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Los Angeles Chargers: 5 offseason needs

By Brad Weiss

Nov 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half at NRG Stadium. San Diego Chargers won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half at NRG Stadium. San Diego Chargers won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) is carted off of the field after an injury during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) is carted off of the field after an injury during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Add depth at the WR position

It seems like star wideout Keenan Allen always finds himself in the training room, and the 2016 NFL season was no different. Coming back from an injury the year before, Allen tore his ACL in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, and would be relegated to the sideline for the rest of the season. He can no longer be considered a building block for the franchise, and the team needs to bring in some talent just in case he gets injured again next season.

Players like Travis Benjamin, Dontrelle Inman, and Tyrell Williams played well in spurts last season, and Williams may actually become a very good player in the league. However, with Allen’s future uncertain, the Chargers do not have a clear WR1 on their roster heading into next season, though they could fill that role during the draft. There is a real possibility that Mike Williams of Clemson will be available at No. 7, and if he is, he could blossom into the big star the Chargers are going to need in La La Land.

Despite getting up there in age, quarterback Philip Rivers is still one of the better signal-callers in the game. He needs someone with star power to throw the ball to next season, as his main target, Antonio Gates is also getting a bit long in the tooth. The Chargers have been known as a passing team for as long as I can remember, and they are going to have to play that game if they wish to be successful in 2017.

During the preseason, Stevie Johnson was also injured, and he is expected to be back next season. The Chargers have all of their wide receivers under contract, so there may be some cap casualties as they bring in new talent. Expect them to keep Benjamin and Williams on the roster next season, and with a healthy Allen returning, one more big-time wideout is all they will need to be electric in the passing game.