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Chargers agree to two-year deal with DL Square

By Matt Pagels

Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass as he is pressured by San Diego Chargers nose tackle Damion Square (71) during the first quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass as he is pressured by San Diego Chargers nose tackle Damion Square (71) during the first quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Chargers added depth to their defensive line by bringing back one of their own guys.

The Chargers and DL Damion Square have agreed on a two-year deal.

We've agreed to terms on a two-year deal with NT Damion Square.

INFO: https://t.co/cptiR9ESRV pic.twitter.com/dUq5FjOAlh

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) March 11, 2017

Melvin Ingram (franchise tag), Jahleel Addae (four-year, $22.5 million deal), Mike Windt (four-year, $4.41 deal) and now Square were four of the five unrestricted free agents we said the Chargers should re-sign. The only other player who was on our list was Danny Woodhead, who signed a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Despite the love for Woodhead, finding a younger and more durable replacement seemed to be the better move going forward.

As for re-signing Square, it’s a good move by the Chargers. They needed to beef up their defensive line, and the 6-foot-2, 293-pounder is a good rotational player.

Square, 28, has been with the Chargers since 2014. After appearing in zero games in ’14, he was promoted to the active roster midway through the 2015 season, where he played in six games. Square was suspended the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, but he saw his playing time rise after Brandon Mebane was lost for the year with a torn triceps. Square played in a career-high 11 games (seven starts) and finished the year with 13 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks. His breakout performance came against the Cleveland Browns, where he sacked QB Robert Griffin III twice and tacked on two tackles for loss.

The Chargers have quality players on the line with Ingram (who will likely be the Leo in DC Gus Bradley’s scheme), Jeremiah Attaochu (also likely to be moved here), Joey Bosa, Corey Liuget (who needs to have a bounce-back year), Brandon Mebane, Caraun Reid, Darius Philon and Square.

Despite being a strength, the Chargers should still look to add another impact player to the defensive line in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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