The Los Angeles Chargers are in need of improving their interior offensive line and free agency this offseason.
The team could also look to improve in the draft, but given the fact that they are a playoff contender, going through free agency is a must. That’s part of the reason why Pro Football Focus writer Bradley Locker suggested that the team should pursue Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency.
“The fact that the Chargers made the playoffs with the NFL’s worst offensive line by
overall PFF grade is borderline miraculous. Natural reinforcements will come via the returns of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, but the unit also needs an upheaval up the middle. Spending on Linderbaum is a prudent idea,” Locker wrote.
“Linderbaum has posted a 74.6 overall PFF grade or better in each of his four pro campaigns, and he’s allowed only two sacks over the last three seasons. Indeed, the former first-round pick is the second-most-valuable center since his debut, according to PFF’s Wins Above Replacement metric. Los Angeles holds the most available cap space going into free agency, and Linderbaum is an ideal candidate for a market-resetting deal.“
Linderbaum has been with the Ravens for the first four seasons of his career, and the former first-round pick out of Iowa could be looking for a new home, especially after head coach John Harbaugh was let go at the end of the season.
The Ravens will likely put in an offer to try and bring him back to Baltimore. The New York Giants could also be interested as it is Harbaugh’s new team. There’s also reason to believe his brother Jim might be interested in acquiring him as well.
Adding Linderbaum would shore up the interior part of the offensive line. If Slater and Alt can return to form and get healthy, Los Angeles’ biggest weakness may become one of its biggest strengths next season.
BFTB community, what do you think of the idea of bringing Linderbaum on board? Chime off in the comments section below.
