LA Chargers Draft: Ranking the top five 2021 NFL Draft needs

LA Chargers biggest draft needs: 2. Cornerback

The Chargers have a lot of questions to answer this offseason about their three main cornerbacks. Michael Davis is a free agent who will command a more pricy extension than his $3.2 million 2020 salary. Davis’ 2021 salary probably won’t be out of the Chargers’ range, but all it takes is just one other team to overpay.

Chris Harris is heading into the final season of his two year agreement after dealing with a nagging foot injury last season. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he ends up being cut by the Chargers towards the start of the offseason.

We saw a comparable move made with veteran linebacker Thomas Davis last season, who initially signed a two year deal as well.

Casey Hayward is also going into the final season of his deal. It’s unlikely that all three corners leave the team, but I also don’t think it’s particularly likely that all three are back next season. There will be some changes to the cornerback room.

Even if they theoretically did bring all three back, Harris and Hayward are both turning 32 this year. The future needs to start being accounted for.

This is the first position so far on the list that I think the Chargers should seriously consider in the first round. Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley has 4.3 speed and a frame build for the Staley system while versatile South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn could be available here too.

The Chargers should go for offensive line in the first round, but cornerback would be understandable given the need to make the secondary younger and more athletic going forward.