The free agency frenzy is two months away, but the Chargers are currently deciphering who they could target.
Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger named one offensive and defensive target for each team. For Los Angeles, Spielbergers sees them looking into bolstering the offensive line and the linebacker position.
Here’s who he suggests L.A. should pursue this offseason.
Offense: OT Jawaan Taylor, Jaguars
Trey Pipkins is set to be a free agent. Pipkins had his best season as a pro. Despite dealing with a knee issue, he undoubtedly played his way into a contract extension to remain as the Chargers’ starting right tackle for the foreseeable future. He should be a priority, but in a scenario where he isn’t re-signed, Los Angeles could go the veteran route, and Taylor would make sense.
Taylor has logged over 1,000 snaps in four consecutive seasons and has earned pass-blocking grades of 72.0 or better in back-to-back campaigns, with his 2.5% pressure rate allowed in 2022 the third lowest among right tackles. With Rashawn Slater at left tackle, the Chargers could have great pass-blocking bookends on both sides of the offensive line for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Defense: LB Anthony Barr, Cowboys
With Kyle Van Noy slated to be a free agent, the Chargers could find his replacement with Barr. Barr would add the much-needed experience to Los Angeles’ linebacker corps. He brings value as a solid, weak-side linebacker that can contribute when healthy. Barr would be relied upon for run defense and coverage, but he also adds a solid pass-rush presence.
Over the last five weeks of the regular season and through the wild-card round, Barr has earned a 65.6 overall grade and 71.9 run defense grade, which ranks 27th among linebackers. The Chargers have a lot of work to do to shore up their very poor run defense, but they’ve invested a ton of resources up front in that effort and need to methodically make small additions otherwise, which is what Barr represents here.
