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 South.
Indianapolis Colts – OT Anthony Castonzo
Improving the trenches this offseason is an absolute must. Both tackle positions could be upgraded, not just the right tackle spot, because Russell Okung might be a cap casualty when considering his medical and injury history. If the Chargers were to let go of Okung, finding a proven left tackle sits atop of the to-do list.
Castonzo, 31, has manned the left tackle position for the Colts for years now, where he’s been the model of consistency and durability. Castonzo ranked seventh out of 101 qualifying tackles in 2019, per Pro Football Focus. After proving to be one of the more dominant tackles in the league, Castonzo could require a hefty paycheck, but it would be money well spent.
Colts Wire predicted his next contract could be for two years worth $35 million with $26.25 million guaranteed.
Tennessee Titans – OT Jack Conklin
With the Chargers have a major need at the right tackle position, Conklin would be an immediate upgrade over Sam Tevi. Conklin, the 25-year old tackle, became an All-Pro as a rookie, but tore his ACL during the 2018 playoffs.
He has allowed just 9.5 sacks in his four-year stint since being selected in the first-round of the 2016 NFL draft. In the 2019 regular season, he allowed two sacks, finishing with a streak of 11-straight games without one allowed. Spotrac has his estimated value at a six-year, $89 million deal.
Houston Texans – DT D.J. Reader
The Chargers have been steadily adding young talent to the interior part of the defensive line, but they need to look to find veteran Brandon Mebane’s replacement at the nose tackle spot since he isn’t likely to be on the team for much longer.
Reader, 26, has made an impact in the middle of the defensive line for the Texans since joining the team in 2016, where he’s been a force at rushing the quarterback and defending the run.
Reader set single-season career highs in tackles (52), tackles for loss (6), sacks (2.5) and quarterback hits (13) through 15 starts in 2019. Along with the eye-popping stat sheet, Reader graded out as the best among free agent interior defensive linemen last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Jacksonville Jaguars – LB Preston Brown
The Chargers made the point to address the linebacker position last offseason, hitting on fourth-round selection Drue Tranquill. But the unit is still far from perfect, and starters Thomas Davis and Denzel Perryman are set to become free agents after the 2020 season.
Brown is a high-collision linebacker that would mesh well with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s defense. He’s a balanced player who is equally effective against the pass and run, is still just 27 years old and he wouldn’t cost all that much.
Even though he’s struggled to find a home after spending four seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Brown still has plenty of juice left in the tank to put in a few good years with the Bolts. In six seasons, he has amassed 607 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 14 passes defensed and five interceptions.
