The Chargers made a big move Saturday, releasing starting free safety Jahleel Addae. They saved $5 million in the process, but now have a hole at the position that they need to fill. The Bolts could go in a number of ways in their search for a replacement.
With that in mind, here are all of their options to fill the void at free safety this offseason.
Free Agency
With the release of Addae, the safety free agency pool only gets deeper. If general manager Tom Telesco is wanting to go that route to find his replacement, there will be plenty of options.
Given Telesco’s track record of signing free agents to deals that many people would consider to be steals, it’s unlikely that he leaves a huge offer on the table. This doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be able to find a high-end player, though. Fortunately, there are so many players available that the Chargers would be able to land a good one for a great price.
We recently made the case for Tashaun Gipson, who was released by the Jaguars Friday. Gipson is only 28, going on 29, and has proven himself as a well-rounded player who has a history playing under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley in 2016. Most importantly, Gipson would likely come as a cheap option, too.
Other reasonable options that they can strongly consider include Adrian Amos, Earl Thomas, Landon Collins, Tyrann Mathieu (who has gotten interest from wide receiver Keenan Allen), and HaHa Clinton-Dix.
The bottom line is that there will be plenty of options in free agency, the only question is how much Telesco is willing to spend when there are other positions of need that will have to be addressed.
NFL Draft
The Chargers enter 2019 with another opportunity to add youth to their safety ground. In 2017, they did with Rayshawn Jenkins, followed that up in 2018 with the selection of Derwin James and now a year later, they might not pass up the opportunity once again.
Prior to the release of Addae, there have been writers and draft analysts that have mocked a safety to Los Angeles in the first round. The player that has been commonly linked to the Bolts is former Delaware free safety Nasir Adderley, who checks off all the boxes in terms of range, physicality and competitive toughness at the position.
If the Chargers do decide to take a swing at another safety again with their first pick at No. 28 overall, former Alabama Deionte Thompson and Florida Chauncey Gardner-Johnson will likely be sitting there on the board still. Both players have showcased the abilities to man single-high responsibilities in the NFL.
Los Angeles could opt to sit back and wait to take one a round later or in the middle rounds, though. Fortunately, there are a few options that fit the mold that they are looking for. A few names that have stood out to me on tape include Virginia’s Juan Thornhill, Maryland’s Darnell Savage, Utah’s Marquise Blair and Colorado’s Evan Worthington.
In-House
The cheapest, yet most unlikely route that the Chargers could go is to promote Addae’s replacement within the organization. Aside from Derwin James, the only other two active safeties on the roster are Jaylen Watkins and Rayshawn Jenkins.
James and Phillips are certainly capable of playing the free safety position, but it’s doubtful that the Chargers will look to move them from their natural roles that they played in 2018.
James was a chess piece where he lined up all over the defense, which is where he’s suited best as to attack opposing offenses in a variety of ways. If Adrian Phillips is re-signed, he will likely serve as a dime linebacker, where he really shined this past season.
As far as Watkins and Jenkins, both players are unproven, but aren’t probable long-term starters for Los Angeles.
Watkins was re-signed after his 2018 season was short lived due to a season-ending injury that he suffered in the preseason. He was brought back due to his promising showing in limited action before his year came to an end.
Jenkins, the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft, saw some playing time in 2018, primarily in the playoffs. The former Miami product appeared to do well in his limited time on the field, but Jenkins is not suited best for the single-high role. Instead, he offers more upside playing in the box.
The bottom line is that while this would be the cheapest route, L.A. will unlikely go this route given the lack of talent and depth at the position outside of James and Phillips.
