Los Angeles Chargers
2019 Record: (5-11) 4th
AFC West
2019 Season Recap:
Offense
Points: 21.1 (21st)
Yards: 367.4 (10th)
Pass Yards: 276.6 (6th)
Rush Yards: 90.8 (28th)
Defense
Points: 21.6 (14th)
Yards: 313.1 (6th)
Pass Yards: 200.2 (5th)
Rush Yards: 112.8 (18th)
Looking back at the 2019 edition of the L.A Chargers, injuries and
grave disappointment again filled the landscape. This unit was still filled
with ample amounts of talent but just couldn’t get out of their own way
finishing with one of their worst records in recent memory.
Having their star running back Melvin Gordon hold out in hopes to
garner a new contract, you could see the offense was playing at 100%, even upon
his return. Losing Derwin James for basically the entire season, the defense played
admirably but couldn’t put it all together on a weekly basis.
The major issue for this club rested in the poor overall rush
attack and the diminishing throwing ability of Phillip Rivers. Seeing Rivers
reach his second highest level in career interceptions for a season played, the
beginning of the end was front and center. With that said, this group still
competed in most every contest and lost majority of games by a maximum of seven
points. Even as Rivers managed to secure a healthy amount of passing yardage
(4615), his inability to beat coverage was seen in incomplete passes and those
20 interceptions.
With how the Chargers finished the season, Coach Anthony Lynn’s
seat was getting warm but managed to remain as the team’s bench boss. Many changes
will be afoot come the 2020 off-season – including a potential change at quarterback
and running back. Its difficult to imagine a much better record in 2020, but a
sound collection of new additions cold change the tide.
2020 Offseason
WorkBook:
The Offense
As mentioned, the reports came out early suggesting that Rivers
has in fact played his last down with the only team he’s played for. At the
ripe age of 38 years and entering his 17th season in the NFL, we aren’t
surprised to witness an adjustment – but who will be his successor? Many have
intimated the Chargers could be in the mix to bring Tom Brady aboard, but how
will this move make the team much better. Brady like Rivers, has seen better
days in terms of skill and ability and we don’t see this option as a massive
upgrade.
Tyrod Taylor is the only viable passer on the roster as of today
and could become the week one starter by default. If the choice is Taylor, his
limitations will be felt throughout the entire year. Being a fabulous deep
passer, Tyrod truly struggles with over the middle passes and short outs to the
sideline. Its not out of the question to see another quarterback drafted – but will
that player be ready from day one? A very interesting situation rests on who
will lead this team in 2020.
Jumping into the running back position, the departure of Gordon
has already been concluded as he is ready to test the open market. Locking up
their other great producer, Austin Ekeler has been resigned to a team friendly
deal to remain with the club. In our eyes, the Chargers aren’t even close to
finished with this room and another running back will be added at some point
this off-season. Our thought would obviously go toward the NFL draft where this
class is truly stacked with talent. If the Chargers enter the year with Ekeler
and Justin Jackson as their only options at the position – get ready for much
of the same production we witnessed from 2019.
Looking at the wide receiver room the Chargers currently employ,
we can’t hate on this group whatsoever. Keenan Allen still holds great skill
and will continue to be the leader of this crop. Racking up a whopping 104
receptions, for 1199 yards and six touchdowns – in our eyes he still in his
prime. Adding to that, Mike Williams took a huge leap in the right direction to
become that trusted secondary option to help Allen in the pass game. Williams
also managed to secure over 1000 yards but wasn’t utilized in the endzone like
we would’ve thought. Needless to say, these two studs are the only credible options
at the position and we fully expect more talent added this off-season.
Moving toward the tight end position and the great skill of Hunter
Henry, the Chargers have already placed the franchise tag for him to return for
2020. We weren’t overly surprised to witness the tag placed on him as injuries
cloud the potential to sign him to a large money contract extension. With that said,
when Henry is on the field, he is a dominating match up nightmare that opposing
defenses struggle to cover. If Henry can prove to play an entire season without
finding his way to the medical room, L.A should certainly lock him up for the
long term.
Correcting the offensive line is an obvious requirement, but
finding the replacement for the quarterback and running back positions will be
top priorities.
