The Chargers came into the 2019 season with high expectations after a 12-4 2018 season. Well, instead they went 5-11 good for last in the AFC West and now they will be in a situation they haven’t been in for 14 years. Who is going to be playing quarterback?

Los Angles Chargers Key Additions:

CB: Chris Harris Jr

The Chargers already had one of the best secondaries in the NFL and Harris only makes them better. He will be playing alongside Desmond King and Casey Hayward.

OL: Bryan Bulaga, Trai Turner

As the Chargers transition from Philip Rivers, their top priority should be keeping their new franchise QB healthy. They did that by adding both Bulaga and Turner. They did have to trade Russell Okung to the Panthers to get Turner, but adding one of the better guards in the game and then adding one of the best pass-protecting tackles via free agency is a win for this team.

LB: Nick Vigil

After losing Thomas Davis and Jatavis Brown in free agency, the Chargers reloaded with Vigil, who had 111 tackles last season with the Bengals.

DT: Linval Joseph

After letting go Brandon Mebane, the Chargers had an immediate need at DT. Joseph has seen his playing time and production go down due to injuries but this is a cheap signing for a guy with a high upside.

Key Draft Picks:

Round 1, Pick 6: QB Justin Herbert

The Chargers were in desperate need of a new franchise QB, and they got their man with the sixth pick in the draft. I think that Herbert has the most upside of all the QBs drafted, but he also has a very low floor. He is very similar to Jared Goff to me. He is incredibly talented throwing the football but is not the most athletic player.

Round 1, Pick 23: LB Kenneth Murray

As I said earlier, the Chargers LB room was depleted in free agency. But as I also said, they reloaded in a big way. They traded up to draft Murray at pick number 23. Murray is a very athletic, old-school type of player. He has tremendous tackling ability and when he hit you, he hits you hard. Sometimes he is a little to aggressive which can cause some missed tackles in space but once he settles into the speed of the NFL, I think he will be a great player for this team.

Round 4, Pick 112: RB Joshua Kelley

Round 5, Pick 151: WR Joe Reed

Round 6, Pick 186: S Alohi Gilman

Round 7, Pick 220: WR K.J. Hill

Season Outlook:

Offense

The Chargers have a very talented offensive unit this season. They will be doing that thing where they pretend that Tyrod Taylor is their starting QB while they sit Herbert to “learn.”

At the running back, Austin Ekeler became the team’s RB1 after the departure of Melvin Gordon and a four-year deal extension. He is coming off a year where he was seven yards short of 1,000 receiving yards and rushed for 557 yards. He will be the perfect weapon for their new franchise QB. At receiver, Keenan Allen is coming off a season with 1,196 yards and six touchdowns. Mike Williams is starting to become the star they envisioned, coming off his first 1,000-yard season.

Tight end Hunter Henry is coming off a career-high 652 yards recieving and will be a big target for the Chargers. As I said, the offensive line went through a makeover. The team added pro bowlers Trai Turner and Bryan Bulaga, to anchor their right side of the line. They also get pro bowl center Mike Pouncey back from his neck injury. 

Defense

In 2019, the Chargers defense was top five against the pass and was a decent, but not great run defense. That is why the team added defensive tackle Linval Joseph and Kenneth Murray in the draft. At defensive end, the Chargers feature one of the best pass-rushing duos in the game with Joey Bosa, who became the highest-paid defensive player ever, and Melvin Ingram. Both players are coming off pro bowl seasons.

The cornerback are led by Casey Hayward and Chris Harris Jr., who are both pro bowlers. At safety, the Chargers suffered a big blow with the season-ending injury of Derwin James, they will have to look to Desmond King and Rayshawn Jenkins to fill the hole left by James. Even without James, this is still one of the most talented groups in the NFL.

Win Total: 7.5

I have the Chargers in the 8-10 win range. They are way too talented to have a repeat of the 5-11 2019 season. We could see them lose some games early because of the apparent need to have Taylor start at QB, but overall, this is one of the most talented teams in the NFL.

Fantasy Player To Watch: Austin Eckler

Eckler is now the teams number one running back. Not only is he a threat running the ball, but he was damn near a 1,000-yard receiver. He can beat you multiple ways which is the recipe for a great fantasy selection.