Los Angeles Chargers
Projected Cap Space: $55.2 million
Draft Picks: 11
- 1st (No. 22)
- 2nd (No. 55)
- 3rd (No. 86)
- 4th (No. 124)
- 5th (No. 159)
- 5th (No. 177, comp)
- 6th (No. 183, NE)
- 6th (No. 201)
- 6th (No. 215, comp)
- 7th (No. 220, CLE)
- 7th (No. 253, comp)
Notable Free Agents:
- OLB Khalil Mack
- RB J.K. Dobbins
- CB Kristian Fulton
- S Elijah Molden
- DT Poona Ford
- CB Asante Samuel Jr.
- WR Josh Palmer
- DT Teair Tart
- DT Morgan Fox
- C Bradley Bozeman
- TE Stone Smartt
- TE Hayden Hurst
- S Marcus Maye
- CB Eli Apple
- P JK Scott
Top Three Needs
1 – Edge Rusher
There’s a world in which the Chargers lose both starting edge rushers this offseason, as in addition to Mack being a pending free agent, veteran OLB Joey Bosa looms as a potential cut candidate. The Chargers could bring back both if they re-sign Mack and agree to a pay cut with Bosa but between the duo’s age and Bosa’s injury history, it would not be a bad idea for the Chargers to shake things up at least a little.
The Chargers do have OLB Tuli Tuipulotu who has been impressive as a No. 3 rusher and fill-in for Bosa. Veteran OLB Bud Dupree is still under contract and a quality rotation player as well. So any move the Chargers make here would be a big swing aimed at replacing either Mack or Bosa, or both if necessary.
2 – Wide Receiver
At this point it’s becoming equally legendary how Chargers second-round WR Ladd McConkey popped off for nearly 200 yards receiving in the playoff loss to the Texans as it is that the rest of Los Angeles’ receivers combined for just 16 yards. McConkey looks like a star but the Chargers need help around him. Palmer is set for free agency and the Chargers have a chance to add someone more dynamic to the receiving corps.
They’ll leave the light on for former first-round WR Quentin Johnston, who did make clear progress from an awful rookie season even if he didn’t completely shake the issues with dropped passes. He’s under contract for two more years. However, the Chargers will at minimum bring in some competition for Johnston in addition to a new starter to replace Palmer.
3 – Cornerback
The secondary was actually a surprising strength for the Chargers last year. Los Angeles was a top-ten pass defense due to the excellent debut from DC Jesse Minter, who helped scheme up a bounceback season for S Derwin James and maximized low-cost fliers on players like Fulton, Molden and mid-round rookies like Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still. Samuel missing most of the season with an injury didn’t even register as anything more than a blip.
It feels like things have run their course between the Chargers and Samuel but Fulton and Molden seem like more likely candidates to be back. Fulton played well overall but started to show more lapses in his game as the season went on. The Chargers could continue to add competition even if he re-signs, and if he doesn’t, cornerback becomes a more significant need.
One Big Question
Can the Chargers close the gap in the AFC?
It’s safe to say the first year in Los Angeles for Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh was a success. The team went from 5-12 to 11-6 and earned a playoff berth in a crowded AFC. The vision looked exactly like Harbaugh’s proponents thought it would, with a physical running game leading the way on offense and a strong defense keeping most games close. Los Angeles was even a little more dynamic in the passing game than some folks, myself included, were expecting, thanks to QB Justin Herbert and the breakout season from McConkey.
That said, it’s clear there’s still work to do. Though the Chargers were 11-6, they were 3-5 against teams with winning records and lost to other AFC playoff teams like the Chiefs (twice), Ravens, Steelers and the final setback against the Texans in the playoffs. There’s a gap between the Chargers and the top teams in the AFC and that’s apparent by the needs at premium positions listed above.
Still, Harbaugh has successfully raised the floor of the team and a quarterback as talented as Herbert should give the Chargers the ceiling of being an AFC contender. With tons of cap space and more draft picks than all but one or two other teams, the Chargers are poised for a massive offseason.
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