Written by Christian Lysek
They went and did it. The Chargers moved to LA. The move is greedy and unjustifiable. They abandoned their loyal fanbase and moved to a town with way too many teams already. Unfortunately, there is no turning back now, and it is time to start looking ahead to the next season. Here is what the LA Chargers will look like coming into the off-season.
Free Agency:
Cap Space: 8,949,991 (according to Fanspeak)
Notable Free Agents: RB Danny Woodhead, EDGE Melvin Ingram, LB Manti Teo
Danny Woodhead is one of the best scatbacks in the league, but he is on the wrong side of thirty, coming off a torn ACL, and is being made irrelevant with the emergence of Melvin Gordon. The Chargers would probably love to keep Melvin Ingram, but it would take some serious cap magic they might not be able to afford. They will probably lose Ingram in a bidding war. Manti Teo was the starting middle linebacker, but poor play and injuries will force the former second round pick to find a new home.
On the Market Prospects: EDGE Barkevious Mingo, RB Knile Davis
Obviously, the Chargers cannot afford much. Knile Davis can be a good backup to Melvin Gordon and can contribute in the return game. Barkevious Mingo is currently a draft bust, but he has potential and could at least provide depth for the Chargers.
The Draft:
Early Round Prospects (Rounds 1-2):
The Chargers offensive line is still garbage even when it is healthy so Ryan Ramczyk or Garrett Bolles could give Phillips Rivers and Melvin Gordon protection from either tackle position. The Chargers still have not replaced Eric Weddle, so picking up Malik Hooker or Budda Baker would give the secondary another ball hawk along with Casey Hayward. The Chargers could also replace Melvin Ingram with a young EDGE rusher such as Derek Barnett, Tim Williams, or TJ Watt. They all can play in the Chargers 3-4 defense and would ensure the young defense does not lose a step.
Late Round Prospects (rounds 3-7):
Davis Webb is a high upside quarterback with a big arm. He could replace Phillip Rivers in the future. Marcus Williams underrated safety from Utah who could help. Stacy Coley and Jehu Chesson are wide receivers with the size and speed to carve out a role in the Chargers offense. Stevie Tu'Kolovatu could play nose and eventually start for the Chargers as a space eater. Donnel Pumphrey has the speed and receiving skills to be a solid scatback. Kyle Kalis is a veteran guard from Michigan who isn't flashy but is solid. Chad Wheeler is enormous and could one day start at offensive tackle, but he needs good coaching to reach his potential.
The one move nobody may see coming:
The Chargers could trade Keenan Allen for a starter at another position. The Chargers are deep at wide receiver and could use skill at safety, EDGE, and offensive line. Allen is a great wide receiver but he cannot stay healthy. The return would still be high on him, though, and plenty of teams would be interested in the young star.
What I would do:
- Sign Barkevious Mingo
- Draft: Round 1- Ryan Ramczyk, Round 2- TJ Watt, Round 3- Marcus Williams, Round 4- Davis Webb, Round 5- Jehu Chesson, Round 6- Stevie Tu'Kolovatu, Round 7- Donnel Pumphrey
What do you think of this offseason plan? Comment below for questions and inputs and thanks for reading.
Cap and free agency data provided by Fanspeak UltimateGM service.
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