2017 NFL Season Preview: Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers

2016 Record: 5-11

The last season of the Chargers in San Diego ended almost before it began with injuries to Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead early. As a result, Mike McCoy finally got the ax after a surprise retention the season before. Into his place comes the fast rising Anthony Lynn to breathe new life into this team as it arrives in LA. With a veteran QB in Rivers and the return of Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, the offense hopes to fix the errors of last season by adding more talent. Meanwhile, the arrival of Gus Bradley from Jacksonville brings a conversion to an attacking 4-3 defense. Despite playing in a tiny soccer stadium in 2017, the Bolts hope to kick the injury-riddled seasons of the McCoy era and potential contend for a playoff spot in a tough but vulnerable AFC West.


Key Additions:

LT Russell Okung, S Tre Boston, RB Kenjon Barner

Key Losses:

RB Danny Woodhead, LT King Dunlap, G DJ Fluker, ILB Manti Te'o, CB Brandon Flowers

2017 Draft Class:

WR Mike Williams, G Forrest Lamp, G Dan Feeney, S Rayshawn Jenkins, DB Desmond King

Offensive Outlook:

System: Single back (3 WR, 1TE or 2 WR, 2 TE) vertical offense

By retaining OC Whisenhunt, the Chargers hope to be able to continue their Top 10 scoring offense under veteran QB Phillip Rivers. In addition the Chargers are attempting to bolster the run game with investments in the offensive line. Whisenhunt uses multiple looks and employs some no-huddle to keep the defense off balance and looks to get the ball down the field in an aggressive manor.
That aggressive nature resulted in a career high 21 INTs last year for Rivers without #1 WR Keenan Allen out all year. Into that void came 2nd year WR Tyrell WIlliams who led the team in yards and receptions with 69-1059 and 7 TDs. Other wideouts Dontrelle Inman and Travis Benjamin were very inconsistent last year. With the return of Allen and the addition of 1st round pick Mike Williams (assuming his back is healthy), the Chargers should be able to create nice match-up issues with 3 starters over 6'2" tall. Add to that future HOFer TE Antonio Gates, who is 1 TD away from breaking the all-time TD mark for tight ends, and 2nd year heir apparent Hunter Henry and the Chargers should improve upon an already dynamic passing game.
In the run game, 3rd year RB Melvin Gordon emerged from a knee injury to rush for just under 1,000 yards behind a disappointing O-line. RB Brandon Oliver proved a serviceable backup to Gordon and Barner or Andre Williams should take over 3rd down duties for the departed Woodhead. On the line, gone are free agent and draft busts Dunlap, Fluker and Orlando Franklin and in their place comes veteran Russell Okung and rookies Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney. Okung should slide immediately into the LT spot after just an average season last year in Denver while Joseph Barksdale remains at RT. The middle of the line will be a good competition between rookies Lamp and Feeney against veterans G/C Matt Slauson, C Spencer Pulley and others. Also Jeff Cumberland is a solid run-blocking TE.

Defensive Outlook:

System: Attacking 4-3 front with cover 2 tendencies

With former Jaguars HC Gus Bradley joining the staff as the defensive coordinator, the Chargers will convert to a 4-3 defense that utilizes a Leo LB (pass rushing strong side LB) to generate extra pressure on the QB. For the defensive line the transition should be seamless, with DROY Joey Bosa and pass rusher Melvin Ingram bookending at DE. Only concern may center on Ingram's injury history in holding up as a down linemen. Inside DT Corey Liuget should take well to the 3 technique and Brandon Mebane was a rock as a 1 technique in Seattle. Depth is an issue, especially on the outside, and could be this defense's undoing.
At the linebacker spot, Denzel Perryman will slide into the MLB spot and rookie sensation Jatavis Brown will be featured as a playmaker on the weakside. This move to the 4-3 should help feature both players, protecting Perryman in pass coverage and keeping Brown clean to flow to the ball. At the Leo spot, Kyle Emmanuel will get the first shot to feature his pass rush skill with Josh Perry and maybe even Jerry Attaochu providing depth. Korey Toomer will be a priority backup.
The secondary has question marks, with starters CB Casey Hayward, CB Jason Verrett, SS Jahleel Addae and FS Dwight Lowery returning from last year. Injury concerns on Verrett and Addae may test a weak depth chart. Tre Boston was signed to backup Addae and rookie Rayshawn Jenkins will challenge Lowery at FS. The nickel corner will be determined in camp, with many candidates including hybrid 5th round rookie Desmond King from Iowa.

