Tag: Chargers offseason

Ranking the Chargers’ offseason needs

Assessing the positions that Chargers general manager Tom Telesco needs to prioritize this offseason.

The Chargers are hard at work, identifying their strengths, weaknesses and areas of improvement.

As the team assesses its needs heading into the offseason, a top priority will be bringing in more talent this offseason, via the draft and free agency.

With that being said, I wanted to rank every position based on level of need for Los Angeles entering the offseason.

I’ll start from the bottom and work our way up.

9. Quarterback

Offensive Rookie of the Year, Justin Herbert. Enough said. In one season, Herbert proved himself as one of the league’s top signal-callers. Tyrod Taylor, who was supposed to be the starter before the accident in Week 2, will be a free agent. I believe Taylor will be on his way out and Easton Stick will serve as the backup next season. Either way, the Chargers are set for many years to come.

8. Safety

The Chargers have All-Pro safety Derwin James returning from an injury. His presence, alone, will be very vital in Brandon Staley’s defense. There’s some questions with the rest of the group. Will Rayshawn Jenkins be re-signed? Will Nasir Adderley have a bounce back season? Can Alohi Gilman play a role? If the answer is yes to all of these, L.A. will have a strong safety room.

7. Running back

Austin Ekeler has asserted himself as one of the league’s most dynamic backs. When healthy, Justin Jackson has been a solid complimentary piece. While Joshua Kelley had a down rookie season, I believe that he still presents high upside as a physical, downhill change of pace back for Ekeler. The team might benefit from another back, but primarily for the sake of depth.

6. Defensive tackle

Linval Joseph was one of the most impactful defenders that many people aren’t talking about from last season. Jerry Tillery flashed in spurts, but he still hasn’t lived up to his first-round status. Justin Jones made plays here and there, but wasn’t doing so on a consistent basis. The team could benefit from adding another explosive player and a depth piece behind Joseph.

5. Linebacker

Kenneth Murray, Kyzir White and Drue Tranquill all return as starters. That trio should do wonders in Staley’s defense. But Denzel Perryman, who is coming off his best season as a pro yet, is a free agent. I believe the Chargers should look to bring him back for another season. Perryman could likely garner enough interest elsewhere, though. Los Angeles might need another piece or two, especially for the sake of special teams competency.

4. Wide receiver

The Chargers did the right thing by paying Keenan Allen last offseason after proving himself as a top-10 wideout. Mike Williams’ future remains at large, but I believe Los Angeles will keep him to prove himself. Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson are ascending targets. After quiet seasons from Joe Reed and K.J. Hill, their contributions remain to be seen. Either way, Los Angeles will likely address the position in the draft.

3. Cornerback

Casey Hayward and Chris Harris Jr. are both coming off of injured seasons. They both could be cap casualties. Michael Davis, who was one of the best defenders last season, is set to be a free agent. If all of them return, they present a decent group. But it’s time to get younger at the position. The draft presents some solid options on Day 2.

2. Edge defender

In Staley’s defense, edge defenders are very important as they serve as outside linebackers. With Melvin Ingram slated to hit the free agency market, there’s not much else on the roster outside of Uchenna Nwosu. The Chargers would benefit from an external option like Leonard Floyd, but they should be looking to address it on the second day of the draft.

1. Offensive line

This has been the top spot for years now and I’m hoping that it isn’t when May rolls around. Sam Tevi, Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp are set to be free agents. Trai Turner is the No. 1 option to be a cap casualty after experiencing one of his worst seasons in 2020. Bryan Bulaga did fine, but he spent much of the year injured. Even if some of the guys mentioned are re-signed, the Chargers need surefire up front to protect Herbert. I’d like to see the Chargers come out of free agency with at least three or four new guys.

NFL free agency: Best fits for Chargers at each position of need in 2021

Gavino Borquez names the best fits at each position for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers enter this offseason with a decent-looking roster on paper, but there are still some areas that need to be solidified before the 2021 season begins.

With a healthy amount of salary cap space available, Los Angeles can address those in free agency. While it’s easy to want the biggest names on the market, it’s not that easy to land them.

