LA Chargers: “Steal a Player” series – NFC East

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 36-35. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 36-35. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) – LA Chargers

From the Dallas Cowboys, the LA Chargers steal…

DT Gerald McCoy

There’s a lot of directions to go in when considering the stacked roster that Dallas has. Ezekiel Elliott is a terrific three-down back. Despite a somewhat sluggish sophomore season in the league, Leighton Vander Esch could develop into an awesome linebacker.

While those choices would work, Gerald McCoy would be my pick personally. The former Panther and Buccaneer signed with Dallas in the offseason. His contract is only about $6.1 million on average, which is pretty good value for a starting defensive tackle.

A proven veteran like McCoy would be able to slide in right next to Linval Joseph pretty perfectly. He provides some stout rush defense from day one.

McCoy probably isn’t what he used to be in Tampa Bay, but the Chargers do have a need at defensive tackle. Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery might develop into being starting defensive tackles eventually, but it’s pretty clear they aren’t there yet. With an offseason regimen that has and will continue to be drastically affected by the coronavirus, one wonders if their development for 2020 is in jeopardy.

Two people that would be very excited about McCoy’s presence on the line would be Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. The dynamic duo has needed more interior pressure for a few seasons now, and the Chargers simply can’t pass up an opportunity to get it.

Once the Chargers fully fix the interior line, it’s a whole new defense really. Gus Bradley’s defense has a chance as currently constructed to be the best in the league. With another solid interior tackle, the odds would be even greater.

Schedule