Projected to have over $60 million in salary cap space, the sixth-most in the league, the Chargers will have plenty to spend on external free agents this offseason to revamp the roster.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen listed the best fit for each of his top 50 free agents in this year’s class and the Bolts were picked for two players. Bowen sees defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and center Ryan Kelly as targets.
With Poona Ford and Teair Tartt both pending free agents, the defensive tackle room must be shored up. Ford and Tartt should be highly prioritized to be re-signed. But the middle of the defensive line would benefit from pass-rush juice, which Odighizuwa would bring to the table.
An impact defender who can bring energy to the defensive line, Odighizuwa fits in the Chargers’ base 3-4 under front and could provide pass-rush upside in nickel/dime sets. Odighizuwa had 4.5 sacks last season, and his 30 pressures were tied with the Jets’ Quinnen Williams for the second most among defensive tackles.
Bradley Bozeman is set to hit the free agency market, leaving a hole at center. Kelly is one of the best centers in pass protection, something Bozeman struggled with this past season.
Jim Harbaugh’s club needs more out of its centers, and Kelly plays with a physical demeanor that could fit the Chargers’ run game. An on-the-field leader with excellent football awareness, Kelly had a pass block win rate of 95.9% (sixth best among centers) and didn’t allow a sack last season. So he can help secure the pocket for quarterback Justin Herbert, too.