• Free agency summary: The Chargers chose not to make a big fuss in free agency, with veteran LB Eric Kendricks topping his class.
• Best play of the offseason: Look to Quentin Johnston to make a quick impact in an effort to inject youth and athleticism into skill positions.
• Outlook for 2023: The Chargers made up for an uninspiring free agent class with a solid draft and will need big results from several rookies to move forward.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
As the dust settles on the NFL Offseason 2023it’s time to assess how each team fared in their quest to improve their roster.
Recapping successful trades and high-profile signings for shrewd draft picks, PFF offers a detailed assessment of all 32 NFL teams, shedding light on the potential impact these moves can have on their fortunes next season.
For more information on each team’s draft picks and offseason moves, Download the PFF Preview Guide today!
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS OFF-SEASON GRADE: A-
NFL Free Agency 2023
Free agency summary
The Chargers chose not to make a big fuss in free agency, with veteran LB Eric Kendricks topping his class. Kendricks has slipped back in terms of coverage in each of the past two seasons, but was among the league’s best in the category in 2019 and 2020.
With more than $12 million in cap space remaining, Los Angeles could consider re-signing some of its own free agents that have yet to be signed.
Class of 2023 Draft
R1 (21): WR Quentin JohnstonTCU
R2 (54): EDGE Tuli TuipulotuUSC
R3 (85): pound daiyan henleywashington state
R4 (125): WR derius davisTCU
R5 (156): you jordan mcfaddenClemson
R6 (200): GAVE scott matlockboise state
R7 (239): Quarterback Max DugganTCU
Summary of the 2023 NFL draft
The Chargers were quick to address their depth problem at wide receiver by taking Quentin Johnston with the 21street general election. His 532 post-reception yards in 2022 were second-best among all receivers in the draft class.
They dedicated Day 2 to defense, recruiting running back from USC Tuli Tuipulotu and Washington State linebacker daiyan henley. Tuipulotu racked up 60 total pressures in 2022, and Henley recorded 20 career stops and missed just three tackles on running plays.
Best move of the offseason: Quentin Johnston
Look to Johnston to make a quick impact in an effort to inject youth and athleticism into the skill positions for Los Angeles. He forced 19 missed tackles on just 60 receptions and averaged 17.8 receiving yards a season ago.
Remaining Team Needs: DI
The Chargers were terrible against the run last season, in large part because of the defensive inside play. The entire unit rated below 60.0 in running plays, and the unit returns intact this year, with the only sixth-round draft pick Scott Matlock from Boise State.
If Los Angeles is looking to use some of the remaining cap space to improve the current roster, it should be here.
Early standings battle to watch: LB Kenneth Murray vs. LB Daiyan Henley
Key job battles are often about rookies challenging veterans for starting jobs, and that’s exactly the case at Los Angeles linebacker. Henley qualified well overall in Wazzu and was quickly able to challenge a struggling Murray, who was near the bottom of the league in defense-against-run rating last year (28.2).
Outlook 2023
The Chargers made up for an uninspiring free agent class with a solid draft and will need big results from several rookies to move forward.
This team will likely always be in the mix with justin herbert at quarterback, but the rest of the roster may be a work in progress in 2023, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