With that being said, here are the best fits at each position of need based on players who fit the team’s scheme and culture.

2021 NFL draft: An offensive tackle for Chargers in each round

Here is a look at some of the offensive tackles the Chargers could consider in each round of the 2021 NFL draft.

The offensive tackle spot sits near the top in regards to positional groups that need to be addressed in the upcoming draft for the Chargers.

Luckily, this year’s crop has starting caliber talent from the first day of the draft all the way until Day 3.

With that being said, here’s a tackle from each round that could fit in Los Angeles:

Round 1 | Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

Darrisaw, the 6-foot-5 and 315 pounder, was a three-year starter with 34 starts in college, all of which came at left tackle. Allowing only six total pressures on 267 snaps in pass protection, he has good length, demonstrates good timing and quickness with his punches, and has plus grip strength.

In the run game is where Darrisaw is at his best, flashing good quickness moving forward. He shows solid ability to reach and has the athletic traits and movement skills when getting to the second level to pave the way for ball carriers.

Overall, Darrisaw projects as a strong NFL starter at left tackle with All-Pro upside.

Honorable Mention: Samuel Cosmi, Texas

Round 2 | Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State

Radunz only played in one game this past season, but he made 32 consecutive starts at left tackle to close out his collegiate career and the Bison went 32-0 in those games. He earned 79.1 and 87.2 pass-blocking grades in his 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively, per PFF.

While he needs to get better at finishing blocks, Radunz has the athleticism, range, foot quickness and run-blocking temperament needed to succeed in the NFL. While he develops more mass and add bulk to his frame, his skillset suggests a high ceiling.

Round 3 | James Hudson, Cincinnati

After not allowing a single sack and only giving up six total pressures on 358 pass-block snaps this past season, Hudson had still gone under the radar. However, he raised some eyebrows last month in Mobile, AL at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The former defensive lineman shows off lower body athleticism, a wide base, aggressive hands and competitive temperament to stay square to rushers in pass protection. In the run department, he shows the athletic ability when pulling and quickness to reach block.

Given the position transition, Hudson’s technique is still a work in progress and he could afford to add more mass and strength, but he has potential to be a high upside starter at tackle.

Honorable Mention: D’Ante Smith, East Carolina

Round 4 | Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa

After starting 32 of 33 games, Brown decided to sit out of his final season due to the delay until the spring because of COVID-19. He used that time to train with former NFL offensive tackle Joe Staley to help improve his game in preparation for the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Towering at 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds, Brown has the combination of size, length and athleticism to thrive in the NFL. The former tight end is a mirroring magician in pass protection with smooth feet, plus core strength aggressive hands and flexibility.

While Brown is a premiere pass protector, he needs to develop more power and improve the finer details to the position that will lead to more success in the run department. With some refinement, he could be a quality starter at the next level.

Honorable Mention: Brady Christensen, BYU

Round 5 | Adrian Ealy, Oklahoma

Starting all 11 games in 2020, Ealy earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors. Ealy allowed only three sacks on 421 pass blocks, per Pro Football Focus. In 2019, he also secured Second-Team All-Big 12 marks, starting all 12 games. He appeared in 28 games in three seasons, starting 23 of them.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and 324 pounds, Ealy has the size that NFL teams are looking for. He has great footwork and decent movement skills for his size and he is an aggressive player moving forward in the running game. Ealy needs to refine his pass blocking technique, but he has the necessary traits to be counted on.

Honorable Mention: Walker Little, Stanford

Round 6 | Dan Moore, Texas A&M

For the past three seasons, Moore served as Aggies’ starting left tackle, starting in 36-straight games. Moore was named a second-team All-SEC selection this season by the league’s coaches in 2020. He was a key piece of an offensive line that only allowed six sacks all season.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Moore has a guard frame with great length for the position. He is a decent athlete, showing foot quickness, lateral mobility and lower body power to generate movement. Moore’s hand usage needs work, but his skillset offers a solid developmental option.

