With the 2020 regular season behind us, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler presented his annual “NFL overhaul tiers,” where he writes about every non-playoff team in 2020 and what they need to do to improve in 2021.
Following a season that was riddled with injuries inconsistent play-calling, inconsistent performances — with the exceptions of quarterback Justin Herbert — the Chargers made the decision to part ways with coach Anthony Lynn.
The first thing that Fowler mentions is maximizing Herbert by giving him whatever he needs as far as offensive system with the new head coach, adding that the rookie already has elite play-makers around him.
Los Angeles has wide receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler. But, tight end Hunter Henry’s future with the team remains to be seen, considering he is a free agent.
Today, general manager Tom Telesco said that the offensive line needs a lot of work, which I concur with. Fowler noted that the line just needs at least one more piece.
Bryan Bulaga and Trai Turner have drawn durability concerns and starters Sam Tevi, Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney are all slated to hit free agency.
To build around Herbert, I laid out six offensive options that the Bolts could target in the first-round of the 2021 NFL draft.
On the other side of the ball, Fowler said that the defense isn’t as talented as it was two years ago, highlighting it being aging and needing reinforcements up front and in the secondary.
Notables like edge defender Melvin Ingram, cornerback Michael Davis, safety Rayshawn Jenkins and linebacker Denzel Perryman will be free agents. Meanwhile, the depth proved to be unreliable. The team needs more play-makers at all levels.
