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Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

Melvin Ingram

Ingram is the only Chargers edge-rusher who can generate pressure besides the aging Freeney. "Can" is the key word here—Ingram has the ability to dominate an offense, but he hasn't shown it in his small sample of regular-season games.

The Chargers cannot afford to have Ingram become Larry English 2.0—they need him to be the player who controlled 49ers Pro Bowler Joe Staley for all 16 games.

A breakout season from Ingram would give the Chargers the type of edge-rusher they haven't seen since the days of Shawne Merriman. Opposing quarterbacks had an average quarterback rating of 96.4 versus the Chargers last season, which was fifth-worst in the NFL. Passers have the green light to take their time throwing against San Diego—in a division where the Denver Broncos loom large, that cannot be understated.

Te'o or Butler's ascension would also help the San Diego defense. However, neither player has as low of a floor and as high of a ceiling as Ingram does.

Ryan Mathews

It is safe to say Mathews is not the second coming of LaDainian Tomlinson. Still, he is the most important player in the Chargers offense not named Rivers.

San Diego placed sixth in the NFL with 486 rushing attempts in 2013. Mathews had 285 of those carries. The offense also averaged 6.6 plays per drive and had an average drive time of three minutes and 13 seconds, both first in the league. Mathews led the NFL in carries last December, during which San Diego went 4-1 and squeezed into the playoffs.

Rivers may be the star of the team, but Mathews' ability to wear down a defense defines how the Chargers like to play.

If Mathews goes down with an injury—not a bold scenario—San Diego will have to rely on Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead to pick up the slack. Brown has never surpassed 134 carries in a season. Woodhead's career high is 106.

A healthy Mathews means the Chargers can continue their grinding style of football. That means fewer chances for offenses to take advantage of their defense.

Jason Verrett

San Diego's recent history of drafting cornerbacks is poor. Quentin Jammer lasted a long time with the Bolts, but he never made a Pro Bowl. Antonio Cromartie had one great season before going to New York. Antoine Cason did little.

Will Verrett break this disappointing trend?

What is working in his favor is the addition of Flowers. Flowers can handle No. 1 receivers, so Verrett won't have too much on his plate as a rookie. However, that plan goes flying out the window if Flowers' poor 2013 wasn't a fluke.

Even if Flowers returns to his usual self, a one-two punch at cornerback is much more threatening to the Broncos than one good corner and a band of misfits. Early returns from Verrett would boost the confidence of San Diego's defense and its front office.