Free Agency: Is Tashaun Gipson Chargers’ No. 1 target?

The San Diego Chargers are going to need to completely rebuild the secondary. Eric Weddle will be moving on after a productive nine-year career in San Diego. He is the type of player who won’t be easy to replace.

As a result, the Chargers will need to scramble to do just that, and Tashaun Gipson, who has spent the previous four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, is available. The Chargers forced just 20 turnovers last season and a player with the ability to help in that area would be a big bonus.

Gipson has 14 career interceptions, and would be a welcome addition to the secondary. Does that make him the team’s top target when the free-agent market officially opens on Wednesday? According to Eric D. Williams who covers the team for ESPN, the answer to that question is yes.

However, general manager Tom Telesco will have to consider the price tag that Gipson will carry. That said, the team won’t find a better option on the market in terms of pass coverage at the free safety spot and at just 25 years old, he has a lot of football in front of him.

There could also be some concern. Gipson collected 11 interceptions in 2013 and 2014 combined, and had only two last season. He was also suspect in defending against the run. Still, a solid free safety can’t be overlooked, particularly in a 3-4 defense. Gipson could be the ballhawking defender the Chargers didn’t have last season, even in Weddle.

Wednesday may be one of the biggest days in the career of Telesco and this coming week will certainly shape his future in San Diego. Deciding whether or not to sign Gipson, regardless of the cost, will be a key decision.

Report: Falcons interested in Alex Mack https://t.co/MZjIv6CjZ4

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Re-signing some of his own free agents and looking at bringing in players such as Travis Benjamin and Alex Mack will factor into that decision as well. In fact, a case could be made that either Benjamin or Mack should be the team’s top target. But at this time, I would almost rule out the Chargers bringing in Mack. The Falcons are reportedly interested and a bidding war will ensue, one that Telesco likely wouldn’t win.

Instead, Gipson should be at the top of this year’s list. If Telesco is successful in reeling him in on Wednesday, he may start to find some believers in San Diego.