The franchise tag deadline has passed. So we know that the following is accurate:
Yates was correct in Smith and Ford getting tagged. Collins was not tagged. The Patriots did not use their franchise tag as well. In doing so, there are now some big time players available in free agency. Let’s go over the four best fits for the Chargers.
DT Sheldon Richardson
Richardson can get after the QB. That’s exactly what the Chargers need. Richardson might cost a pretty penny, at 28 years old. In 2018 he made $8 million. He’s going to get more than that with the cap going up and having a productive season. Here’s what PFF said about Richardson:
Richardson recorded 18 run stops on 272 run-defense snaps, good for a run-stop percentage of 6.6%, ranking second among Vikings’ interior defensive linemen last season. Richardson also had 47 total pressures (30 hurries, 12 hits, five sacks) on 407 pass-rush snaps, giving him the 17th-best pass-rush productivity rating (6.4) among qualifiers. Still only 28 years old, the former first-round pick can be an impact player for plenty of teams in the NFL.
This was also thought to be one of his worst years. That tells you the type of impact player Richardson can be. He would be great in disrupting things up the middle. Richardson would be the best defensive tackle that can rush the passer the Chargers have had in a decade.
Anthony Barr has roots in southern California. The former Loyola High School graduate out of Los Angeles would be a perfect fit for the Chargers. The teams needs somebody that can tackle and blitz. These are two things Barr is excellent at. Barr was put into tough positions last year when it came to coverage. He’s better than what he’s shown. Even with that said, Jatavis Brown and Kyzir White are great in coverage. Let Barr rush the passer with Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, and Uchenna Nwosu. That’s a scary package right there.
Barr would bring much needed versatility to a linebacking group that is mostly one-dimensional. Barr should be one of the Chargers top targets.
Rodger Saffold is exactly what the Chargers need. You don’t have to waste a premium pick on a position that you just used two picks on two years ago. Saffold is an established veteran. He’s also very good at what he does. The Chargers struggled with speed last year. Defenders were able to overwhelm Dan Feeney with athleticism. That’s not an issue with Saffold.
Here is PFF’s take:
Saffold was a stalwart on one of the best offensive lines in the league this past season. He earned the third-best run-blocking grade among all guards in 2018 and could fit in any scheme you’ll find in the NFL. He won’t get a mega-deal as he turns 31 this offseason, but he’s nowhere near the end of his usefulness.
Moves like this will prove that the Chargers are truly going all in on Rivers.
Poaching from the Rams because why wouldn’t you. Lamarcus Joyner would be another defender that would make the Chargers better at multiple positions. It gets Jahleel Addae off the field. That alone is enough of a reason to sign Joyner, as Addae struggled mightily in 2018. The move also allows you to be more flexible with Derwin James and Desmond King. You can keep both around the line of scrimmage and leave Joyner deep.
Joyner will be 28 as well. His athleticism is far from fading and will improve the team speed. If that’s the goal as well as adding smart football players, they Chargers will make this move.
