LA Chargers could have some fascinating 2022 free agency targets

After making their final decisions on internal free agents, where will the LA Chargers look externally?

Even after the LA Chargers re-sign the players who they bring back, the team will still have a very solid amount of cash left to work with for other free agents. As a result, there are a lot of realistic options for the team to pursue this offseason in an effort to break into the playoffs next season.

The Bolts will likely not be scared to pursue veterans who only have a couple of years left in the tank if they are trying to win a ring while Justin Herbert is still on his rookie deal. With that in mind, there are plenty of options for the team to realistically pursue that could seriously change the outlook of the team’s offensive and defensive units.

Offensive Free Agent Targets

Even with a large number of defensive needs, one name a lot of LA Chargers fans would love to hear is joining the team is Davante Adams. Adams has expressed in the past on Twitter that he wants to play with Keenan Allen, and giving arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL to Justin Herbert would feel unfair.

However, that signing would be an extremely expensive one as Adams will be commanding a market resetting contract. As a result, it would be difficult to see a world where Adams is signed with Mike Williams still on the team.

If the Chargers decide that the price tag on Adams is too hefty, some cheaper wide receiver options can be found in the likes of Christian Kirk and Chris Godwin. Both would be far more affordable and would still provide threats in the passing game that would complement Keenan Allen’s game.

Outside of the receiver room, the main offensive position the Chargers could consider addressing in free agency is the offensive line. The line needs another piece or two at RT and RG to polish out the problems present there last season. The front office could look to bring in G Laken Tomlinson or T Morgan Moses, who would both be affordable, yet solid pieces that would allow the team to continue to pursue other more expensive talents.

Defensive Free Agent Targets

It’s clear that the biggest holes present on the roster are on the defensive side of the ball for the most part. With how the unit performed last season and with all the players who will more than likely not be brought back, the Chargers have a few positions of need to fill so Brandon Staley can sculpt out the defense he envisions.

The defensive line should be a priority to address this offseason, especially on the inside. One defensive tackle the Chargers could make a run at this year is Akiem Hicks. While he is edging towards the end of his career, Hicks still has the ability to be a problem for opposing offensive lines. So long as he makes sure he is fully healthy this offseason, the Chargers could use him on a defensive line that needs support.

The secondary is another position that needs support desperately. Because the Chargers have cap space available, they have the ability to make a run at top-tier cornerback free agents like J.C. Jackson or Carlton Davis. Both are lockdown corners who had excellent seasons last year. Either of those defensive backs would provide an enormous upgrade that would elevate the secondary, creating a strong duo with Asante Samuel Jr.

Another target the Chargers could pursue who would bolster that secondary is Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu had an impressive last season and showed his versatility as a defender. On top of that, Mathieu seems to be good friends with Derwin James, making this fit seem a lot more natural already. Giving Staley a player like Mathieu to line up with James would create a scary secondary base to build around.

While the Chargers can’t afford all of those targets, signing even a few of those free agents could change the team and how it operates entirely. It will be up to Tom Telesco and the Bolts’ front office to make the correct decisions this offseason, but a strong free agency combined with the 11 picks they have in this year’s draft could put this team in a position to contend for a playoff spot next season.