Keys to 2017:

- Phillip Rivers must rebound from a frustrating 2016 season while continuing to battle Father Time (Age 35).
- First time head coach Anthony Lynn is learning on the job but has good assistants around him and a roster that should be better than their record over the last 2 years.
- Injuries, injuries, injuries have derailed this team. Maybe the soccer field will help.
- Moving to LA and playing in the 30,000 seat StubHub Stadium could really be a distraction
- 3rd hardest Strength of Schedule in the NFL this year

2017 Prediction: 6-10

The Chargers face an up-hill challenge with a new home, new head coach and a new defense, Add to that a very tough division of defenses in KC, Oakland and Denver. If the OL gels and the injury bug doesn't follow them from San Diego the Chargers should be better in 2017.


Fantasy Outlook:

QB - Rivers looks to be a 2nd-tier starter or excellent backup that is likely undervalued in most leagues. Though he should get close to matching his numbers from 2016, he also will hopefully reduce the INTs

RB - Gordon is no better than a 2nd/3rd RB in most leagues until his OL proves it can block for him.

WR - Keenan Allen is back but probably not worthy of a #1 WR in fantasy. Tyreek Williams is a quality 2nd/3rd WR.

TE - Gates is good for TDs only anymore and Henry will likely continue to under perform projections as long as he is the understudy to Gates.

DEF/ST - The Chargers should be good for a lot of sacks though they might also give up a lot of points again in 2017. Isiah Burse emerged as a quality KR/PR but failed to score in 2016. Pick them up based on matchups

Final Draft Grades Part 2: NFC

The 2017 NFL Draft from Philadelphia is in the books. With over 250,000 in attendance and higher ratings across the board, there is a chance that the NFL will return to Philly again before coming to Dallas but that is yet to be decided. And if that means Round 2 of Drew Pearson vs 100K Eagles Fans I am in! But what is decided is the actual business of selecting players for the upcoming 2017 season for each team. And while it is completely arbitrary and mostly impossible to determine how these draft classes will turn out (due to injury, position fit, coaching, etc), it is still fun to evaluate HOW the teams drafted and addressed their needs as well as the talent they acquired where. So here are my NFL Draft grades for 2017:

1.       Washington Redskins – Grade A-

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (17)	Jonathan Allen	DE	Alabama
2 (49)	Ryan Anderson	OLB	Alabama
3 (81)	Fabian Moreau	CB	UCLA
4 (114)	Samaje Perine	RB	Oklahoma
4 (123)	Montae Nicholson	S	Michigan State
5 (154)	Jeremy Sprinkle	TE	Arkansas
6 (199)	Chad Rouiller	C	Wyoming
6 (209)	Robert Davis	WR	Georgia State
7 (230)	Josh Harvey-Clemons	LB	Louisville
7 (235)	Josh Holsey	CB	Auburn

Summary: The Redskins found great value with almost every one of their picks. Landing a Top 5 player at pick 17 in Allen is a great start. 2^nd rounder Anderson is solid versus the run but a liability in pass coverage. Moreau, once healthy, and Perine should contribute immediately. Nicholson is a downhill run enforcer at the SS spot and Sprinkle is a versatile TE to compliment Jordan Reed. The later rounds showed good value in Davis and Harvey-Clemons.

2.       Carolina Panthers – Grade A-

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (8)	Christian McCaffrey	RB	Stanford
2 (40)	Curtis Samuel	WR	Ohio State
2 (64)	Taylor Moton	OT	Western Michigan
3 (77)	Daeshon Hall	DE	Texas A&M
5 (152)	Corn Elder	CB	Miami
6 (192)	Alex Armah	RB	West Georgia
7 (233)	Harrison Butker	K	Georgia Tech

Summary: The Panther draft will hinge mostly on the careers of 2 players: Curtis Samuel and Daeshon Hall. McCaffrey should be a great do-everything back in compliment to Cam Newton and Moton could start at T or G out of training camp. But Samuel’s success as a WR/RB/KR will decide if this draft is a success in addition to the career of Hall at DE since the Panthers traded up to acquire him. Elder will contribute as a nickel back and in the return game.

3.       Atlanta Falcons – Grade B+

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (26)	Takkarist McKinley	DE	UCLA
3 (75)	Duke Riley	LB	LSU
4 (126)	Sean Harlow	G	Oregon State
5 (149)	Damontae Kazee	CB	San Diego St
5 (156)	Brian Hill	RB	Wyoming
5 (174)	Eric Saubert	TE	Drake

Summary: The Falcons had a very solid draft, trading up in the 1^st round to add the fiery pass rusher McKinley ahead of the Cowboys to compliment Vic Beasley. Then they add a close of last year’s draft choice Deion Jones in Duke Riley: a fast but undersized linebacker from LSU. Sean Harlow should immediately compete for the vacancy left by Chris Chester at RG. Kazee is an underrated ballhawking corner, Hill is an underrated all-around back and Saubert is intriguing small school prospect with big upside.

