Chargers could swipe a defensive stud from the rival Chiefs in free agency

It would be a bold move and a double win for the Chargers to snag one of the best defenders out of this year’s free agent class

Any chance you can get to get an upper hand over a divisional opponent as good as the Kansas City Chiefs while also improving your own roster has to be something you consider doing. With star safety Justin Reid possibly set to be a free agent in the coming weeks, the Chargers would be wise to take a long hard look at the rival defensive back and see if they could snag him away from the defending AFC champs.

While Reid has more or less played in a similar position as Derwin James with Kansas City, the modern NFL defense is more varied in how it uses its safeties. With James thriving at nickel when asked last year, it allows for a lot of variety should the team add Reid. Both Reid and James are interchangeable at both safety slots, and both play at such a high level that it is bound to create some serious disruption wherever they line up.

Conventional NFL wisdom likely says you don’t invest that much money into the same position, but given James really has no true position, and Reid can fulfill either safety spot at a high level, you present a layer of versatility on defense that is perfect for the modern NFL. Chargers’ defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could do some serious damage with both of those elite defensive backs on board and could allow the team to focus on an edge rusher or exterior corner come draft time. Yes, it is a bit of a luxury, but when a team is as close as to the big game as the Chargers are, one more elite player could be the difference in making that trip.