LA Chargers: Free agent nose tackles to replace Brandon Mebane

Michael Pierce

On a loaded 2019 Baltimore Ravens team, there was one glaring weakness: the defensive line.

The reason for that weakness can partially be attributed to Michael Pierce, but that would be due to his ankle injury and not a lack of performance.

Due to this, Pierce experienced a down 2019 season. However, his down performance in a contract year may allow the Chargers or another team to sign Pierce to a bargain of a contract.

From 2016-2018, Michael Pierce consistently improved until he became a near-elite player. In 2018, Pierce garnered an elite 90.8 grade from PFF.

In that season, Pierce was an elite run-stuffer and was able to put some pressure on the quarterback despite not recording a sack.

Pierce is a monster of a man at 6’0″ and 340 pounds.

His market value according to Spotrac is at about $4.7 million. This figure is about what you would expect for a low-to-mid-level defensive tackle in free agency.

In 2019, that is basically what Pierce’s performance indicated. However, his performance in 2018 showed that he is capable of far greater than that performance.

Due to this fact, Pierce may be seeking a short-term prove-it contract. If the LA Chargers would be able to sign Pierce to something near the cap hit that was saved by cutting Mebane, they could be getting an absolute steal.