Los Angeles Chargers: Five remaining free agents that fit the roster
By Jason Reed
Johnathan Hankins, DT
Out of every free agent still on this list, Johnathan Hankins would easily have the biggest impact for the Los Angeles Chargers. In fact, it is pretty surprising that the Chargers have not made a move for Hankins despite him being available for this long.
As previously stated, the run defense is the Chargers’ Achilles’ Heel. If the team can figure out how to at least be decent at stopping the run, there is no reason why LA cannot be a Super Bowl contender. And while a middle linebacker will help that, defensive tackle is the most important position in this regard.
The Chargers did address this issue by adding Justin Jones in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Overall, Jones is a decent prospect that excels in stopping the run but may struggle at getting to the passer. However, for the role he is given, Jones should be just fine.
Alongside him, the Chargers have Brandon Mebane and Corey Liuget, who is serving a four-game suspension to start the year after testing positive for steroids.
And while Mebane and Liuget are both solid players, it is evident that the Chargers’ should look for all the help they can get. There is a reason why the Chargers allowed the second-most rushing yards in the NFL.
Bringing in depth at defensive tackle is huge, the Philadelphia Eagles proved that last season. By bringing in the run stuffing Hankins, the Chargers can start with Liuget and Hankins (after Liuget’s suspension is up) and use Mebane and Jones as rotational pieces.
In the first four games, Hankins and Mebane will serve as the starters with Jones coming in on third and short situations to plug any potential run. The Chargers’ need depth at defensive tackle to truly progress towards stopping the run. Hankins provides that.