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So....in addition to Adams, DK Metcalf has requested a trade. Unsure yet if he'll actually hit the market but would you pursue? He's been productive during his time in the league and is only 27. Red or green light?
@buck-melanoma There was a report last night that at least one team is willing to offer a 3rd round pick for him. Even though I think he's a talented WR and would be a good fit, I wouldn't want to do that + have to give him a big extension.
I would rather just try and sign Davante.
@blue-beers I dunno. Tell me what 3rd round draft pick would come in and immediately offer the production and veteran savviness Metcalf can offer.
In that situation, the contract is the deciding factor for me, not the pick.
Well, this confirms what I thought I heard the TDU guys say. Far too expensive, IMO. I'm not at all sure I'd pay his likely salary request, much less this bounty in picks. I am now a bright red light on this move.
Man I can't wait to free agency just so we can stop reading about every player that is available or asking for a trade being speculated to the Chargers. Outside of Adams because he is a perfect fit for what we need at WR, I don't see the team spending big $ on a splash signing. I think the $ will be spread out with a bunch of mid level deals.
What are everyone's thoughts on Evan Engram? He's ostensibly the best receiving TE on the market now, however I'm pretty on the fence with him and not sure he's a Harbaugh type of player.
He's more of a big slot receiver for starters. Hasn't taken a lot of snaps from inline TE spot and was never much of a blocker (despite his PFF blocking grade in an abbreviated season last year).
Also been somewhat injury prone and lastly he has always had issues with drops...
@blue-beers I believe Ryan would say he's not a fit in this offense, as we need our TE's to have that inline ability. I've been pestering him about Kyle Pitts, and he said Pitts would probably need to convert to X to work in our offense, which his $10M salary is way too much for such a dice roll.
So I'd probably say no... but if we were to go after a Engram-type TE, I wouldn't hate rolling the dice on Pitts' upside, personally. And I think the Falcons are ready to let him go for a late late pick, or even a pick swap, to get out from hims guaranteed $10M+ salary.
@kylededi based on all the reports about his laziness, Pitts does NOT seem like a Harbaugh guy.
@blue-beers Oh man, I haven't read up on all that. If that's the case, I'd be out... but if it's a Vernon Davis situation where Harbaugh can straighten out a player that had prior issues under a different coach, maybe Jim thinks he can straighten him out?
@blue-beers I'd much rather have Andrews if the Ravens cut him. If not, I'd much rather have Juwan Johnson, who played with Herbert at Oregon.
@tau837 love the Juwan Johnson call-out, that seems like a solid option.
I really don't think Andrews gets released - his late season production bounced his value back up.
They may move on from him - but he should be easy to trade and get value - he's only due 11M and had 11 TD's last year despite starting slow after that car accident seemed to slow the first half of his season.
I'd be interested in a modest trade for him though, if it's on the table.
@kylededi The reason they would move on from Andrews is because they have Likely and need cap space. I have read that there is a chance he gets released. If not, nothing to see here.
DT Jonathan Allen was just released by Washington after an injury-shortened season. He’s 30 with 2 recent Pro Bowls tucked under his straining belt. Contract was for $21 last year. If the Chargers could get him on a bounce-back contract, then maybe. But I’m putting a red light on this. However, if the team can’t re-sign Poona and/or Tart, that light gets a little more pink.
@smith I'm a red light either way. I'm hoping to resign both Ford and Tart and still hit the position in the draft. If one isn't re-signed, maybe a double dip. But Allen doesn't inspire any interest from me.
@buck-melanoma Harold Landry was released by the Titans. Trey Hendrickson has the ok to look for a trade. They’d both be pretty spendy, so I’d likely red light both of these no matter how much help the d-line needs.
After Erick’s comment earlier, I’m trying to think of the position(s) where I’d be interested in the team doing its Tiffany’s shopping. WR seems like a possibility. Outside of that, IOL (but I’m not sure who the player would be), and just maybe CB (but I’m already having JC Jackson flashbacks).
@smith I think we can get an IOL journeyman vet to be a bridge while a draft pick is developed and an upgrade to Pipkins pretty reasonably. WR or CB is where I think some cash may be dropped.
