The Chargers’ list of needs will fluctuate between free agency, which kicks off next week and the NFL draft at the end of April.
With more money to spend than previous years, they will have enough to spend on big-name free agents. The draft will also offer several opportunities to add the talent to fill out the bigger holes on their roster.
With that, we find a draft prospect and free agent to fill each of Los Angeles’ biggest needs this offseason.
Nose tackle
Draft – Davon Hamilton, Ohio State
Hamilton, the 6-foot-3 and 320 pounder is a seasoned veteran who is a space-eater to dominate against the run, as well as someone that can get to the quarterback with a powerful punch and bullrush. In 54 career games where he started 17 of them, Hamilton amassed 66 tackles, 33 quarterback pressures, 21 tackles for loss and eight sacks, six of those coming in the 2019 season.
Free agency – Beau Allen
At 6-foot-2 and 333 pounds, Allen has the functional strength to occupy blocks, has a desirable mentality for the position, brings energy, plays hard and gives terrific pursuit effort. After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Eagles, Allen played the last two with the Bucs as a rotational defender where he amassed 40 tackles, four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits.
Cornerback
Draft – Bryce Hall, Virgina
Hall, the 6-foot-1 and 200 pound corner played both zone and man coverage in his four seasons for the Cavaliers. Despite missing six games in his senior season due to an ankle injury, Hall is a lengthy corner who displays eye discipline, spatial awareness and the physicality to stay in-sync with wide receivers, projecting as a No. 2 or 3 cornerback, best fitting into a zone scheme. In 42 games, Hall amassed 154 tackles, 38 passes defensed, five interceptions, 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Free agency – Trae Waynes
Waynes, 27, has tallied 42 passes defensed and seven total interceptions in 53 starts for the Vikings. Since he was drafted in 2015, he has produced a mixed bag of results in coverage, but his game has progressed every year. Waynes was also one of Minnesota’s top run defenders on the outside, amassing 247 tackles. Durability is another plus as he has started 44 of 48 games since he became a starter in 2017. The former Michigan State product would be the ideal compliment to Casey Hayward on the outside.
Wide receiver
Draft – Jalen Reagor, TCU
Reagor is one of the fastest receivers in this year’s class, and speed is something the Chargers are lacking at the wide receiver position. But it’s more than just his track-like speed that makes him so dangerous. While many receivers possess the trait, the former Horned Frog has the functional athleticism, burst and agility that makes him lethal after the catch. Given his blazing speed and elusiveness in the open field, he would be able to serve as a return specialist, too.
Free agency – Taylor Gabriel
Gabriel spent two seasons in Chicago after signing a four-year deal in 2018, catching 96 passes for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns over the two stints. His 2019 season was short-lived due to two concussions suffered during the year. If Gabriel stays healthy, he has the make-up to be a nice WR3 and much-needed vertical option for the Chargers where he wins with his natural speed and ease of movement to be a home run threat.
Offensive tackle
Draft – Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
Cleveland destroyed the NFL Scouting Combine, with an official 4.93-second 40-yard dash, a 30-inch vertical and a position-best 4.46-second short shuttle. Even though he needs to get stronger, his athleticism and loose movement skills allow him to stymie different types of rushers off the edge in pass protection, and his speed would be much-needed in space as the Chargers will now look to run the ball more in their soon-to-be zone scheme. Cleveland projects as a reliable left tackle at the next level.
Free agency – Bryan Bulaga
Bulaga is a proven right tackle that would give the line a much-needed boost on that side. In each of his full seasons since 2014, Bulaga has ranked among the 10 best right tackles in Pro Football Focus’ pass-blocking grade, with three ranking in the top three. The Chargers’ new offensive line coach James Campen came over from Green Bay where he coached Bulaga, so the familiarity could also help reel him in. The 30-year old is projecting to cost $12 million annually, but the investment could pay huge dividends for the next few years.
Quarterback
Draft – Justin Herbert
Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Utah State’s Jordan Love are worthy of making this list, but Herbert gets the nod because he checks off more of the boxes that the Chargers are looking for in their future signal-caller: Mobility, arm strength, production, great work ethic and character, as well as a high football IQ.
Herbert is scrutinized for having a quiet leadership style, but Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy called it a “false narrative” and said Herbert has “far more charisma than many NFL starters we’ve been around.”
The bottom line is while Herbert needs to improve his decision-making and his eye discipline, he has the physical tools that should be coveted. The former Oregon product would benefit from sitting behind Tyrod Taylor, and if the transition is smooth, Herbert could do wonders with the weapons on the offensive side of the ball and the likely new RPO-heavy system.
Free agency – Marcus Mariota
From one former Oregon product to another. Many were likely expecting Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater to be here, but I am not so sure that the Chargers are going to dish a hefty bag of money to a free agent when they have other pressing needs to fulfill.
If the team went away from Taylor or simply chose to go this route for added competition to the quarterback room, Mariota has some high upside. Mariota, 26, is mobile and a fit in today’s game. He has a playoff win on his resume too and could be a bridge for Los Angeles.
