NFL Power Rankings: 2017 Pre-NFL Draft Look at All 32 Teams
By Peter Panacy
The Los Angeles Chargers are one of those frustrating teams that should be vastly better than their record indicates.
On the positive side, the Chargers boast one of the best one-two punches up front with defensive end Joey Bosa and EDGE Melvin Ingram combining to create a formidable pass rush. But the secondary is a bit of a question mark, so it’s easy to see why the Chargers defense was vulnerable last season.
Yet the bigger problems reside on offense. Quarterback Philip Rivers was under a great deal of pressure last year to perform. He lacks protection up front and could use some more weapons at his disposal.
Unfortunately, this year doesn’t provide a lot of surefire offensive line prospects via the NFL Draft. It’s possible Los Angeles still has to deal with Rivers taking a good deal of sacks — not ideal for a 35-year-old quarterback.
If the Chargers were in any other division than the AFC West, they’d probably stand a little higher in NFL power rankings.
But their record from last year tells us a lot, and it’s going to be difficult to see vast changes despite the move to L.A.