NFL Free Agency: Why the San Diego Chargers Are Most Improved Team So Far

After losing wide receiver Vincent Jackson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the opening minutes of free agency, things looked grim for the San Diego Chargers. But over the next day-and-a-half, general manager A.J. Smith went to work and has significantly improved his roster. Maybe as much as any team in the NFL.

While the Bucs have made the biggest splash, signing Jackson, All-Pro guard Carl Nicks and cornerback Eric Wright, the Chargers have gone out and made fantastic deals that may not get huge headlines but will certainly improve the team on the field and in the locker room.

The first order of business was to find a deep threat to replace Jackson. They quickly signed former New Orleans Saints receiver Robert Meachem to a four-year, $25.9 million deal with $14 million in guarantees.

While Meachem isn't Jackson, his sub-4.4 speed should help stretch defenses and open up things underneath for the team's other receivers. He also comes at about half the price of Jackson, which gave the team the flexibility to make other moves. 

The Chargers then locked up left tackle Jared Gaither with a four-year deal worth $24.6 million. Gaither gives the team an exceptionally talented left tackle, and San Diego is obviously hoping he performs at the level he did during his five-game stint with the team in 2011. 

San Diego then addressed its thin linebacking corps by landing Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Jarret Johnson with a four-year, $19 million contract. Johnson is not a guy who puts up big numbers, but he is one of the best run-stuffing linebackers in the NFL and is a true blue-collar player and a real leader on the field and in the locker room. 

The team is incredibly lucky to have landed a guy of Johnson's character. While he may not be a pass-rushing guy off the edge, the Chargers can sub Antwan Barnes in on passing downs to get after the quarterback along with Shaun Phillips. 

Johnson will provide the team with a huge boost, particularly on a defense that lost its edge over the last few seasons.

Finally, San Diego went out and snagged fullback/running back Le'Ron McClain to a three-year deal worth $8.25 million. McClain is a two-time Pro Bowler who fancies himself as a big running back, but while he may get some carries with the Chargers, he's almost certainly coming on board as the team's starting fullback. 

McClain is another guy who is a leader on and off the field, and he should give the team a streak of toughness on offense that they've lacked in recent years. It is also inestimable how much McClain will help the development of running back Ryan Mathews. He could have the same impact on the Fresno State product that Lorenzo Neal had on a young LaDainian Tomlinson.

The Chargers are also interested in signing former Denver Broncos receiver Eddie Royal to be the team's fourth wideout and punt returner.They are also still in the hunt to re-sign running back Mike Tolbert.

While things looked bad when Jackson left, Smith deserves credit for rebuilding his roster with tough, solid guys both on and off the field. The Chargers are a markedly better team today than they were before free agency opened.