Honorable Mention: Cole Van Linen, Wisconsin

Round 7 | Josh Ball, Marshall

Ball was a former four-star recruit and member of Florida State, but he was dismissed after some off-field issues. After joining the Thundering Herd, he didn’t start until the 2020 season, where he asserted himself as a promising hog molly.

Checking in at 6-foot-7 and 309 pounds, Ball isn’t that hard to miss on the football with his giant-sized body. He is a powerful tackle, showing strong hands at the point of attack. Ball shows decent athleticism and adequate length to make it difficult for pass rushers to get around him.

Ball projects as a swing option on both sides at the next level, as he doesn’t possess a significant strength nor an unfixable weaknesses. If his baggage checks out, he would be an intriguing developmental piece.

Honorable Mention: Carson Green, Texas A&M

What should Chargers do with WR Mike Williams?

Should the Chargers keep or let go of wide receiver Mike Williams?

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams isn’t slated to be a free agent this year, but that doesn’t mean he will be on the roster next season.

Los Angeles elected to pick up Williams’ 2021 fifth-year team option last May, meaning he is set to be due $15.7 million in 2021.

With the cap dropping due to COVID-19, Williams’ cap hit would be the 10th-highest cap hit for any receiver for 2021 — more than Vikings’ Adam Thielen, Bills’ Stefon Diggs and Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins.

Williams would then have the third-highest cap hit of any player on the roster next season, trailing only edge defender Joey Bosa and wide receiver Keenan Allen.

You can make a strong argument for that being too much money for a receiver who has not played like a top-10 receiver, failing to surpass 50 catches, has just seven touchdowns over the past two seasons and has dealt with a slew of injuries along the way.

The argument for keeping Williams is that he is well-liked as a person, he is one of the hardest workers on the team, showing the ability to play through the injuries and there aren’t many receivers that possess the athletic profile that he does at his size.

The Chargers will have some options.

L.A. could sign Williams to an extension that is more in line with his production, given the team’s healthy cap situation, or they could rescind the fifth-year option or possibly trade him and look for a No. 2 receiver in the draft or via free agency.

Los Angeles has until the start of the league year in March to finalize their decision.

2021 NFL offseason: Important dates for Chargers

Here are some important dates to keep in mind over the next few months.

With the conclusion of Super Bowl LV, the offseason is in full swing.

The Los Angeles Chargers begin their roster-building process in hopes of getting them to Super LVI under new head coach Brandon Staley.

It’s important to keep up with some of the dates throughout the next few months that have value.

Here’s a glance:

Feb. 25: First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition players. March 9 is the last day that players can be franchise tag by their club.

Mar. 15: First day for clubs to begin negotiating with free agents.

Mar. 17: Clubs may begin signing free agents. The new league year officially begins.

Apr. 5: Offseason workout programs begin.

Apr. 29: The 2021 NFL draft begins and it will run through May 1.

4 potential Chargers cap casualties this offseason

The Los Angeles Chargers have plenty of cap space in 2021 but they can still make room for more.

The Chargers are sitting pretty in salary cap space available heading into the offseason. However, if the team sees some opportunities to land a few big-name free agents while re-signing a few of their own, they would likely need to free up some money.

To do that, Los Angeles would need to deal some players that are still under contract. With that being said, here are four players that they could consider releasing as they head into the offseason.

G Trai Turner

After being acquired in a trade that involved tackle Russell Okung, the thought was that Turner was going to be an immediate upgrade at the right guard spot. However, the five-time Pro Bowler failed to live up to expectations. Turner missed seven games and when he was on the field, his play was lackluster. While he could turn things around next season, Los Angeles might be better off finding his replacement elsewhere based on the previous results. If the Chargers released him before June 1, they would save $11.5 million in cap savings.

CB Casey Hayward

Hayward was touted as one the team’s best defenders heading into the season after consistently performing at a high level the past few seasons. However, Hayward wasn’t one that was able to be relied on every Sunday. This past season, Hayward allowed 36 catches on 75 targets for 610 yards (16.9 yards per reception). A reason for the decline in his play could be the various injuries he sustained throughout the year and sporadic scheme changes. If the Chargers were to release him, they would save $9.75 million.

CB Chris Harris, Jr.

Like Turner and Hayward, Harris was hampered by a severe injury that kept him out a total of seven games. When he was on the field, Harris allowed 27 receptions on 38 targets (71.1 completion percentage) for 394 yards. There’s a good chance that the reasoning for his underwhelming season had to do with the injury and the team could be banking on a bounce-back season, especially under coach Brandon Staley and defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill, both of whom he’s familiar with. If the Bolts did cut Harris, they would save $7.5 million.

WR Mike Williams

Williams has a $15.68 million cap hit on his fifth-year option. Considering the former No. 7 overall pick has flashed but has never reached his full potential, the Chargers may consider looking elsewhere to fill the No. 2 spot behind Keenan Allen. General manager Tom Telesco could restructure his contract. But given their amount of cap space, Los Angeles may be willing to keep Williams at that price to further quarterback Justin Herbert’s candidates.

CB Chris Harris Jr. ‘excited’ to see what HC Brandon Staley can do with Chargers

Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. will be a key piece for Brandon Staley.

This won’t be the first time that cornerback Chris Harris Jr. has been on the same team as Chargers new head coach Brandon Staley.

Harris spent nine seasons with the Broncos, which included one with Staley (2019), who was then Denver’s outside linebackers coach.

Harris knew the potential was there with Staley to rise up the coaching rankings. After his lone stint with the Broncos, Harris saw him become the Rams’ defensive coordinator the year after.

“I knew that he could be a D-coordinator,” Harris said. “I knew that he should be a D-coordinator. But just to see how fast he’s skyrocketed, I mean, that’s pretty amazing.”

Harris praised Staley’s knowledge of the game and how well he does with building buy-in with his players, calling him a “great fit.”

“I’m so happy, so excited for him,” Harris said. “He’s a guy who’s very smart, knows the game of football. He took it to another level this year with the Rams. I’m excited to see what he can do with us.”

Harris and Staley have already started discussing the details of their new defense. For the past few years, the Chargers have ran a 4-3, but Staley is known for running a 3-4 scheme.

Staley not only guided the Rams to being the NFL’s No. 1 defense, he was able to get the most out of players that weren’t household names.

“They have a lot of talent over there,” Harris said. “You know what you’re going to get out of [Jalen] Ramsey and [Aaron] Donald. But you have a lot of no-name players, guys that you’ve never even heard of, who made a lot of plays on that team too.”

Staley is slated to talk to the media on Thursday, marking the first time he’s done so since accepting the head coaching job.

6 pivotal questions heading into the Chargers offseason

The Chargers need to nail the offseason in order to get back to their winning ways.

A week after the regular season came to an end, the Chargers are already hard at work preparing for how their team might look during the 2021 season.

Here are six of the top questions surrounding Los Angeles entering the offseason:

1. Who will be the head coach?

The Chargers and Anthony Lynn ended a four-year marriage after the second consecutive season of underwhelming results. The inconsistent play-calling and game management was the reason that Lynn got the boot, and Los Angeles making sure there isn’t a repeat of that.

Los Angeles is not only looking for someone to maximize rookie sensation Justin Herbert’s potential, but someone who can oversee the team, not just one side of the ball or the other. Along with that, someone who is quick to make changes when an area is not going as planned, such as special teams.

The current favorite to get the job is Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, given his success with QB Josh Allen and the close ties he has to general manager Tom Telesco. There are plenty of other intriguing options that could get the job, too, including 49ers’ Robert Saleh, Colts’ Matt Eberflus and Titans’ Arthur Smith.

Then comes the rest of the staff. Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is still under contract. Whoever is hired, will they elect to keep Steichen as the offensive coordinator, given his success with quarterback Justin Herbert. Maybe they promote quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton? Or, will they bring in someone from another team?

2. Who will be re-signed?

Like last offseason, the Chargers will have a slew of starters whose contracts are up. The crop includes tight end Hunter Henry, cornerback Michael Davis, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, edge defender Melvin Ingram, linebacker Denzel Perryman, center Dan Feeney, guard Forrest Lamp and tackle Sam Tevi.

