers want to solidify an already talented secondary, they should look to add a proven player at the position, and it just so happens that there are a few remaining on the market.

Nose tackle depth

I thought the Chargers were going to use one of their Day 3 selections on a nose tackle like Leki Fotu or Benito Jones to backup Linval Joseph, but they didn’t address the position at all. Am I surprised? Not at all.

The reason being is because I could see Los Angeles re-signing Damion Square or Sylvester Williams, both of whom played a significant role last season in the middle of the defensive line. Or, there’s the possibility of them banking on former seventh-round selection Cortez Broughton’s development.

Interior offensive line depth

There are a few questions that have yet to be answered with the interior part of the offensive line.

Will Mike Pouncey be able to play this season? Can Dan Feeney be counted on as the starter moving forward? Is Forrest Lamp going to stay at guard or make the switch over to tackle?

With all of these questions in mind, it only leads to the desire to add more pieces, especially in case of injuries. Coach Anthony Lynn did say Trent Scott could kick inside from tackle, similar to what they did with Michael Schofield, which would help with some of possible holes.

Poll: Which players do Chargers fans want signed in free agency?

Who should the Los Angeles Chargers sign this offseason?

Free agency will begin in just less than a month with the new league year starting at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 18. Over the past week, we’ve been taking a look at potential options for the Chargers by listing one pending free agent from each team in every division.

AFC West

AFC East

Los Angeles has major needs at the quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver and cornerback position with linebacker and defensive tackle being the other secondary needs.

We’ve attached a poll below allowing our readers to vote on which player they believe L.A. should sign when the free agency signing period begins by using some of the players mentioned in our recent series, along with others that the media has linked to the Bolts.

With that being said, we want your opinion to be known. Who do you want on the Chargers? If the player you want is not listed in the poll, let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

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Poll: Which free agents should Chargers re-sign in 2020?

If you were the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers, who would you re-sign this offseason?

The Los Angeles Chargers have a ton of impending free agents when the new league year begins in March. It’s unclear how many of these players the team will be able to keep, but they will have to be selective during the process.

Even though they have the most salary cap available that they’ve had in years, they need to make sure that they have enough to bring in unrestricted free agents from other teams.

There are several of these players that will likely get attention on the open market because of their success in the blue and gold. Some are already being considered as top free agents by analysts.

Three Chargers’ players were listed in ESPN’s top-50 free agents in 2020: tight end Hunter Henry quarterback Philip Rivers and running back Melvin Gordon. There are other notables including guard Michael Schofield, safety Adrian Phillips, fullback Derek Watt and defensive tackle Damion Square.

If the decision was up to you, which free agents would you have the Chargers re-sign in 2020?

While our poll only lists seven, you can find the full list of Chargers free agents below.

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Trio of Chargers included in ESPN’s top-50 free agents list

The Los Angeles Chargers have three of the top-50 free agents heading into the offseason.

We still have a couple of months until the new league year begins in the middle of March, but everyone is already gearing up for what will be one of the most enticing offseasons for the Chargers in the last decade.

While there are a number of players from other teams that look like good bait to sign during the free agency period, Los Angeles will have a handful of in-house names that are intriguing other teams that they will have to decide on.

ESPN released their top-50 free agents to hit the market, and the Bolts had three players listed: tight end Hunter Henry, quarterback Philip Rivers and running back Melvin Gordon.

Checking in at No. 9 is Henry:

Henry returned to full strength after a torn ACL cost him the 2018 season, catching 55 passes for 652 yards — both career-highs. The dynamic role of tight ends in today’s offenses suggests he will be highly sought-after if he reaches the market. The Patriots, in particular, seem like an obvious team of interest.

Henry should be a priority for general manager Tom Telesco. Though he has been hindered by a couple knee injuries, he is a difference-maker in the passing game and he is arguably one of the better blockers on the team. It wouldn’t be surprising if Henry becomes the highest-paid tight end in the league.

Seven spots after Henry is Rivers at No. 16:

Rivers slipped in his 16th season, finishing No. 22 in QBR (48.9), and his teary Week 17 postgame press conference suggested he is ready and willing to move on. It’s not outlandish to think he could put a playoff-ready team over the top. Remember, Brett Favre was 39 when he signed with the Vikings in 2009.

