The Chargers need more defensive playmakers who can elevate play on that side of the football, and Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson certainly fits that mold.
Jacksonville, who is in cap crunch, could move on from Gipson in order to relieve some cap space. But instead, they’ve been getting multiple trade interests, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Los Angeles would certainly be wise to be among the teams that have interested in Gipson, as the free safety position is weak as it stands heading into the offseason.
Jahleel Addae proved the inability to play the position after being moved there last offseason. The struggles were filled bad angles to the football, lack of range and numerous amounts of missed tackles.
Rayshawn Jenkins, the 2017 fourth round selection, hardly got an opportunity, but he is not suited for the role. Jaylen Watkins was re-signed, but has not proven himself of a starting job yet.
Gipson has been no slouch over the past three seasons. He has started all 48 regular-season games and totaled 159 tackles, six interceptions and 16 passes defensed from the free safety position.
Assuming the Chargers do elect to make some moves, they would have a spot for Gipson — the ideal fit at free safety to pair with Derwin James. Most importantly, the 28-year old would not likely cost them that much to land him either.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was in Jacksonville when the organization picked up Gipson in 2016, and was later named the FS right off the bat, so the familiarity is there.
