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ESPN Insider Offseason Priorities: San Diego Chargers

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The San Diego Chargers have a true franchise quarterback and a very strong, young coaching staff. They failed to make the playoffs but also were riddled with injuries down the stretch and just couldn't get the needed Week 17 victory in Kansas City to ensure a postseason birth.

The Chargers aren't going away any time soon, and a strong offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball, could land them right back into the playoffs. Here are their top priorities:

1. Add a speed wide receiver -- possibly Torrey Smith

Rivers needs help on the perimeter. Keenan Allen is an excellent young player, but he isn't going to be confused with receivers such as Julio Jones or Dez Bryant in terms of his physical abilities. This group of wideouts doesn't have a player who has the pure deep speed to truly threaten defenses downfield. Rivers might not have quite the arm strength he once did, but it wasn't long ago he was among the best deep passers in the league.

Ravens WR Torrey Smith is an upcoming unrestricted free agent who would fit the bill perfectly. It wouldn't hurt to get tight end Ladarius Green and his big-play attributes more involved in the offense, either.

2. Upgrade the interior offensive line

Nick Hardwick has been a very solid starting center for quite a while, but he is a free agent-to-be and has battled injuries. San Diego might bring him back on a team-friendly, one-year deal, but regardless, adding more help to the interior offensive line is a must. San Diego should look to add a right tackle/guard type, a center who can also possibly play guard and maybe yet another lineman for good measure. Rivers has amazing pocket awareness and movement, but he needs the big guys directly in front of him to play better. The Chargers could look to take a lineman with the No. 17 overall pick in the draft.

3. Make a decision at running back

Unlike many out there, I am a big fan of Ryan Mathews, who is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason. As talented as Mathews is and how much better the offense is with him in the game, you can't trust him to stay healthy. Branden Oliver proved he belongs in the rotation, but he isn't a lead guy in the NFL, and Donald Brown has been very pedestrian since the Chargers invested in him the past offseason. Danny Woodhead also returns from injury but is a niche player.

At the right price, bringing Mathews back makes sense, but this is also a very strong running back draft class, and that might be San Diego's best course of action, considering what they still have at the position.

4. Solidify the secondary

The Chargers used their first-round pick on cornerback Jason Verrett, and he looks like a keeper, though he spent the final chunk of the season on injured reserve. Brandon Flowers was a huge upgrade for San Diego from a year ago after they pounced on him after he was released by Kansas City, but he is now a free agent. Re-signing the soon-to-be 29-year-old should be San Diego's top free-agent goal.

Flowers, Verrett and Eric Weddle would form a solid foundation of the secondary, but the Chargers also need more here, especially with Marcus Gilchrist's contract up after this season. A cornerback with size is a much-needed addition.

Offseason fixes for San Diego Chargers - NFL - ESPN
By Matt Williamson
 
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