Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2016 regular season. Today, the San Diego Chargers.
2015 in a nutshell: Despite solid numbers again from veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, they rank 26th in the NFL in terms of points per game and win just four games, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in six years.
Why 2016 could be different: The offense was hit hard by injuries last year, leaving Rivers without top receiver Keenan Allen and left tackle King Dunlap for large portions of the season. Better luck in that department could go a long way.
Major additions: Top pick Joey Bosa, who remains out due to a contract dispute, as well as cornerback Casey Hayward, nose tackle Brandon Mebane and wide receiver Travis Benjamin, all of whom signed as free agents.
Major losses: Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle, cornerback Patrick Robinson and tight end Ladarius Green are all gone.
Breakout watch: With Bosa still holding out, they’ll look for 2014 second-round pick Jeremiah Attaochu (who had six sacks last season) and 2015 sixth-round pick Darius Philon (who has been a pleasant surprise in camp and the preseason) to step up as pass rushers.
Position to watch: Allen is supported by Benjamin, a 26-year-old who was one of only three receivers in football with four 50-yard catches in 2015, but they already lost Stevie Johnson for the season. There isn’t a lot of depth at receiver, so they’ll really need Allen and Benjamin to stay healthy and continue to improve in 2016.
Prediction: They’re better than 4-12, especially if they stay healthy and Rivers remains on track. That said, the defense still lacks bite and they’re just not as good as Denver, Oakland and Kansas City. This is a six- or seven-win team.
