The second day of the NFL’s legal tampering period saw a handful of top free agents end up on new teams Tuesday. The Chargers landed themselves a linebacker with Thomas Davis on a two-year deal worth $10.5 million.
Los Angeles made their second move on Wednesday with the signing of quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Now, with there still holes on the defensive side of the ball, L.A. could still strike with another signing. If the team does go that route, there is still plenty of talent left to be had, likely for better prices, too.
Here are five free agents that Los Angeles should pursue.
DT Ndamukong Suh
After not being brought back by the Rams, Suh remains as one of the hottest names on the market. Suh recently said that wherever he plays next, he wants to make sure that it’s on the west coast. This means that the 49ers, Seahawks and the Chargers are likely the suitors for him.
Suh, 31, may have a lost a step or two from his dominant playing days with the Lions and Dolphins, but he can still provide great play as we saw this past postseason. He tallied up 48 pressures this in 2018 while still racking up 887 snaps.
His current market value may be a bit high, sitting at $15.4 on a three-year deal, but Los Angeles might be able to reel him in on a slightly cheaper deal as he remains unsigned.
DT Timmy Jernigan
The Eagles declined Jernigan’s $13M team option, but it wasn’t surprising after he missed all but a few games last season due to a back injury. He tallied 15.5 sacks through his first four seasons with Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Known as a premier pass rusher, Jernigan had fewer than four sacks and ten quarterback hits just once in his first four seasons before his last year was cut short, and he’s steadily improved in run defense as his career has progressed.
When healthy, he still has the talent to be a force on the interior part of the defensive line and he provides great character. Jernigan, 26, is still young, which should garner interest as a free agent for the Chargers who are in need of players up front.
DT Danny Shelton
The Chargers could be seeking out a big run-stuffing nose tackle and there isn’t a better option than Danny Shelton, who stands out with his 6-foot-2 and 345 pound frame.
In his only season with the Patriots, Shelton played in 13 games and earned one start, while totaling 21 tackles, a tackle for a loss and a quarterback hit. Prior to landing with New England, Shelton was a key member of the Browns’ defensive line, totaling 128 tackles, 1.5 sacks, eleven tackles for a loss and seven quarterback hits.
Spotrac projects he’ll sign a three-year deal worth just under $17 million and averages out of $5.6 million per season, which seems to definitely be in Los Angeles’ range.
LB Zach Brown
The Chargers are bringing in Thomas Davis, but it doesn’t ensure that the linebacker position has been solidified. Brown, who was just released by the Redskins earlier today, is another candidate worth taking a look at.
Brown, 29, has been one of the more productive inside linebackers over the course of the past few seasons. He was listed as Pro Football Focus’ No. 3 overall inside linebackers this past season after recording 85 tackles (60 solo) with 1 sack, 1 pass defensed, and 2 forced fumbles last season.
With a few more years left in the tank, Los Angeles could likely land Brown on a $7-8 million deal, which would close out the position of need.
FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
The Chargers have seen a lot of top safeties go left and right to new teams, leaving very little options to choose from. Among the best available free safeties is Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Clinton-Dix has recorded 355 total tackles and 14 interceptions since being drafted in 2014, and is a player who has played well at the single-high role, but still has plenty of gas left in the tank, given his age (26).
According to Spotrac, Clinton-Dix’s average annual salary is $9.6 million, which is right around the ballpark to sign him to. He might be looking for a long-term deal, but given the fact that he was traded and didn’t perform up to standards, it may allow a 2 or 3-year deal to be in play.
