4 pending free agents in Super Bowl LV the Chargers could consider signing

The biggest game of the year is just days away, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

While many around the world are gathering around to watch the contest for entertainment purposes, teams across the league are using this as a part of their evaluation process for the offseason.

Each team will have a slew of soon-to-be free agents that could draw their attention. With that, here are four players that the Los Angeles Chargers should have their eyes on:

CB Bashaud Breeland, Chiefs

The Chargers need to add more talent to the position. Whether it was a maneuvering of scheme or injuries, Casey Hayward didn’t look himself in 2020, and he’s slated to be a free agent after the upcoming season, along with Chris Harris Jr. Michael Davis is set to be a free agent. There isn’t much else on the roster that can be considered reliable when called upon.

The 28-year-old Breeland had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2020, breaking up seven passes and picking off two. Among all outside cornerbacks who saw at least 15 playoff snaps over 2019-20, Breeland’s overall grade of 82.2 ranks third, and his 84.7 coverage grade ranks second, according to Pro Football Focus.

C Austin Reiter, Chiefs

The Chargers could elect to move on from both Mike Pouncey and Dan Feeney, both of whom are slated to be free agents.

Reiter served as a swing option early on in his career before becoming a reliable starter along a line that was hampered by injuries throughout the season.

Reiter has proven to be a premiere pass-blocker, with Pro Football Focus grades of at least 78.0 in every season of significant playing time in that area. This season, Reiter didn’t allow a single pressure and wasn’t penalized at all.

Shaquil Barrett, OLB, Buccaneers

It might be a long shot, but given the fact that Melvin Ingram will be a free agent, Barrett’s a guy worth monitoring as a potential replacement.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2014, he spent his first five years as a rotational pass rusher for the Broncos. He finally got his chance to start with the Buccaneers in 2019, and broke out with a monstrous season, notching 19.5 sacks. Barrett followed that up with eight sacks in 2020.

Barrett is a natural outside linebacker, so he would slide perfectly into coach Brandon Staley’s 3-4 scheme. Given his most recent track record of elite play, Barrett might demand top dollar, which is why Los Angeles may elect to pass up on the opportunity.

NT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Buccaneers

The Chargers got high production out of Linval Joseph, who was signed last offseason. However, the team could benefit from valued additions to the nose tackle spot.

Nunez-Roches was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Chiefs, where he played three seasons. He signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent in 2018 and is finishing his third season with the Bucs.

Even though the production isn’t inspiring in the stat sheet, his disruption affects the game and frees up his teammates to make plays. Nunez-Roches wins in a variety of ways with his blend of power and quickness to infiltrate gaps, get upfield and find the ball.