According to Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus, Los Angeles should prioritize shoring up its interior offensive line, which rated poorly by PFF, with targeted acquisitions such as centers and guards (Linderbaum, Isaac Seumalo, Alijah Vera-Tucker among possibilities). The return of tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt is expected to help, potentially allowing the Chargers to spend more aggressively on interior protection and overall line stability.
Beyond the line, the team could bolster the roster with a dynamic edge presence, tight end help, and more playmaking at receiver. Free-agent targets highlighted include Odafe Oweh (if retained), Trey Hendrickson, or Jaelan Phillips for pass rush; at tight end, names like Kyle Pitts, Isaiah Likely, and David Njoku were noted as potential options to unlock Herbert’s passing game.
In the defensive backfield, adding a veteran presence could be beneficial, with names such as Jaylen Watson, Jamel Dean, Bryan Cook, or Kamren Curl mentioned as possibilities. For more economical options, players like Reed Blankenship or Chidobe Awuzie offer depth without a premium price tag.
Overall, the Chargers’ significant cap space gives them flexibility to pursue multiple impactful upgrades, while internal returns from Slater and Alt could enable more targeted investments at guard, center, and other key positions. If able to pair healthy linemen with high-impact signings, Los Angeles could position itself for a deeper playoff run in 2026. This assessment reflects Locker’s analysis as summarized by Heavy Sports.