Out of the bunch, I expect Telesco to look to re-sign Henry, Davis, Jenkins, Feeney and Perryman. Henry has been a key contributor in the passing and run game. At only 26, his best years are still ahead of him. Davis and Jenkins were arguably the two best players in the secondary. While inconsistent, Feeney has been durable as can be. Perryman played one of his best seasons.

Ingram is one of the more notables, but I believe the injuries and lack of production (zero sacks and four QB hits) in a contract year hindered his chances of getting an extension. Plus, the team may believe that Uchenna Nwosu is capable of taking the starting role.

3. How will the offensive line be re-shaped?

Last offseason, it appeared that the Chargers hit a home run with the acquisitions of tackle Bryan Bulaga and guard Trai Turner. However, it didn’t pay off during the regular season, as the two only managed to play 10 and nine games, respectively, due to injuries.

As for the rest of the line, Tevi was arguably the most consistent. While he managed to play every game, Lamp had his struggles, particularly in pass protection. Feeney’s play was up and down. OT Trey Pipkins didn’t improve much from last season. Storm Norton impressed in his limited action.

All in all, the line needs some remodeling. Los Angeles could draft a starting left tackle in the first two rounds and depth with another pick or two. With roughly $23 million in cap space, they could find a starting left guard in free agency and use of that money to find a reliable depth piece for cheap.

At his end-of-season press conference, Telesco says there is a lot of improvements that needs to happen with the offensive line. He has struggled to build a competent offensive line since the start of his tenure. Can he finally do it this year?

4. How will the draft be attacked?

The Chargers have two additional draft picks, one third-round compensatory from the Colts acquisition of QB Philip Rivers and a sixth-round via the Titans (cornerback Desmond King trade).

With nine picks, this could be a make or break draft for Telesco. He is tasked with finding at least two offensive lineman, a potential replacement for Ingram, a starting caliber cornerback, another weapon or two for Herbert and depth players that can be special teams aces from Day 1.

5. Will any players be cut?

Telesco has seen players walk in free agency that eventually find success elsewhere, but he hasn’t been notorious for cutting those who are still under contract. Could that change this year? Two players come to mind: Turner, cornerback Casey Hayward.

Turner only saw the field nine times this past season. They would save $11.5 million in cap space with no dead money if they cut him. Hayward’s play was disappointing, too. The team would save $9.75 million in cap space with a $2 million dead-money charge this offseason if they cut Hayward.

6. What will the defense look like?

With Lynn gone, that likely means that defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will be finding a new home, too. The past four years under Bradley, the Chargers ran a heavy Cover 3 scheme that was fixed on zone coverages.

Whoever the new head coach brings in as the new defensive coordinator is and the system they implement will be enticing. Should they stick with a similar scheme or shift to a different one, maybe a more pressure oriented defense that is multiple?

This will all have an impact on the players that they’re looking to target in free agency and the draft. Before, it was easy to diagnose if they were a fit. But with no set defensive coordinator, we don’t know what kind of players and prospects fit the bill.

PFF: Chargers predicted to sign four players of top 100 free agents

The Chargers are predicted to re-sign one of their own and three offensive players.

For the most, Chargers already have a talented roster in place, but there are certain positions that could be cleaned up.

Therefore, general manager Tom Telesco will likely dip into the free agency pool to address them, like he did last offseason when he signed four notable players to contracts. Telesco could have plenty of intriguing options to choose from.

Pro Football Focus released their annual list of the league’s top 100 free agents, where they gave a brief summary of each player and who they predict them to sign with this offseason.

PFF connected Los Angeles with four players. The first one is one of their own, tight end Hunter Henry.

He is a productive and capable tight end with plenty of tools to be an excellent receiver in any offense. Henry has the size to box defenders out underneath, the savvy to find holes in a defense and enough route-running skills to separate over the middle.

The next one listed is Packers center Corey Linsley. With Dan Feeney slated to hit the market and Mike Pouncey’s career up in the air due to injury concerns, L.A. could afford to revamp the position with one of the league’s best.

