Bolt Beat
Fansided

Chargers: Top five positional needs heading into 2020

By Alexander Insdorf

WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 30: Jordan Love #10 of the Utah State Aggies rolls out against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 38-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 30: Jordan Love #10 of the Utah State Aggies rolls out against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 38-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 08: Russell Okung #76 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to the scoreboard against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field on December 08, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 08: Russell Okung #76 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to the scoreboard against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field on December 08, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

Chargers need No. 1: Offensive line

1. Offensive Line

No surprise here. However, it isn’t all bad. Many of the issues for the offensive line in 2019 were injury-based as opposed to skill-based. The loss of Russell Okung due to a pulmonary embolism in the offseason after the draft was an unexpected development that really hurt the Chargers in a way they couldn’t really fix afterwards.

In addition to that, Mike Pouncey injured his neck back in early October. Forrest Lamp was having a really promising season before breaking his ankle and landing on IR himself. Trey Pipkins‘ play has been promising, though him having to play given all the injuries isn’t exactly optimal.

The Chargers could use more retooling on the line as well as health, both of which are available in a draft with wide receivers. It would be nice to count on Okung, Lamp, and Pouncey to stay healthy, but it’s not something you can really depend on necessarily, especially with a blood clot for Okung. Tristan Wirfs and Andrew Thomas could be getting a call from Anthony Lynn come draft time.

There are other positions that need the Chargers’ attention, as of course every team tries to get better at every position. Two honorable mentions that would be six and seven would be linebacker and running back, depending on how the Chargers play the offseason decisions to be made there.

Next. Four Chargers who shouldn't be Chargers in 2020

Offensive line is the biggest area of need as it’s the biggest thing holding the team back, followed by the lack of a true third option at receiver and the turnovers of Rivers. On the defensive side of the ball at four and five, cornerback and and defensive tackle and the positions that could use some investment.

Home/LA Chargers News