Los Angeles Chargers free agency 2019: top 5 targets

1. Sheldon Richardson, DT Minnesota Vikings

Sheldon Richardson‘s first two years of his career couldn’t have gone any better. He won the 2013 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, then he was named to the Pro Bowl in his second season.

After that, it was tough sledding for Richardson. he played for the Jets during the 2015 and 2016 seasons before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2017. He signed a one-year deal last offseason to play for the Minnesota Vikings, where he had a solid season.

Richardson’s value isn’t exuberantly high, and the Chargers will be desperate for a defensive tackle this offseason. Brandon Mebane is a free agent, and the team may look to cut Corey Liuget to relieve them of some salary cap space.

Therefore, signing a proven, consistent defensive tackle is a must. Richardson should be the number one free agent on their list. In 16 games in 2018, he had 4.5 sacks, 49 combined tackles and 16 quarterback hits.

Richardson’s stats may seem inflated due to the talent he was playing alongside with the Vikings. However, that will still be the case with the Chargers, who have Bosa and Ingram firing off the edges.

Since 2013, Richardson ranks top 10 among defensive tackles in solo tackles, assisted tackles and combined tackles. He is also top 20 in quarterback hits, tackles for loss and sacks during that stretch.

No, Richardson isn’t Aaron Donald or even Cameron Heyward, but he is still a solid player who can stop the run and get after the quarterback enough. As said before, his arrival would also benefit Bosa and Ingram.