2024 Chargers News | Acquisitions | Transactions | Injuries

[Bolt4Knob]

I think that’s what we were doing with the occasional splashy big name FA. The problem was really the drafting side.

Sarell and Dicker were both signed using the ERFA status per Chargers.com. That puts the roster at 50 players - now just over $21m over the cap heading into the week end

And I do think Hortiz this year will find a lot of guys that are pretty cheap - spread the wealth around and not one Wilkins for instance.

And you are correct - it was the draft and development part that failed

[wu-dai clan]

Are we supposed to only use the draft, with this much of a change in philosophy ?

Our circumstances require usage of free agency initially.

[Bolt4Knob]

Are we supposed to only use the draft, with this much of a change in philosophy ?

Our circumstances require usage of free agency initially.

Of course Hortiz is going to use free agency - just at what cost and price point. I don't expect many big name signings. I have floated Wilkins but I think thats a long shot. Like the Popper article pointed out, I think the Houston model in year 1 makes sense - a bunch of players, maybe in that 2 -4m range on one or two year deals to build up the depth of the roster so that free agency can be used to add talent and not just fill holes.

[dmac_bolt]

I have mentioned Wilkins as the big money FA - but thats because of the position. If Hortiz can find a pretty solid replacement for half the cost - probably makes sense to be pragmatic this year with the spending to allow a rebuild with the draft to happen.

Player evaluation is the key - whether its Day of Free Agency or the second and third waves. You have to pick the right players, coach them up, etc. But, if you fail with the second or third wave player, it won't wreck your cap like missing on JCJ did

Ditto. He will be pricey, but cap can be managed to out years where we do not have a current forecast issue. He’s the guy that I’m not sure I see comparable cheaper options that would have his impact - we could sign some cheap IDL players and get more of what we’ve got the last decade but I strongly feel that this is a very high impact position with an elite player. They are fairly few unfortunately. I don’t expect it though.

[Chargers8491]

There is some chatter that the Lions maybe interested in Bosa and suggest trading for him for their 2nd round pick (#61). So far possible interest is from the 49ers and Lions. Maybe a bidding war? Who knows.

[FoutsFan]

Are we supposed to only use the draft, with this much of a change in philosophy ?

Our circumstances require usage of free agency initially.

If they are taking a sledge hammer to the team and its top talent as some posters want to create giant gaping holes we will need FA and the draft. No way we fill these huge holes with just the draft. Unless we are calling 2024 a total loss as we keep getting told no one wants, yet many are un officially clamoring for.

[Bolt4Knob]

Ditto. He will be pricey, but cap can be managed to out years where we do not have a current forecast issue. He’s the guy that I’m not sure I see comparable cheaper options that would have his impact - we could sign some cheap IDL players and get more of what we’ve got the last decade but I strongly feel that this is a very high impact position with an elite player. They are fairly few unfortunately. I don’t expect it though.

Just a note about the cap -- its only a negative if you miss on player evaluation or what happened with JC Jackson. I mean, Linsley was working out fine as a FA signing.

Looking at this list from NFL.com below, attached - it looks like Chris Jones, Wilkins and a bunch of players probably pretty even. Reader with the quad injuries - thats not good

So to your point, there doesn't seem to be that guy that is much different from the current guys on teh Chargers roster. . Maybe Teair Tart as I haven't heard of him so that gives him an advantage as the rest are probably on the downhill so your one year guys. Wilkins would be the target for me -. Javon Kinlaw might be a cheap target as well, not on the list though

Other positions:
C: Andre James from the Raiders

LB: Josey Jewell - always seemed to be a solid player for the Broncos

RB - Zack Moss
TE - Adam Trautman as he can block

Top 101 NFL free agents of 2024 ranked by position: Which spots have most/least depth?

[Bolt4Knob]

There is some chatter that the Lions maybe interested in Bosa and suggest trading for him for their 2nd round pick (#61). So far possible interest is from the 49ers and Lions. Maybe a bidding war? Who knows.

Bosa and Mack both make sense for the Lions. Well Edge is a need opposite Hutch,. If they want to send their 2nd round pick - sign me up for that

[wu-dai clan]

If they are taking a sledge hammer to the team and its top talent as some posters want to create giant gaping holes we will need FA and the draft. No way we fill these huge holes with just the draft. Unless we are calling 2024 a total loss as we keep getting told no one wants, yet many are un officially clamoring for.

I am taking Hortiz at face value when he says there will be no rip the band aid off approach.

If we draft Nabers @ #5, or Bowers, and we draft Jonah Elliss @ # 37, those are immediate replacements for Mack (trade) and MW (cap casualty).

The growing pains can be assuaged by signing midlevel UFAs deemed good value and fit.

Minter has not relied on EDGE for pressure, albeit he did talk up Khalil and Joey, first thing.

[Eurobolt]

Bosa for 2nd? Can I drive him to LAX?

[Topcat]

Are we supposed to only use the draft, with this much of a change in philosophy ?

Our circumstances require usage of free agency initially.

Of course Hortiz is going to use free agency - just at what cost and price point. I don't expect many big name signings. I have floated Wilkins but I think thats a long shot. Like the Popper article pointed out, I think the Houston model in year 1 makes sense - a bunch of players, maybe in that 2 -4m range on one or two year deals to build up the depth of the roster so that free agency can be used to add talent and not just fill holes.

Okay, let's take a look at the past 3 Ravens seasons, and see who they signed and lost in FA. Hortiz will probably follow a similar pattern, since he learned from DeCosta, and was in on personnel decisions. One interesting pattern, at least from 2023, is a LOT of cheap, one year deals. So we'll probably see more of the same. Another interesting pattern is that in 2021 and 2022, the Ravens let go a LOT of players to FA, which explains at least in part how they stockpiled so many draft picks. Get ready to see the Bolts unload a lot of players, especially the high-priced, underperforming ones. Finally, there were quite a few trades for picks...a LOT more than TT:

2023:

image.png
2022:
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2021:
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[Bolt4Knob]

Okay, let's take a look at the past 3 Ravens seasons, and see who they signed and lost in FA. Hortiz will probably follow a similar pattern, since he learned from DeCosta, and was in on personnel decisions. One interesting pattern, at least from 2023, is a LOT of cheap, one year deals. So we'll probably see more of the same. Another interesting pattern is that in 2021 and 2022, the Ravens let go a LOT of players to FA, which explains at least in part how they stockpiled so many draft picks. Get ready to see the Bolts unload a lot of players, especially the high-priced, underperforming ones.

2023:

image.png
2022:
image.png

2021:
image.png

Madubuike just signed for close to $100m or something

Wilkins will get that much money

I am good if the Chargers stay out of that bidding war for Wilkins

I stand by my guess that the top 53 will have a roster turnover of 26-28 players...