National Football League

Chargers free agency preview: How will San Diego upgrade the running game?

Published Feb. 24, 2015 7:57 p.m. ET

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Ross Jones

General manager Tom Telesco and head coach Mike McCoy enter their third season, looking to get over the hump as they've finished 9-7 the last two years.

With a team that finished 30th in rushing, the Chargers will look to bolster the interior of their offensive line. Longtime center Nick Hardwick retired this offseason, which presses the issue even more.

On the other side of the ball, the defense looks to bolster their secondary and patch together a defense that allowed the 26th most rushing yards in the league.

How they finished?

2014: 9-7 -- No postseason

2013: 9-7 -- Loss in divisional round against Denver

Projected salary cap space as of Feb. 1 (per Spotrac.com): 12th most with $22.1M

Potential free agency targets: The Chargers don't typically break the bank in free agency, but they could look to make a couple acquisitions this offseason. Upgrading the running back position is something they attempted to do a season ago, signing Donald Brown, but he didn't pan out. New Orleans' Mark Ingram is coming off a career year in which he ran for 964 yards and nine touchdowns. With Eddie Royal likely on his way out, the team could replace the longtime wide receiver with Jacksonville's Cecil Shorts.

Potential cap casualties: Tuesday's news of Jarrett Johnson's retirement gives the Chargers some extra spending money this offseason. Johnson, who was a $7.5 million cap hit, had been productive during his time in San Diego defending the run and setting the edge.

Extensions? They have Corey Liuget under contract as they placed the fifth-year option on him a year ago. He's set to earn $6.9 million this next season, but the team may want to give him a contract extension as a dominant season could drive up his price. Liuget has only missed one game in his four-year career. Over the past two seasons, Liuget has accounted for 99 tackles, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. He has also mastered the art of swatting balls at the line of scrimmage with 25 passes defensed in his career.

Offseason needs: Interior OL, WR (slot), RB and CBs

Notable free agents:  

WR Eddie Royal  

FS Marcus Gilchrist  

CB Shareece Wright  

RB Ryan Mathews  

C Doug Legursky  

C Rich Ohrnberger  

CB Brandon Flowers  

OLB Dwight Freeney  

OL Jeromey Clary  

WR Seyi Ajirotutu  

RB Ronnie Brown

P Mat McBriar

LB Andrew Gachkar 

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