15 Chargers who benefit from veteran player rest this offseason

Chargers beneficiaries: Interior defensive line and outside corners

Resting: NT Brandon Mebane

Benefits: DT Cortez Broughton

No, Brandon Mebane and Cortez Broughton don’t play the exact same position or have the exact same responsibilities, but none of the other starters ahead of Broughton are coming out to rest; Jerry Tillery and Justin Jones will battle for starting snaps at defensive tackle, and Damion Square will likely play in the offseason as well as the reserve nose tackle.

However, any available snaps for any man in the middle of the defensive line is good enough for Broughton, who last year registered 18.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Broughton needs to get on the field as much as possible, as someone with his talent for disrupting a play needs to be given every opportunity to develop.

Resting: CB Casey Hayward

Benefits: CB Michael Davis, CB Trevor Williams, and CB Brandon Facyson

After Casey Hayward, there is no definitive second corner option. That’s not to say former starters Michael Davis and Trevor Williams are bad options, but rather there  is simply no obvious choice as to who takes the No. 2 CB spot. As those two battle to start opposite Hayward, who is likely to rest, Brandon Facyson will be given more snaps to show he can be a capable reserve corner.

The Chargers have never been short of talent at corner, but have been bereft of health in recent years. Last season, both Jason Verrett and Williams went down with early injuries forcing Davis into a starting role. If the Chargers want to be successful on the outside covering receivers, they will not only need to find out who their second starter is, but also develop players behind them in the even of an injury.