The Defense
Looking to the defensive side of the ball, injuries have been problematic
for quite some time and we should see major changes forthcoming. While the
defensive rankings haven’t been overly poor, adjustments need to be made to
utilize the star talent they currently possess.
The defensive line has been an issue for several years and we
should finally witness a keen encouragement to address this problem. Already releasing
Brandon Mebane in hopes to generate more funds on the books, they still have
great pieces to work with. Leading the charge is Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram
who accounted for a whopping 18.5 sacks together while the rest of the defense managed
only 30 in total. Being responsible for 60% of the club’s sack production, this
should be viewed as a major need while adding better players to help the cause.
Finding sound defensive tackle help will be the most important to improve on
the 18th best rush defense in the NFL.
Heading toward the line backer position, the Chargers are also
very thin in this department with Denzel Perryman being the only viable
play-maker. The Chargers also released Thomas Davis this past week which has added
to the issue of depth in this room. With line backers on the open market
looking rather stout, we could see the Chargers persuade some free agents to
the team. Adding to that, its not out of the question to see L.A snag Isaiah
Simmons in the draft if he were to fall in their laps. The choice would clearly
be between a potential franchise passer or what could be a generational talent
at line backer. This is one positional group to watch this off-season.
As we move to review the defensive backfield on this team, we haven’t
been shy in out complete infatuation for super star Derwin James. Coming into
last years draft process, every ounce of tape we dissected made the man crush
grow that much more. It was unfortunate to see James sidelined for most of last
season, but at full health, he will get back to business. Having Casey Hayward
still looking fairly sound at corner, we should also see the Chargers look to improve
this group. The Chargers seem to have a good amount of depth in the secondary
with Nasir Adderley waiting in the wings, Desmond King always ready to showcase
his flash, and the possibility to resign Adrian Phillips to the club. Finding
another corner back should definitely be something to consider, but won’t be a
top priority this off-season.
Team Free Agents / Team Salary Cap
With the removal of Phillip Rivers, Melvin Gordon and others
already cut from the team – the Chargers hold a nice 53.8 million in free
dollars. With the NFL collective bargaining agreement ratified on March 15th,
additional funds have been given to each team to the tune of 198 million in
total cap. This will help the Chargers lure more free agents while offering
contracts to team free agents.
Even as the Chargers hold 24 team free agents to consider, the
list isn’t overly daunting and shouldn’t have much consideration. Adrian
Phillips and Michael Schofield should be the top commodities to return, but aren’t
overly in demand for L.A. The rest of this list could be seen as majority depth
pieces with some absolutely returning for another campaign.
Its always the objective to find more money on the books, and the
Chargers have a multitude of options to help their bottom line. Joey Bosa is
the last year of his rookie contract and could see a contract extension lower
his current 14.3-million-dollar cap hit. Though this may be unpopular with most,
Casey Hayward could be a consideration for release with his 10.7 million
dollars only holding a dead cap of 4 million. Savings could be found here but
would drop the overall talent of the secondary.
Outside or offering a contract extension for recently acquired
Guard Trai Turner, the Chargers should stand quite firm with their current
contracts in hopes to remain competitive for the 2020 season.
The NFL Draft
In terms of the NFL draft, the Chargers hold all seven of their
picks as of today but could chose to move up if they indeed see their next
franchise passer on the board. With Joe Burrow likely the number one overall
pick in the draft, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert are viable options for the
Chargers at six overall. Could we see L.A chose Isaiah Simmons at six then use
pick 37 (second round) to select Jordan Love, Jake Fromm or Jacob Eason, its
truly possible. Imagine having a player like Simmons rostered with James and
Bosa to be the fixtures for many years to come.
Regardless in how the Chargers plan to move in this draft, a lot of
skilled pieces will have to be added to make them improve for Coach Lynn. While
we have always been of the opinion to select the best player on the board when the
team is on the clock – L.A will have many options to secure this type of talent.
Adding a running back will be a top objective and we could see that come to
fruition in the second or third round. With how the league has downgraded the
running back position, we should see only one or two runners taken in the first
round leaving many options for L.A.
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