The Chargers Top Free Agent Targets
The Los Angeles Chargers have a number of needs as the free agent market opens up. Throughout the 2019 season they struggled against the run and failed to consistently clog up running lanes in the middle of the line.
Whoever lines up under center next season only has a few reliable options in the passing game and having an extra tight end may take some of the pressure off of him.
This free agent class may answer some roster concerns but there will still be much more work to do.
Shelby Harris – NT, 6’2”, 290 lbs
The 2014 seventh-round pick out of Illinois State University is coming off a career year with the Denver Broncos. He recorded a career high six sacks and 49 tackles in 2019. He was fantastic against the pass as well, deflecting an incredible nine passes in 2019.
Vernon Butler – DT, 6’4”, 330 lbs
The 2016 first-round pick out of Louisiana Tech has not lived up to the lofty expectations of a high draft pick. However, he is coming off a career-best six sacks and 32 tackles, with the Carolina Panthers, which is by far the most he has produced since entering the NFL. He also forced three fumbles and recovered two.
Kyle Van Noy – LB, 6’3”, 250 lbs
He has proven to be one the smartest players on the New England Patriots defense since being traded in 2016. The 2019 season was a down year for him as he only recorded 56 tackles but he did collect a career high 6.5 sacks along with seven tackles for loss. The 2018 season may have been his most productive year as he recorded a career high 92 tackles.
Cory Littleton – LB, 6’3”, 228 lbs
Littleton has been a tackling machine for the Los Angeles Rams. In the past two years he has recorded an incredible 259 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He was invited to his only Pro Bowl in 2018.
Tyler Eifert – TE, 6’6”, 255 lbs
Eifert is not a coveted tight end as a starter but can be used effectively as a reserve. Last year he was targeted 63 times and successfully caught 43 of those passes for 436 yards and three touchdowns. His best year was 2015 when he was invited to his only Pro Bowl after receiving 13 touchdowns.
NFL Tight End Tyler Eifert. Photo Credit: Navin75 | Under Creative Commons License