The Los Angeles Chargers have a clear need to address this offseason: the interior of their offensive line.
Zion Johnson is a free agent, and he will likely be brought back to fill the left guard spot. But both Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton remain cut candidates under a new offensive scheme. The Chargers, therefore, will need to find a new center and right guard either through free agency or the draft.
The draft will yield a number of interesting prospects, but it's unlikely that Los Angeles fills both of these holes through untested means. If there is a premier target available on the open market, expect them to at least poke their nose into a bidding war.
Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens could quickly become this target.
However, the Las Vegas Raiders have similar needs, and their impressive financial flexibility could quickly put Linderbaum out of reach for the Chargers if their bitter rival decides to pursue him.
Raiders present a serious threat to the Chargers' Tyler Linderbaum hopes
It's early in the offseason. Linderbaum could very easily return to Baltimore and make this whole point moot.
However, the Ravens have already declined his fifth-year option, and there does not appear to be any traction on an extension yet. They have a number of financial commitments to be fulfilled this offseason. It is very possible that their remaining $22 million cannot accommodate Linderbaum's return.
If this happens, Los Angeles must be in play for Linderbaum's services. In 2025, Linderbaum finished with the fifth-best overall protecton grade among centers, according to Pro Football Focus. He's made the Pro Bowl three times in his four-year career.
His presence, along with the addition of a right guard, could complete an epic turnaround for the Chargers offensive line.
Yet, as bad as Los Angeles's protection was in 2025, Las Vegas's was worse. The Raiders allowed 64 sacks over the course of the season, boasting one of the league's least productive offenses to boot.
They also possess the second most cap space in the league this offseason, holding roughly five million more than the Chargers. This number might seem insignificant, but it could make a massive difference if it plays into a bidding war for Linderbaum.
Obviously, there are other targets Los Angeles can pursue. Connor McGovern is a free agent as well, and options such as Auburn's Connor Lew exist through the draft. Yet Linderbaum must be their dream target, and the Raiders could be the greatest threat to their chances if he becomes available.