Chargers have potential new OL target in recently-released first-round pick

The LA Chargers have done a wonderful job at rebuilding the offensive line since Brandon Staley has taken over head coaching duties. Justin Herbert had to play behind one of the worst offensive lines in the sport in 2020 and heading into 2023, the team could have one of the best.

The likes of Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Corey Linsley, Jamaree Salyer and Trey Pipkins are starting for the Bolts in 2023. The best part isn't that this is a solid unit, it is that this unit has been locked in for at least the next three years. This gives the Chargers a sense of continuity on the offensive line that has been absent for a long, long time.

While the starting offensive line is solid, the Bolts could still use some more depth in the case of injuries. Injuries are unavoidable in the NFL and having depth options that can fill in and keep the season afloat are very important. The Chargers drafted Clemson's Jordan McFadden in the 2023 NFL Draft to help in that regard but it is not enough.

If the Chargers have the chance to add quality depth to the offensive line they should not pass on it. The team now has that chance with Germain Ifedi, who was recently released by the Atlanta Falcons after one year with the team.

Germain Idefi would be a solid depth option for the Chargers' offensive line

The last two seasons have not been kind to Ifedi and that is ultimately what led to him being released. He battled injuries in each of the last two seasons and was thus unable to put together a full season. When he did play, he could not recapture the 2020 form that he had with the Chicago Bears.

That being said, Ifedi is still under 30 years old, is a former first-round pick and has shown the potential to be a solid option on the right side of the offensive line. The Chargers would not be trusting him to start because of the last two years, but as a depth option, he could be overqualified and keep the season from being derailed if someone gets hurt.

As pointed out in Steven Haglund's tweet above, Ifedi has shown the ability to play both guard and tackle on the right side. Having that kind of versatility in a depth offensive lineman is massive as it simply gives the team more options in the case of an injury.

The Chargers could play Ifedi at right tackle if they needed to or could even play Ifedi at guard and Salyer at right tackle if they thought that was the safer route.

Signing someone with a lot of starting experience at both right guard and right tackle at this point in the offseason would be a blessing, especially for the extremely cheap cost. Having someone like Ifedi is better than relying on someone like Foster Sarell to come in and provide quality snaps.

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