The Los Angeles Chargers boast a very strong roster and are definitely in the running for a deep playoff run in 2023, but the Chargers have one massive problem. If the Chargers want to go all the way to the Super Bowl, they must improve the offensive line depth just a bit more. With roster cuts and plenty of talent in the free-agent market, the Chargers should take advantage of cheap, talented, hungry players.
[cta id=4013 type=cta]
The Biggest Problem on the Chargers Roster – And How to Fix It
Offensive Tackle Depth
The Chargers biggest problem is swing offensive tackle. The starting duo of Rashawn Slater and Trey Pipkins is a very talented tandem with plenty of upside to become one of the best pairs in the league. Unfortunately, both have struggled to stay on the field, with Slater missing 14 games last season, and Pipkins missing three.
This problem has ached the Chargers for years and has always come back to bite them. Last year, it was the Foster Sarell experience, the year before it was Storm Norton, and the years before that was the amalgamation of Sam Tevi, the young Trey Pipkins, Trent Scott, Tyree St. Louis, and- I’ll stop before I give Charger fans any more not-so-fond memories.
Every year we see the Chargers quarterbacks fighting for their lives due to the poor offensive line health and depth. This goes beyond the passing game, as the rushing game will suffer greatly if one of your pieces can’t kick out an end, get to the second level, or even achieve good double teams on zone runs. Having poor offensive tackle depth on a team with a lengthy history of offensive tackle injuries is absurd.
Tom Telesco and the coaching staff would be smart to look at their current offensive tackle depth chart and look at the current free agent market.
Offensive Tackle Free Agents Available
The Young Guys
Greg Little – A former 2019 second-round selection out of Ole Miss, Little is 6′-5″ 310 lbs, at age 25, 26 in November. Little has only started 13 games in his four seasons (one missed completely due to injury) with Carolina and Miami. His performances were very uninspiring, as in his seven games with Miami he gave up four sacks, had three penalties, and a 34.6 PFF grade. However, the Chargers are looking for a swing tackle, someone better than the not-good Foster Sarell. The player doesn’t have to be otherworldly but needs to be competent if called upon.
Little has some upside, as he had impressive burst in college. The right coaching staff could turn him into an adequate player. Keep in mind his landing spots thus far in the NFL have been some of the worst teams for offensive linemen to develop in recent memory.
Chuma Edoga – Edoga is a very underrated fit for the Chargers. He fits the size profile that the Chargers have been targeting for their offensive linemen. That being shorter, stockier builds. Edoga stands in at 6’3 310. The former USC project was drafted in the third round in 2019 and has played both tackle positions and left guard, logging the most snaps (438) at right tackle.
In his short career, he has started 13 games and has an overall 56.2 PFF grade in his three years as an offensive tackle. In his one game as a guard last season, he earned a very good 77.8 PFF grade, with a staggering 84.9 run-block grade. The potential is still there with Edoga, as he was highly touted in college for his athletic ability, long arms, and ability to get to the second level with elite angles. Although Edoga’s 7.8 RAS score is very impressive, he still struggles with the lack of ability to pass protect, which led to his release from multiple teams.
Jamarco Jones – Jones would be a wild-card pickup for the Chargers. Will he solve the Chargers biggest problem? Likely not. Jones is likely a player the Chargers will stay away from due to his latest release. He was waived from the Titans due to the fights he had during training camp. But for the sake of possibility, Jones’ profile as a player is quite frankly, unimpressive. Jones recorded the lowest RAS score in 2018, which was a 0.52 grade. Beyond fighting and poor testing numbers, Jones also struggled with injury, missing the entirety of the 2022 season.
So why would the Chargers even consider Jones? Simply, it would be his versatility and solid numbers. The 6′-4″ 300-pound Ohio State graduate has seven started games under his belt, earning an overall 53.6 PFF grade for those performances. Beyond his average-at-best play, he has played four offensive line spots. He can play both guard or tackle spots, which is versatility the Chargers seem to really like.
The Veterans
Dennis Kelly – A personal favorite solution to the Chargers biggest problem. For years, fans have been venting on Twitter about getting Kelly in the building to block for Herbert. The former fifth-round selection from Purdue in 2012 stands in at a mauling 6′-8″ and 320 pounds. The 33-year-old has started in 54 games during his career, always being a very good run blocker, with strong hands and a good base. His ability to pass protect shouldn’t be forgotten either. He has only given up 16 sacks on 2,271 pass-blocking snaps.
