Los Angeles Chargers: Anthony Barr is the perfect addition
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Chargers need just a few additions to bolster an already great roster and should be looking in the direction of linebacker Anthony Barr.
A perfect fit free agent fit for the Los Angeles Chargers has recently been brought to our attention. That perfect fit is four-time Pro Bowler, who will only be 27 in 2019, Anthony Barr.
Marc Sessler of NFL.com named Barr as the perfect fit for the Los Angeles Chargers in a piece where he was trying to find the best free agent fit for every AFC team (h/t Bolts from the Blue). The Chargers were the only team with Barr as their best fit.
We cannot agree with Sessler any more. Barr would be the perfect free agent addition to the Los Angeles Chargers, and quite frankly, could be the only free agent target. Of course, the team will add more, but Barr alone is enough of an impact signing.
With Barr, the Chargers can use the 2019 NFL Draft for every other need on the roster, which includes a defensive tackle, a receiver to bolster the depth with Tyrell Williams leaving and the offensive line.
Signing Barr removes the need for a linebacker in the draft and is a huge upgrade from Denzel Perryman, although Barr plays on the outside. Signing Barr and re-signing Adrian Phillips would easily cement the Chargers as a top-five defense in the league.
Barr started rushing the quarterback more to end the 2018 season, something he rarely did before that. Barr lined up as a defensive end and recorded three sacks across two games; his only sacks of the year.
The Chargers do not need Barr for that but he can excel at rushing the passer in Los Angeles. Barr coming off the edge next to Joey Bosa or Melvin Ingram is a scary sight for opposing quarterbacks. The Chargers might have the best five-man pass-rush with Barr in the scheme.
What makes Barr so great though is that he has no weaknesses. He can drop into coverage and man up backs and tight ends can play zone and is a gap-plugger that will help the run defense.
In a defense that has a ton of playmakers and a Swiss Army Knife in Derwin James (and Adrian Phillips if he re-signs), an all-around backer like Barr would be huge.
One thing about the Chargers, especially the linebackers, is the defense is a bit undersized. Barr, at six-foot-five, obviously helps that problem.
Anthony Barr is the kind of player that can have a huge impact on a defense even when he is not adding things to the stat sheet.
Just look at the Los Angeles Chargers poor defensive showing against the New England Patriots. Having a big, versatile outside backer like Barr would have made a world of difference on the zones that the Patriots were able to exploit.