The NFL Playoffs are still over a month away, but prognosticators are already mapping out how the Los Angeles Chargers‘ second offseason under Jim Harbaugh will play out. Bleacher Report released their prediction for where several of the Chargers top free agents will land and they think those players will be on the move.
Chargers Predicted To Lose 3 Defenders In Free Agency
The BR scouting team predicts that the Chargers will lose cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton and the teams top edge rusher Khalil Mack.
The writers expect Mack to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to bolster their young and developing pass rush corp.
This would leave LA with a massive deficit to make up. While Joey Bosa and Tuli Tuipilotu are still under contract for next season, neither has risen to the level of Mack. Bosa has been hurt and Tuipulotu is growing into a bigger role, but the Chargers pass rush remains in the bottom tier of the league , with a 28th ranked 18 percent pressure percentage.
They also have Samuel Jr. going to the Chicago Bears to be paired with Jaylon Johnson and the Green Bay Packers yet against attempting to solve backend issues with Fulton.
The Chargers could conceivably be ok losing one of these players but not both. They would have to use serious capital to rebuild if this scenario comes to pass, whether on other free agents or in the draft.
The Chargers do have two rookies that have show plenty of promise in limited roles this season. Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still have played well when injury has reared its ugly head in the cornerback room, but there is nothing as important as experience at this position in the NFL.
If the team does lose both, they could target DJ Reed or Charvarius Ward in free agency.
