An eventful day for the entire world was not very eventful for the Los Angeles Chargers. While looking deep into the NFL trade market, with them being connected to plenty of big names like Marshon Lattimore and KJ Osborne, General Manager Joe Hortiz opted not to add anyone through trades.
However, this does not stop the Chargers from adding talent to their roster through roster cuts and free agency.
Reclamation Project – Andrew Booth Jr
Andrew Booth Jr. was once looked at as a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft but ended up falling due to knee issues and short arm length. The Vikings ended his slide and picked him up in hopes he would become a strong starter for their weak secondary.
Andrew Booth Jr is a great athlete with amazing ball skills. His body control on some of his interceptions is different! pic.twitter.com/gXe1iQ4b4m
— Full-Time Dame
(@DP_NFL) December 10, 2021
Two years into his Vikings career, he only played 156 snaps, showing some promise during his time. However, his health became a real issue, and he missed too much time for the Vikings to hold onto him.
The Dallas Cowboys traded for the former 42nd overall pick in August of 2024. Fast forward a few months, Booth finds himself released from the team, looking to live up to the potential he once had in college.
The Chargers have shown the ability to take day three cornerbacks and turn them into extremely impressive contributors to the league’s best defense. Imagine what they could do with a former first-round talent at cornerback.
If health is on the side of the former Clemson cornerback, coupled with the coaching of Jesse Minter, the Chargers could add an intriguing free agent improve their defense for the cost of the league minimum.
Veteran Depth – Quinton Jefferson
The long time journey man Quinton Jefferson has been a strong interior defensive linemen since his drafting in 2016. The 31-year-old has been playing a strong role on the Cleveland Browns deep defensive line, however, his time was up, and he was released today, November 5th.
The lack of playing time has stemmed for weeks, as Jefferson has been a healthy scratch the last four weeks.
Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz explains Jefferson’s lack of playing time.
“…it’s really just a numbers game,” said Schwartz. “You got four guys active, Shelby, Dalvin, Mo’s been playing well, and Mike’s given us a spark, too and Mike has rushed the passer. There’s going to come a time when Q’s (Quinton Jefferson) going to be out there, and he’ll be ready. He’s a veteran player and he did a nice job for us early in the season.”
Obviously, Jefferson did not get his chance to play again. He is now a free agent.
The Chargers may have the number one defense in the NFL, but adding talent never hurts. With a strong group of Teair Tart, Poona Ford, Morgan Fox, and Otito Ogbonnia you boast immense run-stop potential, but are lacking a true interior pass rusher outside of Fox.
Insert the ideal Chargers free agent Jefferson, a player with 36 career sacks (according to PFF) who can add to the pass rush depth of this team. He will also be quite fresh, considering he will be going on five weeks without playing a snap.
Quinton Jefferson sack. Jets blitz Mosley and also send Quincy delayed to get 6 vs 5. Jefferson wins his isolated matchup with a long arm power rush and sheds to make the play. pic.twitter.com/HeFLwVoABI
— Dan (@JetsAndJollof) September 13, 2023
A veteran leader who can help assert himself and guide this young team to its playoff run. Jefferson has 8 playoff games under his belt, boasting valuable experience.
Main Photo Courtesy of Scott Galvin – Imagn Images
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