Even though free agency is not necessarily over, the big ticket players are all gone. The Chargers made a few in-house moves and signed a pair of players before turning their full attention to the 2019 NFL draft, which is just weeks away.
While Los Angeles didn’t make any huge splashes throughout the first couple weeks of the new league year, the team still made some moves that will likely alter their game plan later this month.
Here are five takeaways from the Bolts’ free agency.
The patience to not sign an offensive lineman will pay off
One of the Chargers’ biggest needs is along the offensive line as guard Dan Feeney and tackle Sam Tevi both went through sophomore slumps. With many expecting the team to grab one like they have done in the past couple years, they elected to not snag one.
There are a couple assumptions that can made from them deciding not to dip into free agency. This year’s crop of free agent offensive linemen was relatively thin compared to recent offseasons. The big name options were gone in a matter of days, and were signed for big money, which is something Los Angeles does not have.
With the decision to standpat and not have the urgency to pick one up, the other teams that grabbed one likely lowered their needs to draft one. This means that chances are slightly higher for L.A. to grab a top-tier option when they’re on the clock at No. 28 or in the second round. It’s a deep class, so the decision was a wise one on general manager Tom Telesco’s end.
It wouldn’t be all that surprising to see them double dip, whether that be two offensive tackles or one guard and a tackle.
The interior defensive line is concerning
One of the bigger head-scratching moments in free agency was the decision to re-sign Brandon Mebane and let Darius Philon find a new home (Cardinals). Philon was arguably the best defensive tackle the past two seasons, and while Mebane provides veteran leadership, he wasn’t as productive and isn’t getting any younger.
At the moment, the Chargers have three defensive tackles on the active roster — Mebane, Justin Jones and T.Y. McGill. Like the free agent offensive linemen, it’s slim pickings when it comes to the interior defensive linemen. Though a top target, Ndamukong Suh remains unsigned, it’s unlikely they give him the paycheck he’s wanting.
Bringing back Corey Liuget or signing a cheap option like Timmy Jernigan or Rodney Gunter is not out of the picture, though. Fortunately, the defensive tackles in this year’s draft class are deep and they will have plenty of options to choose from.
Who will be the No. 1 free safety in 2019?
One of the more surprising moments came early on with the decision to release safety Jahleel Addae. Many didn’t think it would happen. Despite his poor play from this past season at the free safety role, the coaching staff vouched for him no matter what, making it unrealistic that he’d be gone.
The Chargers re-signed Jaylen Watkins, who didn’t play in 2018 due to a season-ending injury. At the moment, Watkins and Rayshawn Jenkins are penciled in as the starters, but it seems unlikely that they will be the only two on the roster when training camp begins.
There doesn’t appear to be prolific options, though some have suggested bringing back Tre Boston. Could Los Angeles go safety again in the first round? It’s not out of the picture, and a player like Chauncey Gardner-Johnson or Nasir Adderley will make it enticing.
Tom Telesco stuck to his word in regards to the linebacker position
Prior to free agency, general manager Tom Telesco was full aware that the linebacker position was thin by the end of the 2018 season because of season-ending injuries. Telesco made the point that the team was going to be aggressive when it came to addressing it.
The Chargers kicked things off with the re-signing of Denzel Perryman on a two-year deal. Though Perryman has struggled to stay on the field, they figured he is a difference-maker when healthy, so it was worth giving him one more chance.
Los Angeles’ first official came with former Panthers’ Thomas Davis. Davis, 36, was not only brought in to serve as a mentor for the younger players like Kyzir White, but he brings a championship under his belt. For a team that’s close to a Super Bowl, having the experience and high level of play is key.
It’s unlikely that L.A. will view the position as a priority heading into the draft, but it’s expected they look in the mid-rounds to solidify the group.
There’s sigh of relief at quarterback position
Quarterback Philip Rivers has continued to play at a high level, and his 2018 campaign was one of his best yet. But the depth behind Rivers has always been questionable for many years.
With Geno Smith an unrestricted free agent, the Chargers brought in another mobile, but proven quarterback to backup Rivers. Tyrod Taylor was signed to a two-year deal. Taylor and Cardale Jones will serve as his backups, for all that we know at the moment.
There’s been words swirling that Los Angeles has interest in trading for Cardinals’ Josh Rosen. Arizona has supposed interest in selecting Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall selection, which means that Rosen would be on his way out.
Whether L.A. is indeed interested or not, it’s unlikely that the team looks into this year’s draft class for Rivers’ successor. This is great news because the 2019 group is very thin and doesn’t possess many capable options that are worth taking a chance on.
