The San Diego Chargers Must Commit to Getting over the Hump in 2015

The balance of power in the AFC West is slowly going to shift over the next two years, and when it does, the San Diego Chargers are in position to seize control. That’s because they have quarterback Philip Rivers, who will become the best quarterback in the division as soon as Peyton Manning retires.

A quarterback like Rivers without Manning in the way should produce routine playoff appearances. With the expectations like that, the Chargers must commit to giving Rivers the help he deserves in 2015 and beyond.

Since Rivers is 33, now is the time for the Chargers to bring in the support. No one knows when Rivers’ play will decline significantly, so it’s imperative for the team to take advantage while he's still in his prime.

Resources

One of the problems with going for it all or fully committing to something in the NFL is how it can backfire. Free agents are often expensive and older than a draft pick would be, and there’s a reason they are typically available.  

Data via overthecap.com

It’s a risk the Chargers should be willing to take to give Rivers the help he needs. According to overthecap.com, the Chargers have $25.4 million in cap space in 2015. That total includes just $461,000 in dead money.

By 2016, the Chargers have the least amount of money committed toward their roster at $50.5 million. The Chargers have done a fantastic job managing the salary cap, so they have the resources to go out and get players they want.

What’s the point of having a bunch of salary cap space if the team isn’t willing to spend it to get the team over the hump? It’s certainly important to be selective in free agency, but the Chargers should focus on where they will get their biggest bang for their buck.

Wide Receiver

It was no secret the Chargers wanted a wide receiver to stretch the field opposite Keenan Allen last season. Eddie Royal and the return of Malcom Floyd helped smooth things over to some extent, but it was clear all season Rivers lacked a playmaker on offense.

Tight end Antonio Gates is another year older. Rivers has been able to get good production out of Gates over the last two years, but he isn’t the dominant player he once was. Gates still boxes out and makes tough catches, but beyond that he’s a limited player.

Wide receiver is a good position to target in free agency because it typically takes rookies time to adjust to the NFL level. Recently that hasn’t been true, but NFL teams shouldn’t expect Allen or the 2014 class of wide receivers to be the norm.

No one is quite sure which top receivers will hit the market in 2015, but the Chargers should certainly be interested in Randall Cobb. If not, Jeremy Maclin or another top receiver would make ideal targets.

Offensive Line

If Rivers doesn’t get better protection, it might not matter how good a receiver the Chargers find to play alongside Allen. The last three years are good evidence as to what Rivers needs to be successful.  

Three years ago, Rivers took 49 sacks. The Chargers brought in King Dunlap and Chad Rinehart in free agency, drafted D.J. Fluker, and successfully stabilized the offensive line in 2013.

USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Rivers was again dealing with a lot of pressure, but instead of taking sacks, he threw a league-high 18 interceptions. That was tied with Jay Cutler, who had a nearly identical season as Rivers.

The good news is the Chargers have stabilized the offensive line in free agency before, and now they have more resources to do so. Bringing in a guard or sliding Fluker inside to guard and finding a tackle with quicker feet in pass protection are both options.

Dunlap is also a free agent, so the Chargers will have to re-sign him just to maintain the status quo at left tackle. Orlando Franklin, Davin Joseph and Mike Iupati could all be all options at guard assuming Fluker stays outside.

It won’t take much to get the offensive line fixed. The bad injury luck at center should finally be over, which will help stabilize the entire unit. Still, the Chargers have to find someone who is capable of filling Nick Hardwick’s shoes.

Running Backs

Last offseason, it seemed Donald Brown was going to be the lead back in 2015. Year 1 of his contract was modest, but his salary cap number jumps up to over $4 million in 2015 as Ryan Mathews’ contract comes off the books. Now it looks like re-signing Mathews is a priority, as well as bringing in another running back to share the load.

There is no shortage of running backs on the market, but as we’ve learned over the last several years, veteran running backs are typically damaged goods. The lone exception this year is Mathews and C.J. Spiller.

Spiller is just 27, and he has averaged 5.0 yards per carry and 7.6 yards per reception in his career. He has injury concerns, but that also means he has just 668 carries in his career.

Although Spiller replicates some of what Danny Woodhead brings to the table, he does such with much more upside. If the Chargers want to replace Mathews, Spiller is a worthy upgrade.

Defense

The Chargers still need to work on their defense this offseason. They need help in the secondary, at linebacker and up front. A strong defense will protect Rivers from having to throw more passes than he should need to throw.

Donald Butler was a huge disappointment at inside linebacker in 2015, and the team should ensure it has an alternative if he can’t turn things around in 2015. The bigger focus has to be on adding a pass-rusher to help the secondary.

Dwight Freeney is a free agent, so that leaves a huge hole at outside linebacker. Even if Freeney comes back, the Chargers can no longer count on him to be a huge factor. Two premier pass-rushers in Brian Orakpo and Jerry Hughes will be free agents in March. Orakpo is almost certainly going to hit the market and would be the perfect target for the Chargers.

Melvin Ingram needs help. The Chargers must find him a partner in crime in 2015. Freeney might be able to get healthy and contribute again, but at his age, general manager Tom Telesco would be foolish to rely on him.

It won’t be hard to upgrade at cornerback. Shareece Wright was dreadful in 2014 and he’s a free agent. Options abound to replace him as the team’s third cornerback, but re-signing Brandon Flowers will be a priority.

Flowers played great in San Diego’s defense in 2014. When paired with second-year cornerback Jason Verrett, Flowers gives the Chargers a good starting duo.

With a few splashy signing here and there this offseason, the Chargers could be ready to push for the division crown. They have the resources, a quarterback toward the end of his prime and the opportunity to dominate the AFC West post Manning.

Now it's time for Telesco to get it done.