I think Hortiz has like around 26 roster spots to fill. With 10 draft picks we would be lucky if 7 made the team. That leaves about 19 players. Unless we are planning on 4-5 UDFA making the team, how can Hortiz be shopping at the top of the market? Even 90M in cap space dries up quick with a few 20M+ signings. This cycle might be one high priced FA (Adams?) and a bunch of mid level guys. That's the curse of getting production from a bunch of one year deals. They leave holes of production at many positions. As it sits right now on 3/8 we have holes at:
QB: 2/3
RB: 1/2/3 (unless you consider Vidal #3, then it's 1/2/4)
WR: 1/3/5 (expecting anything more than WR4 from QJ is lunacy)
TE: 1 (considering they have Dissly/Smartt/Fisk penciled in for 2-4)
OL: C, RG, 1 swing IOL, 2 Swing OT (assuming Pipkins is cut)
Edge: 1/2
DT: at least 3 starters
LB: 3/4 (if you consider Colson LB2, if not make it LB 2/4)
CB: 1/4/5 (considering we keep 6 and wish casting Taylor gets cut & Leonard is CB6)
S: 4/5 (considering how many we want to keep)
That's 26 players just for starters/2nd stringers. This isn't even factoring in the extra DB/LB/RB/WR that might be kept for ST purposes. How are we shopping for the expensive toys unless you want the Telesco Madden model where the starters are great, but the depth sucks, so pray for no injuries?
My math on the roster could be a little off, but it's 6:30AM and I haven't had coffee yet, but you get the general idea. We won't be shopping at Dollar Tree again, but don't expect to be at Tiffany's for more than a purchase or two either. Get comfortable with Target prices.
@evolz3737 I wouldn't want more than 1 or 2 "Tiffany's" signings. I want to see this team move more toward drafting and developing. And of course building higher quality depth.
@evolz3737 I believe they currently have 28 players under contract who will make the final roster, barring injury:
- Offense (14):
- QB (1) - Herbert
- RB (2) - Vidal, Haskins
- FB (1) - Matlock
- WR (4) - McConkey, Johnston, Davis, Rice
- No guarantee Rice makes it, but assuming that for now
- TE (2) - Dissly, Fisk
- OL (4) - LT Slater, LG Johnson, RT Alt, OL Salyer
- Defense (13):
- Edge (2) - Tuipulotu, Dupree
- IDL (2) - Ogbonnia, Eboigbe
- Plus Matlock, though I think he will gravitate towards fulltime FB
- LB (2) - Henley, Colson
- CB (4) - Still, Hart, Taylor, Leonard
- S (3) - James, Gilman, Molden
- Special Teams (2):
- PK (1) - Dicker
- LS (1) - Harris
So they need at least 25 more. If 7 draft picks makes it, that leaves 18.
For RB, you are ignoring Haskins, but he should stick because he plays special teams.
At CB, I don't think much of Taylor, but I would be mildly surprised if he gets cut. There is no cap savings to be had by cutting him, and they already need to add at least 1-2 CBs. Cutting Taylor just makes that depth problem worse.
