Los Angeles Chargers: Strengths and weaknesses

After an up and down season in 2020 that ended with four straight wins, the Los Angeles Chargers had a busy offseason to try and surround the reigning Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert with the most talent possible. Find out what they did well and some areas they can improve. Read more about the Chargers in our AFC West preview here.

Strengths

Quarterback

Obviously, the starter is the aforementioned Justin Herbert who shined behind a very poor offensive line in 2020. He ran away with the ROTY honors after breaking the rookie record for touchdowns, completions, 300-yard games and more. He more than likely would have broken Andrew Luck’s yardage record if he had started all 16 games, finishing only 38 yards behind Luck in one less game played. The Chargers brought in Chase Daniel from Chicago to back him up and the veteran has taken a mentorship role in the QB room. Easton Stick is a solid emergency option that has plenty of preseason experience and been with the Chargers since 2019.

Linebackers

This group is headlined by 2020 first round selection Kenneth Murray, whom the Chargers traded up to get. Murray was regular starter as a rookie and racked up 107 total tackles and five tackles for loss. Murray was also selected to the PFWA all-rookie team. Beside him will be Drue Tranquill, who was the starter last year before a serious ankle injury in week one. Tranquill is a former safety who compliments the downhill style of Murray with elite pass coverage skills and instincts. Kyzir White is an extremely fast linebacker who will provide excellent depth behind Tranquill and Murray. Uchenna Nwosu is s a player that will flourish in head coach Brandon Staley’s versatile scheme after being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft.

Wide receiver

Keenan Allen is one of the games most under appreciated players, posting at least 97 catches in each of the last four seasons. Mike Williams is WR2 and was 11th in yards per reception among receivers in 2020 at 15.3. Those two compliment each other with such different styles. the WR3 spot is a very healthy competition between third round 2021 selection Josh Palmer, Jalen Guyton and Tyrone Johnson. Guyton and Johnson worked as deep threats for Herbert last year and Palmer was selected with a top-100 pick for a reason. This group is young, explosive and has a quarterback that can get them the ball anywhere on the field.

Starting offensive line

After being one of the worst units in the league a year ago, the offensive line has four new starters heading into 2021. 13th overall selection Rashawn Slater slots in immediately at left tackle. Free agent signings Oday Aboushi, a former Detroit Lion, and Matt Feiler (Pittsburgh Steelers) man the guard spots. 2020 First-team all-pro center Corey Linsley anchors the middle of the line. Those four players are a huge upgrade from the combo of Sam Tevi, Dan Feeney, Mike Pouncey and Trai Turner. Bryan Bulaga was unable to stay healthy in 2020 and can still be an above average tackle if he can avoid the same injuries he suffered last year.

Weaknesses

Offensive line depth

There is always going to be a catch with a Chargers offensive line. The depth behind the starters is subpar. Trey Pipkins III has the talent but has yet to put it together, prompting GM Tom Telesco to take Slater. Former XFL tackle Strom Norton is not a starting caliber player but could be thrusted in at any moment of injury. Brendan Jaimes was taken with the 159th overall selection and provides guard depth. The Chargers are a few injuries away from returning to 2020 form and having a basement offensive line.

Safety depth

A theme you will notice in LA is the top-tier talent but not a ton of depth behind them. Backing up Derwin James, an all-pro in his only healthy season, and Nassir Adderly is Alohi Gilman, who really struggled even on special teams in as a rookie in 2020. Mark Webb was taken in the seventh round is another backup. Jmes has consistently struggled with injuries and if he were to go down again, Webb would have to take his place. The only other safety on the roster is UDFA Ben DeLuca, formerly of Charlotte. Adderly and James have got to stay healthy if this defense wants to resemble the Rams defense coach by Brandon Staley a year ago.