The next LA Chargers signing will decide the 2021 first-round pick

Dec 15, 2019; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2019; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The LA Chargers have made four notable signings (among others) this offseason. The team brought in Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler and Jared Cook as new players while re-signing Michael Davis to a three-year contract.

The Chargers had enough cap space to make one more impactful signing before paying the 2021 draft class and the depth. There are several different routes the team could go as well, with several different needs.

The team still needs a starting left tackle and right guard, needs another cornerback and needs help at edge rusher. You could also make the case for another depth tight end if they don’t plan on targeting one in the draft.

Whatever the team does will have a direct impact on who the team takes in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. If this signing occurs, we will know exactly what the Chargers will select at 13.

The LA Chargers free agency options and the draft impact:

Cornerback: 

There are two notable cornerbacks that the LA Chargers could push for. Recently-released Kyle Fuller would be a great addition to the team. Fuller is not as versatile as other free agents but he and Michael Davis make a decent outside cornerback pairing and Chris Harris can bounce around, mostly playing in the slot.

Adoree Jackson is the other notable cornerback that the team can sign. Jackson is younger and has a higher ceiling and likely will cost more as a result. Like Fuller, he is not that versatile but he is someone who could provide quality snaps out wide.

MUST-READ: The notion that the LA Chargers are cheap is unfounded

The team is not going to bring in any expensive veteran corners after cutting Casey Hayward. If they were going to do that then they would have just kept Hayward.

If the LA Chargers sign Fuller or Jackson then they are going to draft an offensive lineman with the 13th overall pick.

Offensive line: 

There are not many options for the Chargers to pursue for help at left tackle. The team could get help on the inside with several veteran options, but there is not someone who jumps off the page as the most exciting. Larry Warford and Nick Easton are solid, but not fantastic. James Carpenter and Austin Blythe could be okay options as well.

The best remaining tackle is (probably) Cameron Fleming, who is not that great. However, because of the cost, the Chargers could sign a cheaper left tackle and right guard and then draft a cornerback in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Personally, I would hate that route but I would not be shocked. Tom Telesco loves taking skill-position players in the first round and might get too comfortable with the additions of Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler.

Whatever it is, we will know exactly what the LA Chargers’ plans are with the next signing that the team makes.

Or they could throw us all a curveball and spend the rest of the cap space on an edge rusher and leave us all wondering how in the world they are going to fill cornerback and offensive line with their draft picks.

Schedule