This is The Gridiron Review’s Los Angeles Chargers 2023 Offseason Team Breakdown. We provide you with all things you need to know about the Chargers heading into FA and the draft. We also provide our thoughts on the needs of the team and how we think they can be addressed!
Los Angeles Chargers 2022 Record: 10-7
Los Angeles Chargers Salary Cap(According to Spotrac): $-19,672,446
Notable Free Agents(According to Spotrac):
- Deandre Carter, WR/ST
- Donald Parham, TE
- Trey Pipkins, OT
- Morgan Fox, DL
- Drue Tranquill, ILB
- Troy Reeder, ILB
- Kyle Van Noy, OLB
- Bryce Callahan, CB
- Nasir Adderley, S
Team Needs: WR(Primarily Depth), DL, LB, CB(Depth)
3 Free Agent Targets(In No Order):
- Marquise Goodwin, WR/Parris Campbell, WR
- Carl Nassib, DL
- Bobby Okereke, LB
Los Angeles Chargers First Round Pick(s): Pick 22
3 Draft Prospect Fits/Targets:
- Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
- Jordan Addison, WR, USC
- Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Our Chargers Ideal Offseason Plans/Thoughts:
- The Chargers will 100% be a super bowl contender in 2023 if this roster is able to stay healthy. Injuries have been the achilles heel of the Chargers for a couple years now. The scariest aspect of the offseason for the Chargers has to be the fact that they blew a 27-0 lead to the Jags after all the money they invested into this defense last offseason. Also the fact that they are nearly $20 million in the hole and Justin Herbert is still on a rookie deal. They have to push for a Super Bowl this season because once they have to pay Herbert this roster could take a massive hit.
- Brandon Staley is extremely lucky to still have his job. After two years of their season ending on bad coaching decisions, Staley is lucky that the first thing on this list isn’t hiring a competent HC.
- The Chargers need to address the WR room. They paid Mike Williams last year despite his inability to stay healthy. Williams missed the playoff game due to Staley’s incompetence and playing starters in a game that didn’t matter. There are also rumors surrounding Keenan Allen as a trade/cut candidate, which seems like it came out of nowhere. If Allen is released or dealt, we actually like Josh Palmer as an option to replace Allen. Regardless of what happens with Allen, look for Marquise Goodwin and Paris Campbell (or anyone with speed) to be names on the Chargers target list. Both are deep threats, which the Chargers lack. If they decide to draft instead, Jalin Hyatt or Jordan Addison would be a really good fit with the Chargers.
- Despite the money the Chargers threw at their defensive line last offseason they still ranked 28th against the run, which is absolutely baffling. The defensive line is becoming the unfixable problem for the Chargers. Morgan Fox led the interior pass rush with 6.5 sacks, and he’s a free agent. Outside of fox the defensive line had 5 sacks. Joseph-Day had 2 and Jerry Tillery(who isn’t on the team anymore) had 1. Carl Nassib had a solid end of the season in Tampa Bay and could be a great pickup for the Chargers. Overall though, they need to find a solution because the line seems to be this team’s other achilles heel.
- As it sits right now, the Chargers OLB room is extremely strong with two of the best edge rushers in the NFL in Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Mack had a really strong season despite Bosa missing a bunch of games due to injury. Regardless of what happens with Mack (there are subtle rumors about him being traded or cut), Tyree Wilson would be a really good fit with the Chargers. Wilson is a really good run defender who needs time to develop his pass rush. No one better to learn from than Bosa and potentially Mack.
- At ILB, Drue Tranquill is set to become a FA. You have to prioritize bringing him back. You let Kyzir White walk last year, you can’t let another LB walk. Tranquill played in all 17 games racking up 146 tackles, 10 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 INT. His running mate, Kenneth Murray has never truly lived up to being a first rounder. Look for the Chargers to add a player like Bobby Okereke to add to their ILB rotation.
- The CB room has strong starters especially with JC Jackson hopefully coming back 100% healthy. Bryce Callahan played pretty well for the Chargers this year and should be re-signed. Even with Callahan however, they could use another depth piece or two.