All eyes are on the 38-year old during this period. Rivers is coming off one of his worst seasons yet, and it just so happened to occur on a contract year, giving the team some pause in regards to his future. While some of it falls on the offensive line carousel throughout the season, there were clear signs of regression in terms of his arm strength and decision-making.

Lastly, is Gordon, who checks in at No. 24:

The Chargers’ decision to stand firm during Gordon’s 2019 holdout, and Gordon’s career-low 612 rushing yards upon his return, seem to suggest a parting of ways this offseason. Gordon did manage to rush for eight touchdowns, and his total of 26 over the past three seasons ranks No. 6 in the NFL. His holdout reduced the mileage on his body, but at least some teams will view him as an aging running back whose best years have passed.

Gordon spent last offseason and a few games into the 2019 regular season holding out in hopes of receiving a new paycheck. That was never granted, so he decided to return to show his worth. He finished the season with 612 rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry) and nine total touchdowns.

It was an up-and-down year for the former Wisconsin product, but durability concerns still loom and the emergence of running backs Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson could justify the team’s decision to move on from him this offseason.

3 notable pending free agents Chargers should let walk

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out three players that might not be back with the Los Angeles Chargers next season.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco and company are gearing up for one of their biggest offseasons yet.

Los Angeles has 15 unrestricted free agents. The Chargers can sign them to an extension before the free agency period opens up in March. Or, they will be able to sign with any other team.

There are a few pending free agents that will likely have new homes when the 2020 season begins.

With that, here are three notable unrestricted free agents that the Chargers should let go:

LB Jatavis Brown

Brown was a bit of unknown this past season, as his playing time was nearly nonexistent, seeing the field for only 92 snaps at the linebacker position. Since shining in his rookie season, his production has taken a toll. Three lower body injuries have held Brown back dating back to 2017.

Brown was a bright spot when he was on the field, but durability concerns have been there and the team appears to prefer what they have in Thomas Davis, Denzel Perryman, Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White. Based on the snaps he was given in what was considered a prove-it season, it’s hard to imagine him being back.

WR Travis Benjamin

Benjamin was signed to a one-year extension last offseason. He was brought back because he has the veteran experience and was coveted for his speed and the ability to beat defenders over the top.

Expected to serve as the No. 3 wide receiver heading into the season, he was unable to fulfill that. Benjamin only managed to play in five games, in which he posted five catches for 30 yards before landing on the injured reserve.

After a decent 2017 campaign, he hasn’t been efficient at catching the football and he hasn’t improved when it comes to taking contact, which have been glaring issues over the course of the past few years.

RB Melvin Gordon

Gordon spent this past offseason pushing for a new, hefty contract, but was unable to get that fulfilled. He held out into the regular season, but came back four weeks into it knowing that it wouldn’t do him any good to remain off the field.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Gordon upon returning to the field, but he finally found his groove in Week 9. He finished the season with 612 rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry) and nine total touchdowns.

Even though Gordon has proven his worth the past few seasons, durability is still a concern since he’s had a slew of lower body injuries throughout his career. Plus, the emergence of Austin Ekeler and backup Justin Jackson has made Los Angeles’ backfield crowded.

How much cap space are Chargers expected to have in 2020?

The Los Angeles Chargers find themselves near the middle of the pack in cap space when the new league year begins in the middle of March.

The time to start preparing for the future is now.

After being near the bottom of the league in salary cap space last year, the Los Angeles Chargers find themselves near the middle of the pack when the new league year begins in the middle of March.

Even though the estimations aren’t exact because the league has yet to announce what the salary cap will be, the Chargers are expected to have a little over $53 million in salary cap space based on a $200 million cap. That ranks No. 14 in the league.

Despite possessing one of the more talented rosters, the Bolts have several needs to address this offseason. Upgrading the offensive line and adding to the wide receiver, cornerback and defensive tackle room is a must.

At the same time, a good chunk of that money will likely be used on a few key free agents of their own, including tight end Hunter Henry, safety Adrian Phillips, guard Michael Schofield among others.

