Between now and the start of the new league year in March, TGS is providing brief summaries looking ahead at the offseason from the perspective of each NFL team. In this edition, we look at the Los Angeles Chargers.
2016 record: 5-11 — 4th place, AFC West
What’s new? They’re no longer the San Diego Chargers.
Projected salary cap space: $20 million — Only seven teams have less money to spend.
Key in-house free agents: OLB Melvin Ingram, S Jahleel Addae, RB Danny Woodhead
Top pick Joey Bosa got all of the attention in the San Diego front seven last season, but Ingram quietly had a strong season with eight sacks. They need that support for Bosa. Addae also became an asset in the defensive backfield as the 2016 season wore on, but the sample is small. Woodhead is 32 and coming off a lost season, and the focus now is entirely on Melvin Gordon in that backfield.
Key needs: Offensive line, outside linebacker safety
The latter two become less pressing if Ingram and Addae return. The line, though, needs major upgrades inside and outside. Center Matt Slauson was the only strong contributor to that unit in 2016.
Draft breakdown: They hold the No. 7 overall selection and it’s status quo the rest of the way.
Other potential priorities: Oft-injured 31-year-old cornerback Brandon Flowers is slated to carry an $11 million cap hit in 2016. That won’t work. Don’t be surprised if they also part ways with overpaid right guard/first-round bust D.J. Fluker.
Outlook: They have a quarterback and plenty of talent on defense, so if they’re smart with their money and they hit on some draft picks they’ll likely at least be better than the Rams in 2017.
