Los Angeles Chargers 2019 preseason awards: Best Play, MVP, and more

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: Troymaine Pope #35 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs for a 42 yard gain in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Chargers: Best free agent acquisition

Nominations:

Troymaine Pope, Running Back
Anthony Lanier, Defensive End
Ty Long, Punter

Winner: Anthony Lanier, Defensive End

Long is the only one of the three to be guaranteed a roster spot, as he has vastly outperformed Tyler Newsome. Long landed five of his nine punts inside the 20-yard line, and has a long of 59 during the preseason. His 49.3 average is seven yards better than Newsome.

Pope, with one electric play, won the hearts of fans, but hasn’t been a dominant rusher or receiver through the entire preseason. His best game was three attempts for 43 yards, with a long of 42.

Lanier wasn’t acquired in March as a typical free agent, but rather in November of 2018 as a practice squad player. Still, considering he didn’t see the field once for the Chargers last year, I think he still counts as a free agent acquisition for this season.

Lanier has impressed because he is consistently around the football, and his 16 total tackles are fourth-best on the Chargers and seven more than the next defensive lineman. He’s flashed against the passing game as well, whether it be a sack on a two-point conversion or a batted ball at the line of scrimmage.