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Los Angeles Chargers: Top free agency, NFL draft needs for 2017

By The Sports Xchange
San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) gives a blocking assignment at the line in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California on December 24, 2015. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 23-20 in overtime. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) gives a blocking assignment at the line in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California on December 24, 2015. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 23-20 in overtime. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

Los Angeles Chargers breakdown: Free agency, draft shopping list

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As they wade through free agency and prepare to evaluate draft prospects at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine (March 1-6), the Los Angeles Chargers must decide which players to keep as they seek to improve upon their 5-11 record from last season

The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com evaluated the Chargers' roster and created a shopping list to use in free agency and to reference during the Combine.

Is it fair to say one of the team's needs will be fans? The Chargers have their work cut out with their move to Los Angeles, as they will play in a 30,000-seat stadium that necessitated high ticket prices. The adjustment could prove difficult.

On the field, the offseason goal will be to upgrade the offensive line to help quarterback Philip Rivers while implementing a switch to a 4-3 defense with the arrival of Gus Bradley as coordinator.

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THE BREAKDOWN

2016 finish: 4th in AFC West (5-11)

STATISTICS

TOTAL OFFENSE: 356.8 (14th)

RUSHING: 94.4 (26th)

PASSING: 262.4 (8th)

TOTAL DEFENSE: 347.1 (16th)

RUSHING: 97.9 (10th)

PASSING: 249.2 (20th)

NEEDS, SHOPPING LIST

&=Released

*=Vet who may be released or option not exercised

TOP THREE NEEDS

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

In addition to off-field issues, King Dunlap has a body that can't be counted on at left tackle to protect the team's most precious asset, and one that is aging: quarterback Philip Rivers. Upgrades are needed here. The edges weren't sharp, and in the AFC West, that is a recipe for sacks. The Chargers also might have to swallow some coin to improve on right tackle Joe Barksdale.

UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)

Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati (36 in December, $9M)

*Russell Okung, Denver (29 in October, $10.6M)

Rick Wagner, Baltimore (28 in October, $576K)

Luke Joeckel, Jacksonville (G; 26 in November, $5.3M))

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/14 Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin, 6-5, 314, 5.29, 1 (underclassman)

2/25 Cam Robinson, Alabama, 6-6, 310, 5.28, 1 (underclassman)

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3/38 Garett Bolles, Utah, 6-5, 296, 4.97, 1-2 (underclassman)

4/53 Taylor Moton, Western Michigan, 6-5, 330, 5.31, 2

5/59 Roderick Johnson, Florida State, 6-6, 308, 5.34, 2 (underclassman)

CORNERBACK

On paper, the Chargers look good. However, Jason Verrett isn't "Ironman," and Brandon Flowers likely has taken his last snap. The unit is thin.

UFA TARGETS (Age, 2016 salary)

A.J. Bouye, Houston (26 in August, $1.67M)

Trumaine Johnson, L.A. Rams (27, $13.95M)

Logan Ryan, New England (26, $693K)

Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo (27 in September, $3.02M)

Brandon Carr, Dallas (31 in May, $10M)

Prince Amukamara, Jacksonville (28 in June, $5.5M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/10 Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State, 6-0, 195, 4.47, 1 (underclassman)

2/15 Teez Tabor, Florida, 6-0, 201, 4.50, 1 (underclassman)

3/21 Marlon Humphrey, Alabama, 6-1, 196, 4.49, 1 (underclassman)

4/23 Sidney Jones, Washington, 6-0, 181, 4.49, 1 (underclassman)

5/34 Desmond King, Iowa, 5-11, 206, 4.53, 1-2

DEFENSIVE END

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In switching from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3 under new coordinator Gus Bradley, the end position needs some attention opposite standout Joey Bosa. Darius Philon is the only other end on the roster, and his skills don't include providing a pass rush off the edge. Bosa will get some additional help.

UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)

Jason Pierre-Paul, N.Y. Giants (28, $10M)

Calais Campbell, Arizona (DT; 31 in September, $11M)

Jabaal Sheard, New England (28 in May, $5.5M)

&Mario Williams, Miami (32, $8.5M)

Charles Johnson, Carolina (31 in July, $3M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., Proj. Rd.)

1/1 Myles Garrett, Texas AM, 6-4, 268, 1 (underclassman)

2/3 Solomon Thomas, Stanford, 6-2, 275, 1 (underclassman)

3/17 Derek Barnett, Tennessee, 6-3, 265, 1 (underclassman)

4/28 Taco Charlton, Michigan, 6-5, 272, 1

5/32 Charles Harris, Missouri, 6-3, 255, 4.74, 1-2 (underclassman)

UFA KEEPERS

LB/DE Melvin Ingram (28 in April, $2.1M)

S Jahleel Addae (27, $2.55M)

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DL Damion Square (28, $725K)

RB Danny Woodhead (32, $2.75M)

ROSTER REVIEW

MAJOR COACHING UPDATE

--Head coach Anthony Lynn replaces Mike McCoy.

--DC Gus Bradley replaces John Pagano.

DEPTH CHART

Starters and backups are listed according to their status at the end of the season, but players who were starters before being injured are included.

* Indicates player who ended 2016 season on reserve.

& Indicates player released since the Super Bowl.

QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Philip Rivers. Backup -- Kellen Clemens (UFA).

RUNNING BACKS: Starter -- *Melvin Gordon. Backups -- *Danny Woodhead (UFA), *Branden Oliver, FB Derek Watt, *Kenneth Farrow, Ronnie Hillman (UFA), Andre Williams, *Dexter McCluster (UFA).

TIGHT ENDS: Starters -- Antonio Gates, Hunter Henry. Backups -- Sean McGrath, Asante Cleveland, *Jeff Cumberland (UFA).

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- *Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams. Backups -- Travis Benjamin, *Stevie Johnson, Dontrelle Inman, *Javontee Herndon.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT King Dunlap, LG Orlando Franklin, C Matt Slauson, RG D.J. Fluker, RT Joe Barksdale. Backups -- T Tyreek Burwell, G/T Kenny Wiggins, G/T Chris Hairston, C/G Spencer Pulley, *G Donavon Clark, *T Tyler Johnstone.

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DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- DLE Joey Bosa, *NT Brandon Mebane, DRE Corey Liuget. Backups -- DLE Darius Philon, NT Damion Square (UFA), DRE Kaleb Eulls, *NT Sean Lissemore (UFA), *DT Caraun Reid, *DT Zamir Carlis, *NT Tenny Palepoi.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- OLB Melvin Ingram (UFA), ILB Denzel Perryman, *ILB Manti Te'o (UFA), OLB Kyle Emanuel. Backups -- OLB Tourek Williams (UFA), OLB Christopher Landrum, ILB Jatavis Brown, ILB Korey Toomer, ILB Joshua Perry, *ILB Nick Dzubnar, *OLB Jerry Attaochu.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- *LCB Jason Verrett, *RCB Brandon Flowers, FS Dwight Lowery, SS Jahleel Addae (UFA). Backups -- RCB Casey Hayward, RCB Trevor Williams, LCB Trovon Reed, LCB Craig Mager, RCB Robert McClain, SS Adrian Phillips, FS Darrell Stuckey, FS Dexter McCoil.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Josh Lambo, P Drew Kaser, KOR/PR Isaiah Burse, LS Mike Windt (UFA).

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