Kelly brings a veteran tackle presence to a young tackle room, as well as very good depth. A cheap, proven veteran who can play either side as a tackle, that also has good numbers sounds like a very good idea.
Cedric Ogbuehi – The former first-round selection out of Texas A&M hasn’t quite panned out as a bonafide star as the Bengals once hoped. But at this stage in his career, he has shown to be a solid option as a reserve lineman. The 6′-5″ 305-pound lineman has started 35 games in his career, playing 901 snaps at left tackle and 1,198 at right tackle.
Ogbuehi is a very solid all-around tackle option, having experience in both spots, a solid run-block grade at 61.9 throughout his career, and a 59.9 pass-blocking grade throughout his tenure as an NFL tackle. If you’re simply looking for a better option than Foster Sarell, Ogbuehi will give you just that. A very sound, experienced, well-rounded, depth piece for the Chargers.
Jason Peters – A name that has been circling throughout Chargers Twitter is the elderly Jason Peters. Peters is a very experienced lineman with positional versatility and value as a veteran. Peters has mainly been a mainstay at left tackle but has dabbled as a guard and right tackle, with 455 snaps at right tackle, and 158 snaps at guard. The 41-year-old 6’4 330 tree stump, has plenty of accolades under his belt. To list a few: 9x Pro Bowler, 4x AP Second-Team All-Pro, 2x First-Team All-Pro, and 1x Come Back Player of the Year.
With all of those accomplishments, why is he unsigned? He is 41 years old, and if signed would be the oldest rostered NFL player. Obviously, he’s not what he was in his youth, so is there anything left in his tank? Despite his age, the Chargers should consider Peters, as a veteran presence in the tackle room would be beneficial, as well as his play even this late in his career is a significant upgrade over Foster Sarell.
Other Solutions
#1 – Versatility – Although this may be a bandaid solution, there are some in-house ideas to help the Chargers biggest problem. This would require support from a promising rookie. This bandaid would be to use the versatility of in-house interior linemen and have them move on to offensive tackle.
First of which, would be the usage of newly drafted guard, Jordan McFadden. McFadden has played tackle in college and was very good at it with his burst and ability to get to the second level. However, McFadden has a big issue; his complete lack of size which led to his fall to the fifth round, and a positional change to the interior. At 6’2 he is barely tall enough to play on the interior, let alone on the outside against players like Maxx Crosby.
The Chargers could go one of two ways in using McFadden: First to move him to offensive tackle, which he has played both sides for the Clemson Tigers. This would let the interior stay the same, keeping more cohesion, if one of the starting tackles were to go down with injury. The other option is the offensive line shuffling, which the Chargers usually stray away from in the middle of the season. This option would have McFadden play his expected position of guard, and then move Jamaree Salyer to offensive tackle, where he played sufficiently last year as a rookie.
Both options have their downsides, as you are relying on an undersized rookie fifth-round selection to start in spots that are either new to him or likely to be difficult for him at the next level. We saw this scenario last season with the injury to Slater, and the lack of performance from Storm Norton, leading to the movement of rookie guard Salyer being trusted to play left tackle. This led to the coaching staff believing in Salyer’s ability, and we have a steal in the sixth round playing on the interior for the next few years minimum.
#2 – Practice Squad – The Chargers currently have two offensive tackles on their practice squad, which is the very impressive Zack Bailey, who should have been rostered to the initial 53-man roster, and the not-so-good Austen Pleasants. Bailey showed his prowess both in the run and pass game, earning an overall 88.5 PFF grade for the 2023 preseason. As for Pleasants, he wasn’t very pleasant to watch. The 6’7 giant wasn’t completely awful but didn’t show too much during his preseason run. He earned a 63.8 overall grade for his efforts.
With the players introduced, the plan would be very simple. If Sarell continues to not show any promise, the team can elevate one of these linemen, and have them take over the spot. Optimistically, the Chargers could start the elevated lineman right away in the event of a serious injury. This solution once again isn’t great compared to simply signing a decent free agent. The Chargers biggest problem still may loom if this is the solution is the one of choice.
#3 Nothing – There is a chance the Chargers don’t do anything. The Chargers may very well just ride into the 2023 NFL season with the roster they curated, and hope that Pipkins and Slater don’t get injured. That would be great if both stayed healthy for the season, but it is unlikely. This “plan” seems to be let Sarell show the work he has done with offensive line guru Duke Manyweather, and see if he has improved enough to warrant the role he has been given.
Universal Responsible Gambling Disclaimer:
Ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