The Chargers can’t begin negotiating with other free agents until March 16, which is officially the start date of the legal tampering period.

This will be one of the more enticing offseasons for Los Angeles. It wouldn’t be all that surprising if general manager Tom Telesco does some more wheeling and dealing this free agency period than he has ever done to bring in players that have proven their worth in the league already.

Ranking Chargers’ 15 unrestricted free agents by importance

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez ranks the Los Angeles Chargers’ 15 unrestricted free agents by importance.

The Los Angeles Chargers are in for one of their most intriguing offseasons yet. Slated to have 15 unrestricted free agents, they must decide who’s going to remain with the team when they move into their new stadium in 2020.

With that, we decided to do a ranking of what the Chargers’ top offseason priorities could look like, starting from the least enticing to the most polarizing options.

No. 15 — TE Lance Kendricks

Kendricks was brought in to serve as Virgil Green’s backup when Hunter Henry went down with a knee injury earlier this season. With Henry and Green back to their normal duties, it’s unlikely they bring back the veteran for another year.

No. 14 — C/G Ryan Groy

Groy, who was signed earlier this season to add depth to the offensive line, hasn’t been needed as Scott Quessenberry has served as the starting center. While the team will need offensive line help this offseason, they can likely look elsewhere to shore up the group.

No. 13 — LB Nick Dzubnar

Even though he hasn’t played much on the defensive side of the ball, Dzubnar has been kept by the Chargers because they covet his abilities on special teams. Rather than wasting a linebacker spot, they could look to find another option in next year’s draft to replace him.

No. 12 — WR Geremy Davis

Wide receiver depth will be an essential this offseason. But I can’t see Davis being in the team’s plans. Even though he has been a valuable blocker and special teamer, he hasn’t been productive in the passing game and an injury hampered him earlier this season.

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ESPN names best team fits for 3 Chargers in 2020

Philip Rivers and Melvin Gordon find new homes in 2020.

This offseason is going to be one of the most enticing ones that we’ve seen in years for the Chargers. With a handful of notables whose contracts are up, general manager Tom Telesco will have some tough decisions to make.

Among the crop of soon-to-be free agents is quarterback Philip Rivers, tight end Hunter Henry and running back Melvin Gordon.

ESPN’s Field Yates did an exercise where he played matchmaker for the top 25 free agents for 2020, pairing them with the best landing spot come March.

First up is Rivers. Yates believes that Los Angeles will not elect to re-sign the veteran quarterback and with him hitting the market, he believes Rivers would be a great fit for the Chicago Bears, who are currently on fence with Mitchell Trubisky after an underwhelming season.

If not for the strong play of Ryan Tannehill, the easy route would have been suggesting Rivers to the Titans, who play in his home state. Obviously a return to Los Angeles is in play here, but Rivers’ unsteady play this season has people at least wondering about his future. Chicago needs a quarterback fix and is in no position to draft one without a first-round pick. This would be a fun one.

The next one up is Henry. Though he’s been hampered with injuries throughout his career, he is a playmaker that L.A. needs in the passing game, and it’s unlikely that they would move on from him, which is why Yates has him staying put.

Henry is a legitimate, bona fide, no-doubt-about-it star when healthy. He has unfortunately dealt with multiple injuries early in his career but has returned strong this season and is one of the game’s top tight ends. The Chargers need to ensure he’s a part of their core to build around going forward.

Lastly is Gordon, who held out this past offseason with the desire to receive a pretty hefty paycheck, but the Chargers chose not to pay him anything more than $10 million annually. Yates believes that no matter how Gordon finishes the year, the team still isn’t going to dish the money to the 26-year old back.

Instead, an AFC West rival signs him to one-year deal to prove his worth and that he can stay healthy for the full slate.

Hear me out: The Chiefs have used a committee approach this season at running back with mixed results. I do not expect them to pony up substantial cash for a back this offseason, and I’m not convinced Gordon sees a robust market. Let’s envision a scenario where Gordon doesn’t fetch that long-term deal he desires and realizes a season in a high-octane offense to build his value back up makes sense for a payday in 2021. A modest one-year, prove-it deal? Sensible to me.

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