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Every single offseason, there's a team that performs far better than any other. The Los Angeles Chargers were that team this offseason. They addressed their biggest defensive needs by making huge moves to acquire Khalil Mack and JC Jackson, all while reinforcing what was already a championship-caliber offense. With Los Angeles in win-now mode, there are a number of moves that could help improve their roster further after the 2022 NFL Draft.
With that being said, here are three moves the Chargers should make to round out the offseason now that the draft has come and gone.
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Chargers Moves After 2022 NFL Draft
2. Sign Joe Schobert
The one area the Chargers haven't done a great job of addressing is inside linebacker. Former first-round pick Kenneth Murray is looking like a bust after a couple of disappointing seasons to begin his career. The other starter, Drue Tranquill, is better suited as a core special teamer than a starting defender. The weakness at the position is one of the reasons the Chargers were one of, if not the, worst run defense in the entire NFL in 2021.
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The Chargers tried to address the position by signing Troy Reeder in the offseason. Reeder started at linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, but anyone who watched the Rams' defense last year can tell you Reeder's performance was not impressive. He was constantly out of position in pass coverage and wasn't even a particularly good run defender. There's a reason the Rams were happy to let him walk.
Luckily for Los Angeles, there's an easy solution at the position. Linebacker Joe Schobert is still on the market, and he should be willing to sign a cheap deal with the Chargers. 2021 wasn't his best season, but Schobert would still be an instant contributor on this team. He's miles ahead of Tranquill and Murray, and he would provide some veteran leadership to a position group that sorely needs it. Even if he isn't a multi-year solution, Schobert should provide decent play at one of the only positions that the Chargers need improvement at.
1. Sign Matt Paradis
This may seem like an odd signing at first, but it makes a ton of sense. The Chargers have struggled on the offensive line for years, and they need to do everything in their power to make sure that trend doesn't continue. Paradis was the only good lineman on the Carolina Panthers last year, providing them with solid play at center. He wouldn't crack the starting lineup in Los Angeles, but he would provide key depth along the line. Paradis would be able to back up both guard spots and center, all for a relatively cheap price.
As of now, the Chargers don't have solid offensive line depth. To be fair, that is nearly impossible to acquire in a league that is increasingly short on quality linemen. Their backups consist of several guys who have bounced around the NFL for years and former third-rounder Trey Pipkins. Pipkins has seen some action with the Chargers, and the results weren't inspiring. It's clear that Los Angeles needs better depth, especially considering how much pressure quarterback Justin Herbert was under in 2021. Keeping Herbert upright and healthy is the most important thing for this team, so helping out their star quarterback should continue to be a focus.
