The Los Angeles Chargers are set to enter free agency with the most salary cap available since Tom Telesco took over as general manager in 2013.
Even though the franchise has some in-house players that will need to get paid, there’s a great chance that Telesco and company will be aggressive in signing other soon-to-be free agents to bolster an already talented roster, with the hopes of making a quick turnaround after finishing 5-11 in 2019.
With that being said, we are going to list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A. Next up is the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills – G Quinton Spain
The Chargers could be looking to find starters at both guard spots this offseason. Michael Schofield is a pending free agent. Forrest Lamp hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and Dan Feeney’s play has been a mixed bag of results.
Spain joined the Bills this past year after spending his first four seasons in the league with the Titans. He became a key piece of the Bills remodeled offensive line, playing every snap (1,063) while not allowing a sack during the entire 2019 regular season.
Spain signed with Buffalo on a one-year, “prove-it” deal, but after proving his worth, he will require a little bit more. A three-year deal worth $21 million would be reasonable to acquire the 28-year old.
New York Jets – WR Robby Anderson
The Chargers are missing one piece to the wide receiver room. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have proven themselves, but the guys behind them failed to step up as WR3.
The position should and most likely will be addressed in the draft since there is plenty of talent in this year’s class – but Anderson would give Los Angeles something that they were hoping to get out of Travis Benjamin – a fast, vertical threat that could keep defenses honest.
He’s never surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in a single season, but he is averaging 14.8 yards per reception.
Miami Dolphins – CB Aqib Talib
The Chargers are notorious for adding veterans. Last year, it was linebacker Thomas Davis. This year, someone like Talib would be able to not only add some more swagger and a leader to a young secondary, but supply a proven player at a position of need.
Talib, 35, isn’t at the same caliber that he once was in his prime years with the Buccaneers and Broncos, but there’s still some juice in the tank for at least one more season to put together a solid cornerback duo with him and Hayward.
New England Patriots – G Joe Thuney
Thuney, a former third-round selection out of North Carolina State in 2016, already has an impressive NFL resume after only four seasons in the league. He has two Super Bowl rings and now a second-team All-Pro nod after being voted in this past season.
The 27-year old has proven to not only be a well-rounded player, both in pass protection and in run blocking, but he’s been the model of durability, starting 64 career games.
Thuney could require a hefty price tag, but if Telesco wants to prioritize the offensive line then he will do whatever it takes to land one of the best lineman in the NFL.
