LA Chargers: 3 free agents that have existing ties to the Chargers

Free agent with ties to the LA Chargers: DL Josh Mauro

Connection to the LA Chargers: John Lott

John Lott is the head strength and conditioning coach of the LA Chargers and held the same position with the Arizona Cardinals up until 2016. In Arizona, one of the members of the defense that he coached was defensive lineman, Josh Mauro.

Mauro is an interesting free agent as the Chargers could get creative with him and use him as simply depth or get creative and actually use him as a rotational player. With the Cardinals, Mauro played defensive tackle in a 3-4 scheme but has since played defensive end with every 4-3 team that he has played for.

The Chargers are a 4-3 team and do not need much help on the ends with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram but Mauro could still supply depth at the edge as Uchenna Nwosu is the team’s only reliable depth option at the position.

More importantly, the team could look to get creative and use Mauro on the inside as well as an athletic, run-stuffing defensive tackle. If there is one thing the Chargers love it is getting creative and using guys in multiple defensive positions and Mauro fits that identity to a tee.

Mauro’s best years as a professional were with the Cardinals in the 3-4 scheme and he was very valuable in stopping the run. He received a 73.3 and 76.9 run defense grade on Pro Football Focus in his first two years in Arizona.

Mauro absolutely could help on the inside and could simply be a rotational piece that comes in on dedicated running downs.

Regardless, Mauro could provide depth at two positions and allow Gus Bradley to be creative, something we know he loves to do.