Linsley has been outstanding in pass protection this season, allowing just four pressures on 437 pass-blocking attempts in 2020. He is also a strong run-blocker, ranking in the 84th percentile in the percentage of positively graded blocks and the 85th percentile when it comes to avoiding negatives.

The Bolts address the offensive line, specifically the left tackle position, with another veteran in Steelers’ Alejandro Villenueva. Sam Tevi’s contract is up and there’s a chance that the team could let him walk, despite him performing well as a blindside blocker.

There’s immense value in solid, mid-tier offensive linemen, and that’s exactly what Villanueva has been throughout his career. He’s graded between 74.0 and 82.0 in each of his last five seasons; he ranks in the 54th percentile in PFF pass-blocking grade and the 46th percentile in pass-blocking grade on true pass sets during that time.

Finally, PFF predicted Los Angeles to sign Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett to serve as the backup to Justin Herbert. Tyrod Taylor will be a free agent and might find an opportunity elsewhere. There’s the possibility of letting Easton Stick fill the role. They have been grooming him to be their backup since they drafted him in the fifth round in 2019.

Brissett has PFF grades of 62.4 in 2017 and 59.2 in 2019 as a starter, showing that he’s likely a high-end backup. Stylistically, Brissett has landed more on the game manager end of the spectrum, taking good care of the ball but also having a low percentage of big-time throws. When adding some rushing value to the mix, it’s clear that Brissett can be called upon to win a few games, but he hasn’t looked like a quarterback who is capable of carrying a team.

Two other Chargers are mentioned and PFF sees them signing elsewhere. Edge defender Melvin Ingram is predicted to sign with the Lions while linebacker Denzel Perryman is pegged to the Packers.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler breaks down Chargers’ draft targets, sleepers

Find out some potential targets for the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2021 NFL draft.

With the 2020 regular season behind us, figuring out how the Chargers can build their roster this offseason to get back to their winning ways is the main priority.

A big part of the roster-building process is the NFL draft. I’ve been hard at work watching film and doing scouting reports on these prospects, which will eventually start rolling out soon.

To get ahead, I reached out to draft expert Dane Brugler of The Athletic to get his thoughts on what Los Angeles might do come April.

What’s the best-case scenario for the Chargers if they stay at No. 13?

Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater.

I’m focusing on four positions for the Chargers in this draft: offensive tackle, guard, defensive end and cornerback. Of those four, which is the deepest in this draft class and which is the weakest?

Tackle and edge defender look like the deepest of those four positions. Both positions extend into Day 2 and even Day 3. Cornerback is close, as well, making guard the weakest of those four, especially with Kentucky’s Darian Kinnard returning to school.

If the Chargers don’t select a pass rusher in the first two rounds, they could be looking for one in the middle of the draft. What are some possible options that could end up being double-digit sack guys down the road?

I don’t know about double-digit sacks guys, but Pitt’s Rashad Weaver is really intriguing, especially if he’s still around in the third round. Houston’s Payton Turner has a relentless motor. Notre Dame’s Daelin Hayes has yet to play his best football.

The same thing but for offensive tackles?

Northern Iowa’s Spencer Brown is very raw and I worry about the power, but he is still developing and could end up being a steal. Cincinnati’s James Hudson is a former defensive lineman with minimal experience, but he plays with outstanding balance, light feet and strong hands. And then Marshall’s Josh Ball, who is a Florida State transfer, is another interesting value. Wish he were better in the run game, but he has pass pro skills.

Who are some late-round cornerbacks that could contribute right away?

Arizona State’s Jack Jones comes with character flags, which is why he will still be available in the late rounds, but his toughness and athleticism are NFL-ready. California’s Cam Bynum doesn’t have NFL speed or twitch, but he is smart, tough, and doesn’t make mental mistakes, which could get him on the field early.

With the Senior Bowl coming up, who are some players to watch for Los Angeles?

Oklahoma State OT Teven Jenkins, Notre Dame OT Liam Eichenberg, Michigan CB Ambry Thomas and Oregon State EDGE Hamilcar Rashed. Four talented players in the top-3 round mix who could be fits for the Chargers.