NFL News & Analysis

2017 Free Agency Preview: Los Angeles Chargers

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 11: Safety Jahleel Addae #37 of the San Diego Chargers gets set on defense against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half on September 11, 2016 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)

[Editor’s note: This preview was originally published on Feb. 28, 2017, and updated on March 6 to reflect changes in the market do to franchise tags, re-signings, cuts, etc.]

What you need to know

The Los Angeles Chargers made arguably the best free-agent signing of 2015, nabbing cornerback Casey Hayward from the Packers. Hayward finished the season with the sixth-ranked overall grade at the position, in part due to his NFL-leading seven interceptions. After a disappointing five-win season and a head coaching change, the Chargers will be looking for another big hit this offseason, although they’ll have limited cap space to work with.

Salary cap room

$5,146,314 (30th in NFL; as of 3/6/2017)

Biggest needs

  • Tackle
  • Guard
  • Interior defender

Notable free agents

  • Jahleel Addae, S, 85.2
  • Danny Woodhead, RB, 55.0

Must re-sign

Jahleel Addae, S, 85.2 overall grade in 2016

With pass-rusher Melvin Ingram under the franchise tag, the Chargers should focus their efforts on retaining Addae, who is likely going to be within the team’s budget and is coming off the best season of his career after sticking with the team as a RFA last offseason. Despite missing nine weeks due to injury, Addae’s overall grade ranked 12th at the position, with above-average marks in both run defense and coverage – from Week 12 through the end of the season, he allowed just a 56.8 passer rating when targeted.

Dream splash

Kevin Zeitler, G, Cincinnati Bengals, 87.1

The offensive line has been a recurring problem for the Chargers in recent seasons. Matt Slauson had a solid 2016 at center after joining the team last offseason (81.2 grade, ranked 18th), but the prospects aren’t quite as good at tackle and guard, given the team didn’t have a single player grade among the top-50 players at either position.

At 27 years old and coming off of a sackless, 87.1-graded season, Zeitler is the best offensive lineman set to hit free agency. He’s graded among the top 10 guards for three straight years and has been above-average in both facets since being drafted in 2012.

Top 2017 free agency prospects

Andrew Whitworth, T, Cincinnati Bengals, 91.3

At 35 years old, Whitworth is very much a short-term option, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing if the team is trying to maximize their window with quarterback Phillip Rivers. Whitworth has been a top-10-graded tackle for eight consecutive seasons, and a top-five player for the last four years. Last season he led all tackles with a 98.0 pass-blocking efficiency rating, surrendering only 14 pressures – a number far below the 98 combined pressures allowed by King Dunlap and Joe Barksdale.

Tony Jefferson, S, Arizona Cardinals, 88.6

In the case that the team doesn’t retain Addae, Jefferson fits the bill at strong safety in new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s cover-3 scheme. Of this year’s class of free agent safeties, none is better against the run than Jefferson, whose 10.5-percent run-stop percentage led the position last year – a good enough mark that it would have been the fifth-best among linebackers. Jefferson is less spectacular in coverage, but has improved there over the last two seasons.

Karl Klug, DI, Tennessee Titans, 81.3

A late-season Achilles tear complicates things, but a healthy Klug would provide much needed interior pass rush, which the Chargers were sorely lacking last year outside of Brandon Mebane. Klug’s 81.3 overall grade was the 22nd-best mark among interior defenders in 2016 and he’s been above-average rushing the passer in each of his six seasons.

2017 Free Agency Rankings
Top 50 free agents
Every 2017 free agent ranked by 2016 overall grade
10 free agents who can make an immediate impact
10 veteran free agents worth a one-year contract
10 sleeper free agents who could bring surprise upside
10 splash free-agent signings we’d like to see
Quarterback rankings
Running back rankings
Wide receiver rankings
Tight end rankings
Offensive linemen rankings
Edge defender rankings
Interior defender rankings
Cornerback rankings
Safety rankings
Linebacker rankings

DivisionTeam
NFC EastDallas Cowboys
NFC EastNew York Giants
NFC EastPhiladelphia Eagles
NFC EastWashington Redskins
AFC EastBuffalo Bills
AFC EastMiami Dolphins
AFC EastNew England Patriots
AFC EastNew York Jets
NFC WestArizona Cardinals
NFC WestLos Angeles Rams
NFC WestSan Francisco 49ers
NFC WestSeattle Seahawks
AFC WestDenver Broncos
AFC WestKansas City Chiefs
AFC WestLos Angeles Chargers
AFC WestOakland Raiders
NFC NorthChicago Bears
NFC NorthDetroit Lions
NFC NorthGreen Bay Packers
NFC NorthMinnesota Vikings
AFC NorthBaltimore Ravens
AFC NorthCincinnati Bengals
AFC NorthCleveland Browns
AFC NorthPittsburgh Steelers
NFC SouthAtlanta Falcons
NFC SouthCarolina Panthers
NFC SouthNew Orleans Saints
NFC SouthTampa Bay Buccaneers
AFC SouthHouston Texans
AFC SouthIndianapolis Colts
AFC SouthJacksonville Jaguars
AFC SouthTennessee Titans

Safety worth way more than 2 points. Help protext your family with fast, affordable life insurance. You could be covered in 10 minutes! Get a Free Quote.
Sponsor

NFL Featured Tools

Subscriptions

Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS.

$9.99 / mo
$79.99 / yr