The Los Angeles Chargers were fairly quiet during the free-agent signing period this offseason, choosing to focus on retaining their own free agents rather than looking outside the organization.
As the NFL draft approaches, what is the team’s biggest area of need?
Though the team brought in offensive tackle Russell Okung as a free agent, many fans would say that the offensive line is still the biggest area to focus on. Others may believe that another playmaker is needed at the wide receiver spot.
However, others would say that the team needs another safety. Eric Williams of ESPN.com is one of those people. I happen to agree with him.
Williams says the Chargers need a safety that can play near the line of scrimmage as well as make plays in the middle of the defensive secondary. That sure seems to describe first-round draft prospect Jamal Adams from LSU, doesn’t it?
The Chargers have the No. 7 overall pick in the draft and Adams could still be available at that spot. In fact, there’s a good chance that the team will have its choice between the top two safeties in the draft, Adams and Malik Hooker of Ohio State.
Either player would be a great pick, but Adams has the complete package that Williams describes as the team’s biggest need. And if we’re honest, this team is solid when fully healthy. Keeping players on the field has been the Chargers’ biggest challenge over the course of the last two seasons, but they still have one of the more complete rosters in the league.
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Dwight Lowery, who is coming off his first season with the Chargers, can still be a serviceable safety in the league. That said, he might be the weakest starter the team has on either side of the ball.
Let’s say for argument’s sake that the Chargers fill this need and draft Adams in the first round. Would the team still have any holes to fill? Are there any other glaring needs on the roster?
Personally, I don’t see many. As a result, the Chargers could really draft the best player available in each round of the draft, rather than drafting for positional need.
The draft is so much more fun for a team when it can do that.