How the Chargers free agent signings affect their 2022 NFL Draft strategy

LA Chargers round 3 strategy

Positions to watch: LB, IOL, EDGE, CB 

The Chargers and Kyzir White seem likely to part ways at this point, and in a year with a deep linebacker class, day two could be a great place to find one. Names like Chad Muma, Troy Andersen, Brian Asamoah, and Damone Clarke come to mind as potential round three linebacker targets.

In the case that Kyzir White is re-signed, this could be the range where the Chargers can go back to the well for some depth at high-value positions, or look to the trenches for contributors. The Chargers could potentially address the right guard position in a player like Dylan Parham who eased weight concerns at the combine by weighing in at 311 pounds.

Parham proved to be effective both as a pass protector, and a run blocker in his time at Memphis, and also showed positional versatility. In 2020 he earned a 90.6 PFF grade at right tackle and allowed only one sack. The other direction could be to invest at EDGE in the case of a good player falling, or a cornerback to bolster depth.

Those prospects would be entering position rooms with great players to mentor them, and have an excellent defensive coaching staff to develop their talents. Martin Emerson of Mississippi State and Coby Bryant of Cincinnati are two cornerbacks that have legitimate starter potential on the outside, and it is a very long season.

A lack of depth in the secondary can not keep hurting the Chargers, and during a combine interview, Brandon Staley stated that cornerback would always be a position they would target as long as he is the head coach.