San Diego Chargers: 2012 Free Agents That Could Improve Team

The San Diego Chargers sure seem to be rebuilding their team quickly on the back of Philip Rivers. Though many thought that the window for the Chargers was closing after L.T. lost his magic in 2008, Philip Rivers has risen above many people expectations to make the Chargers relevant.

If the Chargers are to maintain their era of dominance in the AFC West, and continue fighting for that Super Bowl birth, they are going to need some more veteran help.

Here are a few free agent pick-ups the Chargers can make next to help aid their run in the playoffs. 

Marques Colston

Though he has been pegged as injury prone, Marques Colston would be a dynamic addition the to Chargers offense. With Vincent Jackson looking for a top three WR contract, it is very doubtful that the Chargers are going to keep him. If they were going to, A.J. Smith would have already resigned him to a multi-year contract. 

Colston is a prototypical receiver for the Bolts (6'4", 225) and would be a great weapon for Rivers to use down the field. The Saints, with a cast of more than serviceable wide receivers (Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, and Lance Moore), look unwilling to resign Colston because of his large contract and injury concerns.

The Chargers will be able to grab Marques Colston for much cheaper than Vincent Jackson. These two receivers have basically the same skill set and the Chargers would be willing to trade injury concerns (Colston) for off-field/locker room problems (Jackson). 

Jim Leonhard

Though the addition of Bob Sanders to the Chargers roster was more than welcome in the eyes of Charger fans, he is by no means the long-term solution at strong safety. A cheap, more reliable, solution can be found in Jim Leonhard of the New York Jets, who will become a free agent at the end of this season.

Leonhard has anchored has anchored Rex Ryan's defense in Baltimore and New York over the last three seasons. The four year starter will be available on the cheap, considering his talent level.

I would love to see Weddle and Leonhard, two safeties that have incredible football smarts, flying around in the Charger secondary.

Now, if Sanders can stay healthy, I will re-track these statements and propose that we resign him to a two to three year deal. 

Johnny Jolly

Though Antonio Garay has been unstoppable in the middle of the Chargers' defensive line, his contract will be up at the end of this season and I do not see us re-signing the 32-year-old vet. With that said I, I feel that Johnny Jolly (28 years old) would be a welcomed addition the Chargers' team.

Jolly does have some off the field issues, though, and is currently under suspension for multiple drug charges. Usually the Chargers stay away from these types of players, but Jolly could help anchor that defensive line, which has been in flux ever since Igor Olshansky and Jamal Williams left. 

It looks like the Green Bay packers will not resign Jolly, given off his drug problems and the emergence of B.J. Raji. The Chargers will be able to get him relatively cheap given that some teams will stay away from Jolly due to his record.