4.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Grade B+

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (19)	OJ Howard	TE	Alabama
2 (50)	Justin Evans	S	Texas A&M
3 (84)	Curtis Godwin	WR	Penn State
3 (107)	Kendall Beckwith	LB	LSU
5 (162)	Jeremy McNichols	RB	Boise State
7 (223)	Stevie Tu’ikolovatu	DT	USC

Summary: The Bucs got the best TE in the draft in Howard at 19, a solid safety from A&M in Evans and an underrated WR in Godwin with their first 3 picks. Then they followed that up with the best MLB prospect in the draft (though injured) in Beckwith, another runner from Boise in McNichols to pair with Doug Martin and a huge run stuffer from USC. Rock solid drafting.

5.       Dallas Cowboys – Grade B+

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (28)	Taco Charlton	DE	Michigan
2 (60)	Chidobe Awuzie	CB	Colorado
3 (92)	Jourdan Lewis	CB	Michigan
4 (133)	Ryan Switzer	WR	UNC
6 (191)	Xavier Woods	S	Louisiana Tech
6 (216)	Marquez White	CB	Florida State
7 (228)	Joey Ivie	DT	Florida
7 (239)	Noah Brown	WR	Ohio State
7 (246)	Jordan Carrell	DT	Colorado

Summary: The Cowboys loaded up on defenders, getting Taco Charlton to solidify the D Line, Awuzie and Lewis to replace the departed Mo Claiborne and Brandon Carr and Xavier Woods to fill the hole at SS. Switzer will immediately upgrade their woeful return game and contribute as a 3^rd down back while late rounders White, Ivie and Brown all have a good chance to make the squad and bump out higher priced veterans.

6.       New Orleans Saints – Grade B

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (11)	Marshon Lattimore	CB	Ohio State
1 (32)	Ryan Ramczyk	OT	Wisconsin
2 (42)	Marcus Williams	S	Utah
3 (67)	Alvin Kamara	RB	Tennessee
3 (76)	Alex Anzalone	LB	Florida
3 (103)	Trey Hendrickson	DE	Florida Atl
7 (196)	Al-Quadin Muhammad	DE	Miami

Summary: The Saints took a good section of talent but the way they went about it and the question marks on these players lowers their grade. Lattimore is the best cover corner in this draft IF his hamstrings stay healthy. Ramczyk is the best OT in this draft IF he can stay interested in football. Marcus Williams is a young, dynamic centerfielder at FS IF he can stay healthy and can find time with Kenny Vaccaro. Alvin Kamara is a solid pass catching RB IF he can find time behind Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram. Alex Anzalone started at Florida over 1^st rounder Jarred Davis IF he can overcome a myriad of injuries. That’s a lot of IFs.

7.       Philadelphia Eagles – Grade B

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (14)	Derek Barnett	DE	Tennessee
2 (43)	Sidney Jones	CB	Washington
3 (99)	Rasul Douglas	CB	West Virginia
4 (118)	Mack Hollins	WR	UNC
4 (132)	Donnel Pumphrey	RB	San Diego St
5 (166)	Shelton Gibson	WR	West Virginia
5 (184)	Nathan Gerry	S	Nebraska
6 (214)	Elijah Qualls	DT	Washington

Summary: The Eagles had a good draft but didn’t seem to address all of their needs. Barnett fills a huge hole on the DL as an edge rusher. Jones is 1^st round talent but will likely have to red shirt this year. Douglas is a tall (6’2”) corner but needs work on technique. Hollins, Pumphrey and Gibson all add explosive elements to the offense and special teams. Gerry and Qualls are solid depth guys. But without addressing OL, LB or DT in any meaningful way, the Eagles get a B grade.

