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Ball-hawking safety a top need for Chargers in 2017

The Los Angeles Chargers have three players along the offensive line that will be 30 or older by the end of the 2017 season in center Matt Slauson, left tackle King Dunlap and left guard Orlando Franklin, so adding some young talent up front should be a priority this offseason.

While veteran Dwight Lowery was a solid contributor in 2016, the Chargers could use another playmaker in the back end defensively.

And at 35, Philip Rivers isn’t getting any younger, which means Chargers general manager Tom Telesco needs to surround his veteran quarterback with young playmakers to make his job easier. A big receiver on the perimeter also should be on this team’s menu of options this offseason.

Here, we take a first look at what I consider the top three areas of need for the Chargers, and a few options to fill those slots:

OFFENSIVE LINE: The Chargers for the most part stayed healthy up front, which is important for chemistry and cohesion up front. The front five started 12 games together this season. With how much the Chargers threw the ball in 2016, Rivers was sacked just 36 times, which put the team in the middle of the pack in the NFL for pass attempts per sack (16.1). And had Melvin Gordon played in one of the final three games, he would have reached 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. However, as I mentioned above, the Chargers need an infusion of young talent up front on the roster, likely at the left tackle position.

Solution through draft: Cam Robinson -– This year’s Outland Trophy winner has started at left tackle for the Crimson Tide since his freshman year and plays with an edge. Robinson’s strength is run blocking, but at 6-foot-5 and 327 pounds, he has the physique and athleticism to be a solid pass protector.

Solution through free agency: Riley Reiff -- It’s not a great market for offensive linemen, but Reiff is a former first-round selection who offers some versatility, with an ability to play both right tackle and left tackle. Reiff also is durable, missing just three games in five NFL seasons.

SAFETY: Jahleel Addae is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March. Addae is talented and experienced, but has had trouble staying on the field. Lowery also proved durable and provided stability for the Chargers in the secondary, but the defense could use more juice in the back end.

Solution through the draft: Malik Hooker -– The Ohio State product finished with eight interceptions in 2016 and would bring some much-needed speed to the Chargers’ secondary. New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley needs a player who can cover sideline to sideline like Earl Thomas in his scheme, and Hooker could fill that need.

Solution through free agency: John Cyprien –- The pending free agent knows Bradley’s scheme from his time with the Jaguars and could serve as a mentor for some of the players in the Chargers’ defensive backs room at the safety position.

WIDE RECEIVER: With Keenan Allen and Stevie Johnson missing the 2016 season due to knee injuries, the Chargers need more depth at this position. Tyrell Williams and Dontrelle Inman proved they can be solid contributors, but the Chargers need an answer should Allen, the team’s No. 1 receiver, continue to struggle to stay on the field.

Solution through the draft: Mike Williams -- The Clemson product was the most talented player on the field in the national championship game between Alabama and the Tigers. At 6-3 and 225 pounds, Williams is great at winning contested catches and the type of big target Rivers likes throwing to.

Solution through free agency: Alshon Jeffery –- A big, talented receiver who has yet to consistently play to his potential due to injury issues. Jeffery has played a full, 16-game season just twice in his five-year career. But both of those years Jeffery stayed healthy, he finished with more 1,000 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns.