Chargers Continue to Add More Pieces in Free Agency as Draft Approaches
Ahead of the NFL Draft, the Chargers’ roster undergoes tweaks and shares a newer look as the second wave of free agency pushes on.
By Austin Gage | Contributing Sports Writer
With just under 21 days until the beginning of the NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers have made their best effort in upgrading their roster.
Entering free agency, which officially began March 12th, the Chargers shared the second-most cap space in the entire league, trailing only the New England Patriots.
Before that date, however, teams are allowed to contact and negotiate contracts with agents of players who are unrestricted free agents. Because of this, Los Angeles already welcomed new faces to the franchise that would officially be announced later. Some of these names included a pair of former Pittsburgh Steelers in running back Najee Harris and cornerback Donte Jackson.
The Bolts resigned key players as well before that date. Star edge rusher Khalil Mack, defensive tackle Teair Tart, center Bradley Bozeman and punter J.K. Scott all signed deals to return to the franchise.
After the first wave, the playoff contenders looked externally for more upgrades as they started to use more of the large amount of cap room they possessed.
Another cornerback signing was in the cards for the Bolts as they signed Benjamin St-Juste to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. A third-round selection in 2021 to the Washington Commanders, St-Juste brings much-needed depth to the Chargers’ secondary. A big body at 6 ‘3 and 200 pounds, he is a bigger corner coming off a season with Washington that concluded with an NFC Championship Game appearance. Despite some inconsistencies in his four-year career, St-Juste has flashed potential, evidenced by his 17 pass breakups in 2023 which ranked fourth in the entire NFL. Paired with the signing of Jackson, the addition of St-Juste notes the organization’s willingness to be aggressive in the secondary this offseason.
On the same day, Los Angeles brought back a fan favorite and one of its best players over the past decade. After losing wide receiver Mike Williams last offseason as the former first-rounder left for the New York Jets (and was traded to Pittsburgh midseason), the Chargers decided to reunite Williams with star quarterback Justin Herbert. Almost a complete year after his release, Williams signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the franchise that drafted him in 2017 to return and give the offense a big deep threat that they missed at times. In Williams’ first stint with Los Angeles, he totaled 309 passes for 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns. He looks to add to an improving receiving core that includes the likes of last year’s star rookie Ladd McConkey and former first-rounder Quintin Johnston.
Also on the offensive side of the ball, the Bolts added needed offensive line depth to a group that dealt with injuries at times last season. First, they added former first-round offensive guard Mekhi Becton on a two-year, $20 million contract to fill in holes in the interior offensive line. Becton, who showed promise with the New York Jets early in his career and played a big role for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles this past season, provides height, strength, and a physical frame. A few days later, center Andre James, formerly a part of the division rival Las Vegas Raiders, reached an agreement with the Chargers to add another big body for Herbert and the offense to work with.
More depth acquisition appeared in the form of newly signed tight end Tyler Conklin as well. The veteran, who has contributed 263 catches for 2,544 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career playing for the Minnesota Vikings and Jets, enters a tight end room alongside fellow veteran Will Dissly.
Although the Chargers brought in offensive playmakers in free agency, it seems like they are not finished in upgrading that group. Cap space paired with the upcoming draft should answer questions some may hold regarding the strength of Herbert’s group of weapons.
Additionally, backing up Herbert at quarterback, veteran Taylor Heinicke returned to the team.
The rest of the free agency signings included more defensive help. Defensive linemen Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones agreed to terms with the franchise at a group a bit thinner with the departures of former starters such as edge rusher Joey Bosa and defensive tackle Poona Ford. 28-year-old linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips also joined Los Angeles in free agency, and his special teams prowess will certainly aid the Chargers after stellar play in that phase across his career and for his former team, the Houston Texans.
Although free agency extends into April, most NFL heads will turn their attention to the NFL Draft. For the Bolts, their strategy starts with pick 22 in the first round. They possess a selection in each round, one through seven, and notably hold four total in the sixth round.
Needs along the defensive line, offensive line and in the pass-catching group loom large for Los Angeles. Although some of those positions have been addressed in free agency, more should come in late April in Green Bay.
The roster will surely look different in just over a month as the calendar transitions into the summer months, marking the looming presence of training camps and eventual preseason after rookie mini-camps and other offseason events.
