LA Chargers: Free agent options not named Earl Thomas or Jahleel Addae
By Jason Reed
3. Morgan Burnett
A slightly better veteran option than Eric Reid would be Morgan Burnett, although there are more questions about how ready he would be for the 2020 season. Burnett tore his Achilles in Week 11 last season and on such short notice, he would need even more time than Jefferson to be ready to play meaningful snaps.
He suffered the injury in mid-November and he really won’t be fully recovered until the start of October, although he should be ready to take on a lesser role with the team to start the season.
That would mean more time with Gilman as the team’s primary backup but once Burnett is on the field he would be a better option than Reid. Last season, prior to his injury, Brunett logged a 68.0 overall grade with an 80.8 rush defense grade.
Like Jefferson, Burnett is better in run defense and even rushing the quarterback than he is in being a lockdown coverage safety. That is just fine at the strong safety position and the team can utilize him in running downs, leaving the bulk of the passing downs for Jenkins.
Again, because of the uncertainty of the injury, it is almost better to get the guy you are familiar with in Addae or take the risk on the big-name in Earl Thomas. Burnett is probably a more talented option than Addae but Addae would be ready right away.
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