Los Angeles Chargers Seek Cap Relief with Targeted Free Agent Additions
The Los Angeles Chargers enter free agency armed with a sizable $26.6 million of salary cap space. The team has identified several key areas where they need to improve, and they are expected to be aggressive in the market for players who can fill those needs. Here are some potential free agents that the Chargers could target:
Wide Receiver
*
Allen Lazard (Green Bay Packers):
A big-bodied receiver with strong hands, Lazard could provide the Chargers with a reliable target to complement Keenan Allen. *
Jakobi Meyers (New England Patriots):
Meyers is a versatile slot receiver with a knack for finding open spaces and making tough catches.
Tight End
*
Evan Engram (Jacksonville Jaguars):
Engram is a dynamic pass-catching tight end who can stretch the field and make plays in the red zone. *
Hayden Hurst (Cincinnati Bengals):
Hurst is a solid all-around tight end with good blocking skills and the ability to make plays as a receiver.
Cornerback
*
Stephon Gilmore (Indianapolis Colts):
A veteran cornerback with a proven track record of success, Gilmore could provide the Chargers with a much-needed upgrade at the position. *
Tremaine Brock (Los Angeles Rams):
Brock is a young cornerback with excellent athleticism and ball skills.
Defensive Line
*
Javon Hargrave (Philadelphia Eagles):
Hargrave is a disruptive force in the trenches who can generate pressure and create chaos in the opponent’s backfield. *
Daron Payne (Washington Commanders):
Payne is a versatile defensive tackle who can play both as a nose tackle and a pass-rushing specialist.
Linebacker
*
Denzel Perryman (Chicago Bears):
Perryman is a tackling machine who can play both inside and outside linebacker. *
Josh Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars):
Allen is an athletic playmaker who can rush the passer and cover receivers in the open field. The Chargers have a number of other needs to address, including offensive tackle, safety, and running back. However, the players listed above represent some of the top targets that could help the team make a significant improvement in 2023. By making smart decisions in free agency, the Chargers can fill their roster holes and position themselves as contenders in the AFC West.
++++Credit:+Denny+Medley-USA+TODAY+Sports
The+Los+Angeles+Chargers+still+have+a+lot+of+money+to+play+with.++According+to+Over+the+Cap,+they+have+$26.6+million,+ninth-most+in+the+NFL,+to+play+with+before+the+season+starts.++They+still+have+some+roster+spots+to+fill,+so+let’s+take+a+look+at+the+free-agent+options+still+available+to+the+Chargers.
Free+agent+options+for+the+Los+Angeles+Chargers
The+new+Chargers+regime+made+a+strong+statement+by+drafting+an+offensive+tackle+with+the+5th+pick+in+the+NFL+Draft.++They+also+fortified+the+center+in+the+aftermath+Corey+Linsley‘s+pension,+by+adding+Bradley+Bozeman.++There+is+then+one+more+spot+that+still+needs+an+upgrade,+the+right+guard.+
The+starting+RG+of+2023,+Jamaree+Salyer+allowed+the+second-most+pressures+(41)+and+sacks+(8)+on+the+team+last+year.+Halapoulivaati+Vaitai+has+never+given+up+41+pressures+in+a+season.++In+his+last+full+season,+Vaitai+allowed+just+23+pressures.
That+touches+on+why+Vaitai+is+still+a+free+agent.++The+6-foot-1,+312-pounder+missed+all+of+2022+and+all+but+three+games+of+2023+due+to+a+back+injury+that+required+surgery.+
At+the+very+least,+the+Chargers+could+create+some+competition+on+the+ground+while+assessing+Vaitai’s+skill+level+post-surgery.++At+best,+they+could+find+a+capable+guard+who+would+raise+the+level+of+the+offensive+line+at+that+spot+Jim+Harbaugh+likes+it,+elite.
++++Credit:+Jamie+Sabau-USA+TODAY+Sports
The+Chargers+could+use+a+guy+with+experience+playing+along+the+defensive+line.+Calais+Campbell+has+that+in+spades.++He+has+16+years+of+experience+to+his+name.++And+despite+turning+38+at+the+start+of+the+season,+Campbell+played+at+a+very+high+level+last+season.++He+saw+five+years+of+high+water+values+at+pressure+(42),+drops+(7)+and+STOPs+(36).+
The+chargers+have+already+been+added+Pune+Ford+for+this+exact+reason,+but+Harbaugh+loves+building+defensive+lines+as+much+as+he+likes+building+offensive+lines.+
The+6-8,+282+pounder+isn’t+a+long-term+option,+but+could+be+a+bridge+to+the+future+and+invaluable+in+coaching+the+young+defensive+linemen+on+the+team.
++++Credit:+Kyle+Terada-USA+TODAY+Sports
Stephen+Gilmore+is+the+cornerback+version+of+Campbell.++Experienced?++Certainly.++Over+the+hill?++Maybe.++Still+incredibly+productive?++YEP.+
The+Cowboys+didn’t+try+to+hide+Gilmore+either.++Last+season,+he+played+the+17th+most+coverage+snaps+in+the+league,+and+he+was+targeted+91+times,+the+7th+most.++Yet+he+only+allowed+a+55%+completion+percentage.++That+ranked+6th+among+high-volume+cornerbacks.+