8.       San Francisco 49ers – Grade B

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (3)	Solomon Thomas	DE	Stanford
1 (31)	Reuben Foster	LB	Alabama
3 (66)	Ahkello Witherspoon	CB	Colorado
3 (104)	CJ Beathard	QB	Iowa
4 (121)	Joe Williams	RB	Utah
5 (146)	George Kittle	TE	Iowa
5 (177)	Trent Taylor	WR	Louisiana Tech
6 (198)	DJ Jones	DT	Ole Miss
6 (202)	Pita Taumoepenu	LB	Utah
7 (229)	Adrian Colbert	DB	Miami

Summary: After an amazing start by fleecing the Bears for Trubisky, the Niners the proceeded to take too many reaches and came away with an underwhelming draft overall. Thomas is a dynamic pass rusher but will be an interesting fit alongside the last 2 49er 1^st round picks. Foster was great value at 31 but now reports that he might miss a lot of 2017 with another shoulder surgery reveal why he was available. Witherspoon is a big finesse corner but take over many better prospects at corner in the 3^rd, including his teammate Awuzie. The Beathard trade up is baffling, as he is a very quality backup type but the Niners already have 2 of those on the roster. Williams dedication to football is questionable. Kittle and Taylor would good value picks in the 5^th round.

9.       Arizona Cardinals – Grade B

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (15)	Haasan Reddick	LB	Temple
2 (36)	Budda Baker	S	Washington
3 (98)	Chad Williams	WR	Grambling
4 (115)	Dorian Johnson	G	Pitt
5 (157)	Will Holden	OT	Vanderbilt
5 (179)	TJ Logan	RB	UNC
6 (208)	Johnathan Rudy Ford	DB	Auburn

                          

Summary: The Cardinals are another team that got great players but didn’t necessarily address their biggest needs. Reddick is solid ILB that brings plus pass rushing skill. Baker is a safety/corner hybrid perfect for the Arizona defense. Williams is a scrappy small school wide out that could be a 3^rd or 4^th WR next year. Dorian Johnson has 2^nd round ability but a medical red flag about his liver caused him to slide into Day 3. Holden is a good swing OT and Logan add KR ability. But without adding a true #2 CB , true #2 WR or backup QB, this draft in incomplete.

10.   Minnesota Vikings – Grade B

                

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
2 (41)	Dalvin Cook	RB	Florida State
3 (70)	Pat Elflein	C	Ohio State
4 (109)	Jaleel Johnson	NT	Iowa
4 (120)	Ben Gedeon	LB	Michigan
5 (170)	Rodney Adams	WR	South Florida
5 (180)	Danny Isadora	G	Miami
6 (201)	Bucky Hodges	TE	Virginia Tech
6 (198)	DJ Jones	DT	Ole Miss
6 (202)	Pita Taumoepenu	LB	Utah
7 (229)	Adrian Colbert	DB	Miami

                

Summary: The Vikings are another boom/bust draft mostly based on the conduct of RB Dalvin Cook off the field, if the reports of character red flags are true. If he stays away from trouble, the Vikings might have found a true heir to Peterson. Elflein is the best center in this class but also has position flexibility. Johnson is a stout run stuffer and good locker room guy. Gedeon is a 2 down linebacker only due to his speed liability. Adams has a chance to surprise in the receiving core. Isadora is a street fighter that could be a starter found in the 5^th round. Except for the Gedeon pick, the Vikings got a nice haul of players but with so many needs it’s tough to say this class is packed with superstars.

11.   Green Bay Packers – Grade B-

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
2 (33)	Kevin King	CB	Washington
2 (61)	Josh Jones	S	NC State
3 (93)	Montravius Adams	DE	Auburn
4 (108)	Vince Biegel	LB	Wisconsin
4 (134)	Jamaal Williams	RB	BYU
5 (175)	DeAngelo Yancey	WR	Purdue
5 (182)	Aaron Jones	RB	UTEP
6 (212)	Kofi Amichia	C	South Florida
7 (238)	Devante Mays	RB	Utah State
7 (247)	Malachi Dupre	WR	LSU

Summary: The Packers got a very solid group of players and managed to address all of their needs heading into the draft, but perhaps no real blue chip talent. King is a 6’3” corner that instantly becomes the Packers best cover guy, except that he wasn’t even the #1 CB on his college team. Jones is a versatile safety with run support and coverage skills. Adams is a disruptive pass rusher at DE when properly motivated. Biegel is a workman like strongside OLB. Williams is a tall RB in the Matt Forte style who will add into the runner group alongside the 2 other RBs they drafted. Dupre is intriguing as a 7^th rounder.

12.   New York Giants – Grade B-

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (23)	Evan Engram	TE	Ole Miss
2 (55)	Dalvin Tomlinson	DT	Alabama
3 (87)	Davis Webb	QB	California
4 (140)	Wayne Gallman	RB	Clemson
5 (167)	Avery Moss	DE	Youngstown St
6 (200)	Adam Bisnowaty	OL	Pitt

Summary: The Giants had one of the more odd drafts of the year. Evan Engram is a specialty weapon as a pass catcher. But I fear they will miscast his like Jimmy Graham was in Seattle and his effectiveness will be diminished. When you then consider they could have also drafted David Njoku, who is more of that traditional TE type, the pick gets odder. Tomlinson is the best run stuffer in the draft and replaces Johnathan Hankins at DT. Webb is a project behind Eli, but for a team full of veterans looking to contend, the choice is weird. Gallman is a workhorse back with almost no homerun ability. Add to that the Giants not addressing their biggest need at OT until round 6 (maybe?).

