The San Diego Chargers are coming into the offseason after just missing the playoffs and the team could be active in free agency, as names like Adrian Peterson, Randall Cobb, Mike Iupati, Reggie Bush, Nick Fairley, Vince Wilfork and Ryan Mathews could be potential targets and this comes after the team has signed Jacoby Jones after he was released by the Ravens.
The Chargers had a strong season offensively, but they dealt with numerous injuries at running back and that could lead the team to focus there this winter. The free agent market has a deep list of players at the position with DeMarco Murray and CJ Spiller, while the draft class in 2015 also has some depth. Ryan Mathews is hitting the market after dealing with injuries last season and early in free agency the Chargers have been linked to some big names, including Randall Cobb, Adrian Peterson, Ndamukong Suh, Mike Iupati and Jeremy Maclin.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Chargers are going to "make a run" at Suh and could be a wild card in the chase for the defensive lineman. Suh is considered to be the top free agent on the market and he reportedly could get a contract worth over $100 million and $50 million guaranteed. It looks like Suh is the Dolphins to lose, as most reports have him going to Miami, but he has a meeting set with the Raiders and will get plenty of offers on the open market. The release of Dannell Ellerbe, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson shows the Dolphins are ready to spend and Suh looks like he will be their main focus.
According to CBS Sports, Adrian Peterson has listed the Chargers as one team he would accept a trade to if he can't work out a deal with the Vikings. Reports have the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts as potential landing spots for Peterson if he doesn't return to Minnesota and his future could be decided over money. The Chargers have also been linked to Randall Cobb and clearly they are casting a wide net in free agency, but won't be able to hook them all.
Adding a player like Cobb or Maclin could be huge for Philip Rivers, who had another solid season under head coach Mike McCoy. Cobb is coming off of a career year and NFL.com reports that he could command $11 million or $12 million per season on the open market. According to ESPN.com, the Chargers may go after Mike Iupati in free agency, as the former Pro Bowl lineman is hitting the open market and the 49ers may not re-sign him.
The Chargers come into the offseason with over $25 million in cap space and they could add more if they release veterans heading into the start of free agency. Ronnie Brown is a free agent and may not come back and the team may also let Ryan Mathews go in free agency. The Chargers have Danny Woodhead coming back after dealing with an injury, while Donald Brown also could get an elevated role if Mathews leaves.
