Offensive and Defensive FA’s to Target For the Chargers

The firestorm starts today, free agency in the NFL. We have all speculated, guessed and projected who will come to San Diego, who will leave and what needs will be filled. I will give my two cents on an offensive and defensive player the Chargers should target starting tomorrow:

Nov 24, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver

(89) rushes with the football after catching a pass during overtime against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Vikings and Packers tied 26-26. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Offense

James Jones, WR

Not the sexiest pick, he will be 30 in a few weeks.  But if the Chargers can get a wide receiver somewhere in the draft, Jones, as a veteran, would go a long way to develop two young receivers in Keenan Allen and the draft pick. A veteran presence in the receiving corps could help tremendously and take some pressure off of Philip Rivers. Jones is a Super Bowl champ, playing the past 7 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He is coming off a decent year, 817 receiving yards and 3 TDs. The lack of touchdowns may have resulted in the long absence of a man named Aaron Rodgers. He would be cheaper than some (i.e. Hakeem Nicks thinks he deserves more money than he is actually worth).

Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback

(18) throws against Seattle Seahawks cornerback

(28) during the second half in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Defense

Walter Thurmond, CB

Another Super Bowl champ on the market, a more recent one (last month with the Seahawks). He would cost more than Jones, but I think it’s worth it. The defensive tackle draft pool is slightly deeper than that of cornerbacks. So the Chargers should target a solid corner in free agency then worry about the nose tackle in May. But there are plenty of good options at NT in free agency as well. Thurmond would bring more swag to the Chargers secondary (I personally think Eric Weddle as a decent amount of swag). As a part of the Legion of Boom in Seattle, he had 1 sack, 1 interception, which was returned for a TD, and also 33 tackles. He’s from LA so it would be a nice fit. Having played with one of the best corners in the game (Richard Sherman), he could bring a lot to the table.

These aren’t rumors, this is just my speculation on who the Chargers should target. There are lots of good fits out there for San Diego, these are just two examples. The starting gun is about to fire, this should be fun to watch. I trust Tom Telesco will make some good decisions in the coming days and weeks.