2 more free agents Chargers should sign after savvy D.J. Chark move

The LA Chargers have had a relatively quiet offseason as far as bringing in talent, but they made a sneaky-smart move late Thursday when they signed wide receiver D.J. Chark. A former 1,000-yard receiver with the Jaguars in 2019, Chark adds speed and a deep-threat element that should play right into Justin Herbert's superhuman arm talent.

While Chark was a smart signing and the Chargers roster looks a lot more promising following the NFL Draft, it still has some holes that need plugged.

With that in mind, let's take a look at two more free agents the Chargers should sign to cap Jim Harbaugh's first offseason as head coach.

2. DL Calais Campbell

The Chargers oddly only used one pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on their defensive line: Alabama product Justin Eboigbe, who was a 2023 First-Team All-Sec selection. He'll hope to provide immediate depth along the trenches but it would behoove LA to add more experience in that department.

Enter Calais Campbell. In his age-36 season, Campbell was as disruptive as ever last season for the Falcons. He posted a 80.2 run-defense grade (fourth among IDL) and finished with 36 defensive stops against the run, per Pro Football Focus.

He also posted 6.5 sacks which were his most since 2019, 10 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits and 45 pressures.

Capable of playing at defensive tackle and on the edge, the six-time Pro Bowler would give the Chargers needed experience along the interior and more juice on the edge behind Khalik Mack and Joey Bosa.

1. CB Stephon Gilmore

The Chargers wisely selected two cornerbacks on day three of the NFL Draft, but this remains one of the least-inspiring CB rooms in the league. Fifth-round pick Cam Hart out of Notre Dame didn't allow a single touchdowns last season. He could morph into an improtant player in year one on Jesse Minter's defense.

Still, the disaster signing that was J.C. Jackson leaves the Bolts in a bind at cornerback. Luckily, the Cowboys are dragging their feet on re-signing Stephon Gilmore, who stepped up in a major way after Trevon Diggs suffered a torn ACL two games into the season.

Gilmore is still a menace in single coverage. Locking up A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf were two of Gilmore's more notable feats in 2023. He finished the year with a 73.2 coverage grade and only allowed a 83.3 passer rating when targeted. The 33-year-old would make for a quality addition to LA's secondary.