The Los Angeles Chargers have been unusually active in free agency thus far in 2022. The bulk of the moves have come with respect to their defense, which is likely to improve it substantially. Here’s a current look at the team, with an emphasis on free agent moves and draft needs.

QB: One area that is plainly settled is at the quarterback position, where QB Justin Herbert is one of the top quarterbacks in the game. I don’t personally have tremendous confidence in Herbert’s back-ups, so it is possible that we see a later round draft pick, although I don’t consider this to be a pressing need if Herbert remains healthy.

RB: While RB Austin Ekeler is the clear starter, the Bolts’ back-up running backs have been hit and miss. They’ve probably been more miss than hit, but at time some have looked sharp. Again, not a massively pressing need, but one that may be addressed in this year’s draft.

WR: Fortunately, the Chargers have chosen to retain free agent WR Mike Williams, meaning that the team on paper has one of the best receiving corps in the league. The one two punch of Williams and WR Keenan Allen is formidable. The team has other solid options in promising 2^nd year man WR Joshua Palmer and WR Jalen Guyton. Again, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them grab a wideout in the draft, but I think the team is in pretty good shape at this position.

TE: In my view, the team upgraded the tight end position by the free agent addition of TE Gerald Everett, who will be the starter and a likely fantasy TE1. Their 2^nd string TE, hybrid speedster TE Donald Parham, Jr. and TE Tre’ McKitty gives the team reasonable depth. I don’t see this as a draft need for the team.

PK: I suspect that PK Dustin Hopkins will return, as Hopkins has been their most experienced and consistent kicker in the last 5 years or so.

DEF: The defense looks to have been shored up considerably with headline additions such at standout CB J.C. Jackson, DT Sebastian Joseph, DT Austin Johnson and DT Justin Jones. Unfortunately, the Bolts lost LB Kyzir White to the Eagles, so they will need some help at the linebacker position, and I expect that this will be addressed early in the 2022 draft.

The team looks to be improved for 2022, and they will need to be, as the AFC West should be a highly competitive division. I’ll be back after the draft with an analysis of the Chargers draft picks.

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