I would be a bit surprised if 11 DBs make the final 53 man roster. Here is what I think they would target positionally on that final roster, along with some speculative names:
- Offense (26):
- QB (2) - Herbert, Heinicke
- Stick signed to practice squad
- RB (4) - Dobbins, TBD rookie draft pick, Vidal, Haskins
- FB (1) - Matlock
- WR (6) - Adams, McConkey, Johnston, Davis, Rice, Fehoko
- No guarantee Rice or Fehoko make it, but assuming they will battle with some other cheap veteran/UDFA free agents and/or a rookie draft pick
- TE (4) - Juwan Johnson, Dissly, Fisk, Smartt
- OL (9) - LT Slater, LG Johnson, C Bozeman, RG TBD veteran free agent, RT Alt, OL Salyer, C TBD, TBD IOL, OT Sarell
- Depending on how they fill my TBD center spot, Bozeman may or may not start
- I hope they sign two starting caliber veteran free agent IOL players, whether a C and G or two guards
- QB (2) - Herbert, Heinicke
- Defense (24):
- Edge (4) - Mack, TBD, Tuipulotu, Dupree
- TBD could be a rookie draft pick or a veteran free agent; in this scenario a rookie draft pick probably needs to be early (1st/2nd)
- There is some possibility Dupree could get cut, in which case I would expect a veteran free agent and a rookie draft pick; in this scenario, the right veteran free agent could mean waiting longer on the rookie draft pick
- IDL (5) - Ford, Tart, TBD, Ogbonnia, Eboigbe
- Plus Matlock, though I think he will gravitate towards fulltime FB
- TBD could be a rookie draft pick or a veteran free agent
- LB (5) - Henley, Colson, Dye, Niemann, rookie draft pick
- CB (6) - TBD veteran free agent, Still, Hart, Taylor, Leonard, TBD
- The first TBD needs to be a starter caliber outside corner
- The second could be another, cheaper veteran free agent or a rookie draft pick; signing the first TBD veteran starter means the Chargers don't have to prioritize CB high in the draft
- S (4) - James, Gilman, Molden, Jefferson
- Edge (4) - Mack, TBD, Tuipulotu, Dupree
- Special Teams (2):
- PK (1) - Dicker
- P (1) - Scott
- LS (1) - Harris
Get the TBDs right, and this is a contending roster IMO, at least unless Roman keeps it from contending.
@tau837 This could play out, but you are assuming a bunch of players re signing in this formula (Mack, Dye, Dobbins, Scott, Jefferson, Niemann, Ford, Tart, Heinecke and Stick) and there’s no guarantee they will be back or the replacements will be as good. There’s a very real chance Mack, Ford, Dobbins and Tart don’t come back. That leaves a lot of gaping holes that need to be filled before the draft and not even considering the already glaring needs at CB1, Edge, WR1 and RB1 and CB, Edge and WR are some of the more expensive free agency positions. There’s a lot to flesh out starting Monday.
@evolz3737 Well, sure, obviously I have made a lot of assumptions, and any number of them may not come to pass. That's the nature of discussion of this subject at this point.
@tau837 very true. This is why I find this part of the season so fascinating. I love the Xs and Os from playing the game, but I love the roster building portion even more. This year will be exciting to see what direction they decide to take the roster. Especially with so much $ we will really get an idea of how they envision a more complete contender. I have a feeling that ground and pound style they tried to start with last year was a buttoned up way of trying to be competitive with a less talented roster. In theory, by grinding the game down and playing disciplined, you can limit mistakes and give your opponent less opportunities. As we all know sometimes one or two mistakes are the difference between a W and a L.
IMO, I'd much rather pay Mack a similar salary and keep the draft picks. Henderson is only one year younger. Mack brings qualities to this team that yes, ARE "intangible" but very real and important. I would red light a pursuit of Henderson at this cost and work very hard to retain Mack.
@buck-melanoma Hendrickson is 3 years younger (almost 4).
I'd prefer Mack, but Hendrickson would be a legit star at EDGE for some years.
@buck-melanoma Well he plays like he's 31 - let's hope for another few good years from him before he declines!
@bolt_dk This might be blasphemy, but I would be OK if Mack didn’t come back. I’d rather get rid of a player a year to early rather than late. He’s 34. We are never seeing that 2023 season ever again. Father Time is undefeated and we really need a new lead dog at Edge. Tuli is more of an edge setter than a pass rusher which is what this defense needs.
34.5 sacks the last 2 years. Talk is that a 3rd rounder might get it done. $18M this year.. seems like a no brainer?
@66_jimbo if Mack would stay for 18M (not saying he will) I'll take his play and leadership all day.
Adams to Rams. There goes that dream. Might be looking the draft earlier than expected for WR.
@66_jimbo Damn shame. This contract is pretty reasonable. Maybe the pop tart gag really chapped his ass?
@evolz3737 Maybe he felt the Rams were "closer". They weren't far from beating the SB winner....
DK to Steelers
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