NFL combine: Chargers mentor Brandon Staley has deep views on roster, protection

The truth the Chargers have to have to strengthen on defense in 2022 is as apparent as the presence of 6-foot-6 quarterback Justin Herbert.

But both of those typical supervisor Tom Telesco and coach Brandon Staley have created a position in latest months of describing that this offseason is not just about one particular side of the line of scrimmage.

On Wednesday, Staley stated the Chargers are intent on creating a team he called “complete” and “deep.”

“Those two words you are likely to listen to me say a good deal,” he promised at the NFL scouting mix, “because I know that that will let us to be as excellent as we can be.”

Challenges with depth price tag the Chargers through their 9-8 complete in the 2021 time. Mostly mainly because of accidents, they had been uncovered at instances mostly in their secondary and together their defensive front.

They also lost each starters on the suitable side of their offensive line — producing defending Herbert extra challenging — and ended up pressured to employ numerous younger players on special groups.

The process of reloading the roster commences listed here this 7 days, as the Chargers ramp up preparations for the draft at the stop of April. Their initially pick will come at No. 17.

Staley referenced the secondary and defensive line as parts that want to be addressed in the coming weeks.

The Chargers appear not likely to re-indication veteran cornerback Chris Harris Jr., which would open just one place.

Harris has dealt with accidents throughout his two seasons with the staff, lacking three online games early past time simply because of a shoulder trouble. He performed at the very least 75% of the defensive snaps in 10 of the 14 games in which he did seem in 2021.

Moving into his second time, Asante Samuel Jr. presents the Chargers the overall flexibility to engage in inside of and outside. That versatility will give Staley and Telesco solutions when examining staff.

“Corner is undoubtedly likely to be a little something that we’re seeking at,” Staley claimed. “We’re normally heading to be hunting at it, as very long as I’m the head mentor.”

Notably taking part in in a division that involves Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes. Staley spelled out that there is a premium on defending hazardous quarterbacks, expressing, “You really don’t do that if you really do not have a bunch of include fellas out there.”

Michael Davis is 1 of these cover fellas for the Chargers, though he struggled at periods in his to start with period in Staley’s program and just months soon after signing a a few-calendar year extension value up to $25.2 million.

Davis’ $5-million salary for 2022 will become totally guaranteed on March 18, in accordance to Spotrac. Staley claimed Davis has been functioning out at the team’s Costa Mesa facility.

“I consider Mike’s a starting up corner in the league,” he said. “I consider he has a large amount much better perception of his match now, particularly taking part in in our system, which is a diverse procedure from a strategy standpoint, from a scheme standpoint …

“He’s still a younger participant. I know he’s been in the league now for a moment. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that he cannot increase a large amount. Which is what we’re trying to do this offseason — get him in that comfort zone, genuinely consider his game and make that jump that we assume he’s able producing.”

Together their defensive entrance, the Chargers have pending cost-free brokers in tackles Justin Jones and Linval Joseph and edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, every one of them a starter.

Staley mentioned the course of action of strengthening the defense has begun with determining the “critical factors” he seeks at each and every position and doing the job with the scouting section to come across players with all those traits.

In 2020, Staley was the coordinator of a Rams protection that rated No. 1 in the NFL. That unit mainly stayed healthier but also showcased players who suit more carefully to what Staley is attempting to develop these days.

“On defense, we seriously benefit versatility,” he explained. “What we’ve carried out below and what’s ongoing is just developing our way of participating in from a staff standpoint. This offseason will let us to appear the way that we want to search.”