Los Angeles Chargers 2021 NFL Draft needs: Protecting Herbert a priority
3. Cornerback
The Los Angeles Chargers very recently had one of the most impressive secondaries in the NFL. With big names like Derwin James and Chris Harris Jr., underrated players like Casey Hayward and Mike Davis and young guys like Desmond King and Nasir Adderley, the team had the makings of a star unit on the back end of their defense.
However, one by one, these players kept dropping. James has been plagued by injuries, King was surprisingly traded mid-season in 2020 and Hayward was a bit of a shocking cap casualty already this offseason, leaving the team a little thin, especially at corner.
Davis has shown that he has what it takes to be a solid, lockdown corner in the NFL, and Harris is still a very solid nickel, but they are lacking that other shutdown corner that is so important in today’s NFL.
A cornerback like Patrick Surtain II, Caleb Farley or Jaycee Horn has been a very popular pairing for the Los Angeles Chargers and their 13th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. That still seems very possible, and even if they go in a different option, there are some solid options in the second and third round range that should be able to come in and start right away, especially under the direction of a defensive mind like Brandon Staley.
4. Edge Rusher
Another huge name that the Los Angeles Chargers are likely to lose in free agency is three-time Pro Bowler, Melvin Ingram. Ingram and Joey Bosa have been one of the most dangerous duos for opposing quarterbacks over the past handful of seasons. But like Turner and Hayward, Ingram may not be coming back, as his contract has expired.
Ingram has yet to sign with a new team, leaving the possibility open for a return, but his age and injury problems may prevent a reunion in 2021. With Bosa still at the top of his game and Uchenna Nwosu in the fold and primed to step up, the team could be okay, but adding another talent off the edge is always a good idea.
Even if it is in the middle or later rounds on the 2021 NFL Draft, I think Telesco, Staley and the Los Angeles Chargers should add more depth to their pass rush. Staley should be able to mold and utilize any type of edge defender that the team values wherever they are willing to pull the trigger in this year’s draft.
5. Linebacker
The Los Angeles Chargers will also need to fill the shoes of Denzel Perryman, who left in free agency to play in Carolina. While Perryman wasn’t quite of an elite player as some of the guys mentioned above, he impacted the game in many ways with his leadership and versatility in the middle of the defense.
There are solid linebacker options throughout the 2021 NFL Draft. Even if it is later in the draft, grabbing a guy that had great leadership qualities would be a welcomed addition to Staley’s defense and would provide some depth to a relatively thin linebacking corps.