13.   Seattle Seahawks – Grade B-

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
2 (35)	Malik McDowell	DT	Michigan St
2 (58)	Ethan Pocic	OL	LSU
3 (90)	Shaquill Griffin	CB	UCF
3 (95)	Delano Hill	S	Michigan
3 (102)	Nazir Jones	DT	UNC
3 (106)	Amara Darboh	WR	Michigan
4 (111)	Tedric Thompson	S	Colorado
6 (187)	Mike Tyson	CB	Cincinnati
6 (210)	Justin Senior	OT	Miss St
7 (226)	David Moore	WR	East Central
7 (249)	Chris Carson	RB	Oklahoma St

Summary: Like the Packers, the Seahawks traded out of round 1 and acquired 4 picks in the 3^rd round. However, most of those were big reaches. McDowell is supremely talented but will take all the Pete Carroll magic to motivate. Pocic is a versatile OL and would receive a higher grade if not announced as a tackle instead of his best position at center. Shaq Griffin is a raw but quick slot corner that went well before other more proven CBs. Hill and Thompson were 6^th round graded safeties taken in the 3^rd and 4^th round respectively. Jones is a pure run stuffer and might have been had 2 rounds later.

14.   Detroit Lions – Grade B-

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (21)	Jarrad Davis	LB	Florida
2 (53)	Teez Tabor	CB	Florida
3 (96)	Kenny Golladay	WR	Northern Ill
4 (124)	Jalen Reeves-Maybin	LB	Tennessee
4 (127)	Michael Roberts	TE	Toledo
5 (165)	Jamal Agnew	CB	San Diego St
6 (205)	Jeremiah Ledbetter	DT	Arkansas
6 (215)	Brad Kaaya	QB	Miami
7 (250)	Pat O’Connor	DE	Eastern Michigan

Summary: The Lions were clearly focused on upgrading their LB and CB positions, but completely ignoring the defensive line until round 6 is very curious. Davis is a run-and-hit linebacker with questionable instincts. Tabor is a brash man cover corner but foot speed is a concern. Golladay is a big (6’4”) redzone target but very raw. Reeves-Maybin is a dynamic linebacker if he can ever get healthy. Roberts is also a big redzone target but looked overmatched at the Senior Bowl versus better competition.

15.   Chicago Bears – Grade C

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
1 (2)	Mitchell Trubisky	QB	UNC
2 (45)	Adam Shaheen	TE	Ashland
4 (112)	Eddie Jackson	S	Alabama
4 (119)	Tarik Cohen	RB	North Carolina A&T
5 (147)	Jordan Morgan	G	Kutztown

Summary: Obviously this is a 1 player draft all hinging on the future of Trubisky as a franchise QB. And the Bears surrendered a lot to move up the one spot ahead of Cleveland for him. But the rest of their draft was below average. Shaheen is an intriguing small school prospect but may not contribute much this season. Jackson is 2^nd round talent but slid due to injury. Cohen is a waterbug back and return man. Morgan is a very raw small school prospect that will need coaching up. The 2017 Bears draft is mostly for the 2018 season and maybe a different coaching staff.

16.   Los Angeles Rams – Grade C-

Round (Pick)	Name	Position	School
2 (44)	Gerald Everett	TE	South Alabama
3 (69)	Cooper Kupp	WR	Eastern Washington
3 (91)	John Johnson	S	Boston College
4 (117)	Josh Reynolds	WR	Texas A&M
4 (125)	Samson Ebukam	LB	Eastern Washington
6 (189)	Tanzel Smart	DE	Tulane
6 (206)	Sam Rogers	RB	Virginia Tech
7 (234)	Ejuan Price	OLB	Pitt

Summary: And the award for the worst draft of 2017 is the LA Rams. Even with a new regime in place and a new stadium 2 years away, the Rams may be haunted by this draft into the next ownership group. Everett is a pass catching only TE that reminds me too much of Gavin Escobar. Kupp is a quick, not fast slot guy that will struggle to separate. Johnson is an old-style box safety that is increasingly obsolete is today’s NFL. Reynolds has deep threat ability but struggles to catch in traffic. The late round picks of Smart and Price are the only thing that kept this grade from being worse.