NFL 2018 power rankings countdown No. 10: Los Angeles Chargers
A preview of the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of the 2018 season.
Check back every day for a new 2018 team preview in this year’s NFL power rankings countdown.
Today’s team is the Los Angeles Chargers.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
Keegan’s highest rated player: Joey Bosa, edge rusher
Biggest strength: Pass rush
Biggest weakness: Tight end
Best offseason move: Drafting Derwin James
Worst offseason move: Not drafting a quarterback for the future
Game to circle on calendar: Week 13, at Pittsburgh
Breakout candidate: Forrest Lamp, guard
Key players in contract years: Tyrell Williams, Braedon Bowman, Brandon Mebane, Kyle Emanuel, Denzel Perryman, Hayes Pullard, Jason Verrett and Trevor Williams
Offensive preview
There are no reasons to believe that Philip Rivers will regress this season, the future Hall-of-Famer looks primed for one of his best opportunities to win a Super Bowl yet. The biggest question mark with Rivers will be if he can still dominate despite not having a true number one tight end on his team?
One of the biggest difference makers on offense will be Melvin Gordon, who had his first 1,000-yard rushing season last year. The Chargers’ offensive line will be improved in 2018, and this could lead to even better stats for Gordon. The Chargers will have depth beyond Gordon with Austin Ekeler and rookie Justin Jackson.
Keenan Allen was one of the best receivers in football last season, and as a result he has cemented himself as a premier NFL receiver. The Chargers will have a deep receiving corps this season, and there are reasons to believe that 2017 top-10 pick Mike Williams will show a lot of improvement in 2018.
The Chargers will have one of the weakest batches of tight ends in football this season, due to Hunter Henry‘s season-ending injury and the fact they didn’t re-sign Antonio Gates. The Chargers should seriously consider bringing back Gates, or even signing a free agent tight end if they want Rivers to have a desirable tight end situation this season.
The Chargers could have one of the most improved offensive lines in football this season, thanks to the fact that they will have a healthy Forrest Lamp, and the Mike Pouncey signing as well. This offensive line won’t be dominant (especially in the AFC West), but it will show improvement in 2018.
Defensive preview
One of the weaker parts of the Chargers’ defense will be the interior defensive line. Brandon Mebane and Corey Liuget are starting caliber defensive linemen, but they don’t keep offensive coordinators up at night. These two will be good in run support, but they are not true threats as pass rushers.
The Chargers have two All-Pro caliber pass rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. This is the best pass-rushing tandem in football, and both of these players notched double-digit sacks last year. Don’t be surprised if these two have similar performances over the next few seasons.
The Chargers should have a well-rounded linebacking corps in 2018. They have a lot of young players at linebacker with a ton of room to grow. Denzel Perryman will be a player to watch in 2018.
Los Angeles made one of the best free agent moves of the decade when they brought in Casey Hayward from Green Bay. Hayward was a great player for the Packers, but he has blossomed into one of the premier players at his position in LA.
The fact the Chargers have to deal with another major injury to Jason Verrett won’t help their secondary. They will still be strong at cornerback in 2018 — look to former Iowa cornerback Desmond King as a potential breakout player on this defense.
The Chargers got one of the steals of the first round when Derwin James fell to them. He is a potential rookie of the year candidate and is one of the best safety prospects to come out of college in recent seasons. The pairing of James and Jahleel Addae has a ton of potential, as it will bring a good balance of a polished veteran and rookie sensation.
Coaching staff/front office preview
Anthony Lynn is a young head coach with a lot of potential. This Chargers team showed a ton of improvement in Lynn’s first season with the team and they could be playoff bound (and AFC West champions) in his second season with the team.
Tom Telesco is a Bill Polan disciple who has helped turn this franchise around. The Chargers have been incredibly successful drafters under Telesco. Under his watch the team has drafted players such as Hunter Henry, Jason Verrett, Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon. They have one of the best rosters in football, and Telesco is the person who assembled it.
Overall outlook for 2018
This is the best Chargers roster in a long time, and there is a chance this team makes a Super Bowl run. LA is dramatically under-looked headed into the season.
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Previous teams:
11. Houston Texans
12. Carolina Panthers
13. Tennessee Titans
14. Denver Broncos
15. Dallas Cowboys
16. Kansas City Chiefs
17. Seattle Seahawks
18. New York Giants
19. San Francisco 49ers
20. Indianapolis Colts
21. Detroit Lions
22. Arizona Cardinals
23. Chicago Bears
24. Oakland Raiders
25. Baltimore Ravens
26. Washington Redskins
27. Cleveland Browns
28. Buffalo Bills
29. New York Jets
30. Cincinnati Bengals
31. Miami Dolphins
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers