LA Chargers: 3 players who won’t survive summer roster cuts
By Jason Reed
3. T.J. Smith, DT
The LA Chargers signed T.J. Smith as an undrafted free agent last season and he lived on the team’s practice squad for defensive tackle depth. This is another position that the Chargers should address in the 2021 NFL Draft, putting the man at the end of the roster on the chopping block.
The Chargers are okay at the defensive tackle position but it certainly could get better. Linval Joseph is in the last year of his contract and is one year older (and on the wrong side of 30). Jerry Tillery has not been great in his two years and while it is too soon to fully give up on him, it is foolish to fully trust in him. Plus, he is terrible against the run.
Justin Jones is a solid depth option that does not get the credit he deserves and the Chargers have more depth options in Cortez Broughton and Breiden Fehoko, both of which are above Smith on the pecking order.
It is not a massive need for the Bolts but the team would benefit from using a fourth/fifth-round pick on a defensive tackle that can help add depth after this season as well as defend against the run in 2021. The Chargers need more help inside in stopping the run and getting a run-stuffer in the draft would benefit them greatly.
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It would not benefit T.J. Smith, however, as he would become the next player on the block to be cut.