Los Angeles Chargers 2019 Season Preview
Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Posted on 8/2/2019.
Los Angeles Chargers Free Agency Recap
The Chargers got Thomas Davis as a 4-3 right outside linebacker in Free Agency. Thomas Davis is one of the leagues better 4-3 right outside linebackers despite his age. Los Angeles also added Tyrod Taylor as a backup quarterback.
Los Angeles Chargers Draft Recap
The Chargers got Notre Dame defensive tackle Jerry Tillery in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Tillery is an immediate starter. Delaware safety Nasir Adderley is competing with two other safeties for a starting safety spot next to Derwin James who dominated as a rookie in 2018. Sioux Falls left tackle Trey Pipkins is a 2019 third round draft pick. With Russell Okung being injured, Pipkins is now the new left tackle projected to start as a rookie. Los Angeles needed a right tackle to compliment Okung, but drafted a left tackle for depth behind Okung. Rivers will be dependent on Pipkins being a good blindside until Okung returns from his injury. If Pipkins dominates at left tackle, then the Chargers can move Okung over to right tackle giving Rivers the best protection he's had up front since 2007-2008 when the Chargers lost the AFC Championship to the 16-0 New England Patriots.
Los Angeles Chargers Quarterback Summary: The Chargers have a Pro Bowl quarterback in Philip Rivers. Tyrod Taylor is the backup quarterback and Cardale Jones is the third string quarterback at the moment. Easton Stick, a 2019 fifth round pick out of North Dakota State is competing with Jones for a roster spot.
Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt was the Chargers offensive coordinator prior to him taking a head coaching gig with the Titans and now he's back. The last time Whisenhunt was the Chargers' offensive coordinator Rivers had a career season. Shane Steichen was a starting quarterback for UNLV when Rivers was a starting quarterback at North Carolina State and now Steichen enters his fourth year as the Chargers quarterback coach. Rivers has all of his offensive coaches returning for a second year in a row. Rivers never had all of his offensive coaches returning for two years in a row in his entire NFL career.
Los Angeles Chargers Running Back Summary: Melvin Gordon went from working with LaDainian Tomlinson improving his weaknesses in 2018 to imitating Le'Veon Bell in order to get more money. Gordon has also demanded a trade so he has not reported to Training Camp yet. Head coach Anthony Lynn specializes in developing running backs and wants this to be a balanced run first team rather than a west coast team. Alfredo Roberts takes over at running back coach too. Roberts has developed running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends over his coaching career.
The Chargers had a lot of success using that run first balanced offense back in the day with LaDainian Tomlinson. They went back to that in 2017 and things clicked near the end of the season after injuries took their toll on the team.
Los Angeles Chargers Wide Receiver Summary: Los Angeles has one true #1 flanker receiver in Keenan Allen. You drafted Mike Williams to start out as a #2 guy on the outside to Allen. Travis Benjamin was a slot receiver in Cleveland and now is a slot receiver once again following the departure of Tyrell Williams after being a depth player. Los Angeles still has Artavis Scott for depth who was teammates with Williams at Clemson.
Phil McGeoghan did well in his first season as the wide receivers coach with the Los Angeles Chargers. McGeoghan enters his second season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers Tight End Summary: Hunter Henry and Virgil Green are both healthy. Rivers can get both tight ends involved in this offense as well as the receivers. If Melvin Gordon does not play, Rivers has to mix things up for this offense to be effective. Rip Scherer enters his second season as the tight ends coach with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Los Angeles Offensive Line Summary: The Los Angeles Chargers have a much better offensive line now. You got Trey Pipkins at left tackle, Dan Feeney at left guard, Mike Pouncey at center, Michael Schoffield at right guard, and Sam Tevi at right tackle. With Russell Okung out, I think the Chargers are going to have a big weakness at offensive tackle. Rivers will have less time in the pocket then usual. Luckily for these mediocre offensive tackles, Rivers has one of the quickest releases despite having a tendency to be reckless at times and throw interceptions when he's being pressured.
Pat Meyer has done well with the Chargers offensive line the last two seasons. He's the right offensive line coach for the Chargers when reflecting on this hire in hindsight. Meyer will be tested without Okung to start the season.
The Los Angeles Chargers have the potential to be a top 15 offense in points scored, total yards, passing yards, and rushing yards. Even though the Chargers are thin at offensive tackle and Melvin Gordon is holding out, all of their offensive coaches from last season return. That's one thing you have to like about the Chargers heading into 2019.
Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Line Summary: I expect the Chargers to be even better on the defensive line thanks to finally adjusting to the 4-3 defense with Gus Bradley back in his second season as a defensive coordinator. The defensive line will have Melvin Ingram at 4-3 right end, Joey Bosa at 4-3 left end, Jerry Tillery at defensive tackle with Brandon Mebane complimenting Tillery. Giff Smith did awesome as the Chargers defensive line coach in 2016 and matched that intensity in 2017. Gus Bradley can motivate these defensive linemen as well. The coaching and edge rushers are there to make the Chargers one of the top defenses in the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers Linebacker Summary: Thomas Davis is the 4-3 right outside linebacker with Denzel Perryman at 4-3 middle linebacker. With Jatavis Brown on the PUP list, Uchenna Nwosu becomes the starting 4-3 left outside linebacker after the Chargers spent a second round pick on Nwosu in the 2018 NFL Draft where he did well coming out of USC. If Brown returns from his injury, Nwosu and Kyzir White get another year to develop as backup outside linebackers for depth.
Richard Smith is an awesome linebackers coach. He's turned things around since working with Dan Quinn in Atlanta a few years ago and has a mentor he has more chemistry with in Gus Bradley. All of the coaches on the front 7 are back meaning the front 7 could be lethal once again in 2019.
Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Backs Summary: The Chargers have great cornerbacks. Casey Heyward is the field cornerback. Desmond King showed he could be a solid nickel cornerback, but that's his ceiling. Trevor Williams is an awful boundary cornerback. Heyward actually struggled in both contests versus Tyreek Hill. Honestly, cornerback is this teams biggest weakness outside of offensive tackle play. Derwin James dominated as the strong safety. You also got Adrian Phillips, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Nasir Adderley competing for the free safety job next to James. Unless Adderley starts right away, this secondary is dependant on Derwin James to play at a high level and lead the defensive backs for all 16 games.
Ron Milus is the Chargers defensive backs coach. Milus can develop cornerbacks and make them Pro Bowlers. Milus isn't as good with safeties as he is with corners though. Derwin James is so good that he makes things easier for Milus. If Adderley can have that kind of impact and win the starting job next to James, then this team may challenge other teams in the AFC.
The Chargers was better in some areas. The Chargers should be a top 5 team in sacks. I think the run defense and pass defense is going to be a middle of the pack unit. I also feel like the Chargers could be a top 12 team in points allowed and total yards allowed.
Los Angeles Chargers Special Teams Summary: Michael Bagdley is the kicker for the Los Angeles Chargers. Tyler Newsome is the punter. Desmond King was the kick returner last season. King did well enough to get promoted to punt returner to replace Travis Benjamin at that position.
George Stewart returns as the special teams coordinator. He is also the assistant head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers Worst Case Scenario: The Chargers go 8-8 and miss the playoffs due to Melvin Gordon's holdout, poor offensive tackle play, and suspect defensive back play.
Los Angeles Chargers Best Case Scenario: Los Angeles goes 13-3. They run away with the AFC West Division and get home field in the AFC.
Los Angeles Chargers 2019 NFL Schedule
Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Time |
Cable Network |
Result |
Week 1 |
September 8 |
VS  |
4:05 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 2 |
September 15 |
AT  |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 3 |
September 22 |
VS  |
4:05 PM EST |
CBS |
W |
Week 4 |
September 29 |
AT  |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
W |
Week 5 |
October 6 |
VS  |
4:05 PM EST |
CBS |
W |
Week 6 |
October 13 |
VS  |
8:20 PM EST |
NBC |
L |
Week 7 |
October 20 |
AT  |
4:05 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 8 |
October 27 |
AT  |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 9 |
November 3 |
VS  |
4:25 PM EST |
CBS |
W |
Week 10 |
November 7 |
AT  |
8:20 PM EST |
FOX |
L |
Week 11 |
November 18 |
VS  |
8:15 PM EST |
ESPN |
W |
Week 12 |
|
Bye Week |
|
|
|
Week 13 |
December 1 |
AT |
4:25 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
Week 14 |
December 8 |
AT  |
4:05 PM EST |
FOX |
L |
Week 15 |
December 15 |
VS  |
8:20 PM EST |
NBC |
W |
Week 16 |
December 22 |
VS |
4:05 PM EST |
CBS |
W |
Week 17 |
December 29 |
AT |
1 PM EST |
CBS |
L |
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