{"id":108937,"date":"2021-03-27T21:41:01","date_gmt":"2021-03-28T01:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=108937"},"modified":"2021-03-27T21:42:56","modified_gmt":"2021-03-28T01:42:56","slug":"los-angeles-chargers-free-agency-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/03\/27\/los-angeles-chargers-free-agency-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Remaining Los Angeles Chargers Free Agency Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s now been nearly two weeks since the legal tampering period of free agency started \u2013 which was also when the news rush started. The second week was much calmer in that regard, but teams were still making moves. That made it a little perplexing when the Los Angeles Chargers <\/a>only made two new signings in free agency this week (outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell and backup quarterback Chase Daniel) when there was more than one position that needed addressing sooner rather than later. While the issue of edge-rushing linebackers might now be more or less solved by adding Fackrell (don\u2019t forget, Uchenna Nwosu\u2019s there too), there are still a few other positions with big holes right now. Perhaps Tom Telesco intends to address them in the NFL Draft, but if you don\u2019t get the guy you want, that can be a bit of a gamble. Regardless, here are the top few positions that still need addressing at some point this off-season for the Chargers.<\/p>\n

Top Remaining Los Angeles Chargers Free Agency Priorities<\/h2>\n

Left Tackle<\/h3>\n

This one is significant enough that one could practically write an essay on how huge of a problem this is while it remains unsolved \u2013 and it\u2019s the most perplexing one of all in that it hasn\u2019t been addressed already. The position was terrible last year, and while the main starter Sam Tevi has departed, he hasn\u2019t been replaced yet. Trey Pipkins remains on the roster, and at one time he looked somewhat promising \u2013 but it\u2019s a little alarming that he couldn\u2019t beat out Tevi for the job.<\/p>\n

Alejandro Villanueva<\/a>, a long-time Pittsburgh Steelers <\/a>player, is still available. There\u2019s the connection of having former Steelers offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett on the staff, which already helped bring Matt Feiler to the Chargers. But there\u2019s also Jason Peters<\/a> or the recently-released Eric Fisher<\/a>. And sure, in theory, they could wait until the Draft and take a tackle at the 13th<\/sup> overall spot. And while that might work out fine, it would seem to be better to grab a veteran if they can on a one-year deal, at least as an insurance policy. Again, the fact that Pipkins couldn\u2019t beat out Sam Tevi for the left tackle spot last year should be quite worrying.<\/p>\n

The Chargers have done a good job so far of fixing up the line. They\u2019ve got Corey Linsley at center, Matt Feiler at (probably) left guard, and the returning Bryan Bulaga at right tackle. Right guard at least doesn\u2019t look abysmal at the moment. Now protecting Justin Herbert\u2019s blindside should be the priority above all else.<\/p>\n

Free Safety<\/h3>\n

Rayshawn Jenkins was one of the more unfortunate losses of free agency, as he\u2019s been one of the only safeties on the entire roster the last couple of years that could dependably stay healthy. That\u2019s something else that needs to be addressed, given that their only other option at free safety right now is Nasir Adderley, who struggled rather heavily last year. Sure, maybe Brandon Staley could fix him, but at the very least, there needs to be more depth beyond him.<\/p>\n

This is something where they could conceivably wait until the Draft, but it\u2019d be better to go ahead and sign somebody now since they already have a young player they still presumably have some hope for. Some options there could include Tashaun Gipson<\/a> or bringing back Tre Boston<\/a>. Malik Hooker<\/a> is also available, though he is coming off an Achilles injury. The pickings are admittedly getting slim here, but it seems that it\u2019d still be better to bring in a veteran (again, on a one-year deal) at least for some depth and\/or competition. Let\u2019s not forget, on the opposite end at strong safety, Derwin James has only played five games in the last two years \u2013 if he gets hurt again, they may need the veteran depth.<\/p>\n

Extra Cornerback<\/h3>\n

The Chargers have their top two pieces at cornerback pretty well set with Chris Harris and Michael Davis, but the bar drops pretty heavily after that. Their next best options currently are Brandon Facyson and Tevaughn Campbell. There are a couple of other names on the roster, but they may not make it to the 2021 Week 1 roster. Brandon Staley likes to use defensive backs quite a bit in his sets \u2013 plus, it\u2019s not clear if Harris will be playing outside or slot\/nickel again \u2013 so at least one, probably two more cornerbacks may need to be added to the roster.<\/p>\n

The Chargers could pretty easily draft one, but depending on where that happens, that rookie may still be mostly just a depth piece. There aren\u2019t a lot of free agent cornerbacks left either, but options like Bashaud Breeland<\/a> or Steven Nelson<\/a> or even a veteran like Richard Sherman<\/a> are available, depending on what they\u2019re looking for. This is another situation where having more known depth in addition to having a rookie could be beneficial.<\/p>\n

Last Word on Chargers Free Agency<\/h3>\n

Admittedly, the Chargers could wait on these until the Draft. The issue is more that they wouldn\u2019t have a proven viable starter beyond the rookie, and if the rookie wasn\u2019t ready yet, then there would be a problem. This is where doing things like signing veterans on the cheap to one-year deals can be beneficial, especially since those kinds of deals seem to be popular right now. And these three positions aren\u2019t the only ones that could still use some depth but could be addressed either way. These, however, are the most critical of the bunch.<\/p>\n

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Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>