The Chargers won’t be aggressive when it comes to signing free agents, as they’re currently $22.1 million over the projected salary cap.
While they’re cash-strapped, general manager Joe Hortiz will make some moves to have some spendings available to them so they can sign some.
That said, I will list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A.
Next up is the AFC East.
New England Patriots: EDGE Josh Uche
The future of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack remains to be seen, as the two players could be moved to clear up some cap space. Regardless of what the Chargers decide to do them with, they need more pass-rush juice off the edge.
Uche is an athletic rusher with good speed and burst to get to opposing quarterbacks, an ideal skillset to play in a situational role. His most productive came in 2022 when he had 11.5 sacks while playing just 38% of the snaps.
Jim Harbaugh is familiar with Uche, as he recruited him to play at Michigan in the Class of 2016.
Miami Dolphins: S DeShon Elliott
Alohi Gilman is set to hit the free agency market. JT Woods hasn’t panned out to be the player the Chargers were hoping for when they took him in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Elliott is coming off a big season for the Dolphins. He finished with 82 tackles, seven passes defended, a tackle for loss and a pass deflected.
Los Angeles needs defensive backs that can come up in run support, which Elliott can provide as he’s notorious for laying down the wood.
Elliott has some familiarity with the Chargers’ staff, as general manager Joe Hortiz was the director of college scouting when the Ravens drafted him in 2018. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter worked with Elliott when he was Baltimore’s assistant defensive backs coach (2019) and defensive backs coach (2020).
Buffalo Bills: EDGE A.J. Epenesa
Epenesa profiles differently from Uche, as he might not be the most athletic, but he wins with his length, power, and skilled hands.
Epenesa is coming off his most productive season as a pro, finishing with 29 quarterback pressures, 18 hurries and two interceptions. In 2022 and 2023, he posted 6.5 sacks.
New York Jets: C Connor McGovern
Corey Linsley is likely heading to retirement. Will Clapp is a free agent.
How I would like to see the Chargers fill the void at the position is to draft one in the first three rounds and sign a veteran for cheap, which could be someone like McGovern.
McGovern, the seven-year player, is coming off a down season for the Jets, particularly in pass protection. But he’s been serviceable for most of his career, with run blocking being his strength. In four seasons, he’s finished with grades over 68.0 in that department.
