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Starting a forum to talk about the upcoming cuts in the next 24-hours. Players from other teams cuts that the Chargers should/may go after. Trades to be made. Practice squad to be built out.
I will kick it off with Ernest Jones the stud LB from the Rams being given permission to seek a trade. Has a family wants to stay in SoCal. Is there a deal to be made here?
PFF Grades:
Overall Grade 78.8 13th/82
Run Defense Grade 86.2 7th/84
Pass Rush Grade 83.1 6th/62
Pass Coverage Grade 57.7 54th/77
Ernest is a tackling machine. The coverage grade is below average and concerning. RAS of 6.96 (4.73 40). 2-down LB possibly.
I rather wait for something better for an in-season trade.
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Simi or Brenden? Or both? I just don’t see that they can carry 7-receivers. Is there a trade to be made with a team like Detroit, who are thin at WR depth?
Parham or Stone? Or both?
Does JT Woods make the team? Does he have a true position? I’m not sure that I trust him at Safety or Corner (maybe at CB, just not yet). He was out of position on the final play that got picked by Kennedy.
Looks like Mike White (QB) was released by the Dolphins and CJ Uzomah (TE) Was released by the Eagles. Mike White is definitely a big upgrade at QB and Uzomah might be an upgrade as a better all around TE. Depending on what they think of the LB corps, Olakunle Fatukasi was released by the Rams. Not sure he is perfect for the scheme, but he could be some good veteran depth. We will need to see what is released in the next 24 hours, but Mike White should be getting called immediately.
@evolz3737 I looked at the early cuts and saw CJ Uzomah out there. He is 31 and tailed off quite a bit. I say we get younger at that position.
@spanos-must-go Understood, but the time to get younger is the draft and FA. This time of year is strictly about putting the best 53 out there regardless of age. If he is an upgrade for the impending season at 31, so be it at this point.
Interesting article on QBs cut/available: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-best-qbs-available-after-2024-nfl-roster-cuts-patriots-bailey-zappe-among-notable-names-released/
I think the most appealing names from the list are Rypien and Beathard. I think I would be working out both of them this week.
Since it’s clear that Easton Stick will not be QB2 and he certainly wouldn’t get picked up on waivers if cut, why keep him on the initial 53? Cutting him now allows the team to protect another (better) player from the first round of waiver adds.
@kathmandusteve I think they would keep him if they’re still contemplating him being QB2 if no better option presents itself post-roster cuts. It’s some insurance until you know you can land a better QB2 off waivers.
However, if they’ve resolved that he won’t be on their roster in 2024 under any circumstance, they may as well cut him on Tuesday.
Surprise cuts: Pick ‘em.
if you get to this before 1pm LA time tomorrow, who are your surprise (and remember it’s surprise—so no picking Spiller) cuts?
Tier 1 (1-2% chance of being cut): would make you swear Hortiz is just Telesco in a bald wig;
Tier 2 (3-5%): what in the absolute fuck!;
Tier 3 (5-9%): I’ll sleep on it, but I won’t be any happier tomorrow;
Tier 4 (10-25%): I know you only get 53, but that dude ain’t 54.
My SURPRISE cuts go like this:
Tier 1: Jamaree Salyer (ain’t happening)
Tier 2: AJ Finley
Tier 3: Morgan Fox
Tier 4: Nick Niemann
Who you got?
QJ was at the top of my list, too. There is a world in which he gets the axe. I don’t think it will happen, but it’s a remote possibility. Ogbonnia and Woods are definitely close to the cut line.
@dtsmith-fiatbux
Not a huge surprise, but Davis being cut is still a possibility.
Surprise keep: Spiller
Man, if they keep Spiller—and they might—that sends ripples all down the line.
Davis is a weird one. He’s a punt/kick returner only. Regardless of the magnificent run against the Cowboys, he’s not an offensive weapon. Lay a finger on him and he crumples. He can’t block. Where does he fit on this team? We’ll find out in a few hours.
@kevdiego They waived Spiller per Adam Schefter. Of interest in that draft the Raiders traded up in the 4th round one spot in front of the Chargers and took Zamir White. Chargers took Spiller.
Spiller and Leatherwood both released, according to NFL.com. What might have been for both of them.
This is my current 53 man roster projection:
- Offense (25):
- QB (2) – Herbert, Stick
- However, I expect the Chargers to claim Huntley if waived by Cleveland… or claim/sign another QB… assuming they do, I think they release Stick and probably sign him to the practice squad
- RB (4) – Edwards, Dobbins, Vidal, Patterson
- FB (0) –
- WR (7) – McConkey, Palmer, Johnston, Chark, Fehoko, Rice, Davis
- Seems possible they will try to hold Rice initially, then possibly waive him later than the initial waivers to make room for another roster cut they claim off waivers (e.g., a TE)
- TE (3) – Dissly, Hurst, Smartt
- OL (9) – LT Slater, LG Johnson, C Bozeman, RG Pipkins, RT Alt, Jaimes, McFadden, Salyer, Sarell
- QB (2) – Herbert, Stick
- Defense (25):
- Edge (5) – Mack, Bosa, Tuli, Dupree, Morris-Brash
- IDL (5) – Ford, Tart, Fox, Ogbonnia, Eboigbe
- I think they like Matlock and want to keep him for some odd reason, but realize he’ll make it through waivers to practice squad… not confident in this prediction, but need it for the numbers everywhere else
- LB (5) – Perryman, Henley, Colson, Dye, Niemann
- CB (6) – Samuel, Fulton, Taylor, Leonard, Still, Hart
- S (4) – James, Gilman, Finley, Woods
- I realize it is possible they keep Jefferson and waive Woods… I hope not
- Special Teams (3):
- PK (1) – Dicker
- P (1) – Scott
- LS (1) – Harris
The one thing that surprises me about this breakdown is just 3 TEs, with Smartt being one of them, and 0 fullbacks. I know they have experimented with McFadden and Matlock at FB, but neither of them seems capable of playing 400 snaps at FB. In 9 of 10 seasons as a NFL OC, Roman had a FB played 400+ snaps on offense. It might feel different if they had a strong and deep TE group, but they don’t.
If I were them, I’d trade Davis and keep a 4th TE. As of today, that would be Parham for me, but maybe one of the better blockers for Harbaugh/Roman.
While I expect them to keep Davis, there is a roster tension around this IMO — 3 TEs, including Smartt, who is not a great blocker, and 0 FBs, is an unexpected roster makeup for Harbaugh/Roman.
@tau837 I think this is spot on. Couple of minor tweaks. I don’t see them moving into the season with 3-TEs as you point out. I think Parham makes it over Smartt. I think they will be watching the waiver wire for a 4th TE.
just can’t see 7-receivers on the 53. Maybe for a day and then they grab another position player off of waivers and waive Rice (move him to PS).
I think Telesco will be sniffing around the Chargers cut list. Especially because the Chargers open against the Raiders.
I’m not a fan of 6-interior players and I like that you show five. I think Teair Tart takes Matlocks position.
Hardest one is Jefferson/Woods. They moved Woods to CB because he can’t play safety. Jefferson can play safety, but outside of the last preseason game had not been relevant in several years.
I think they will grab 1-2 players off waivers and replace a couple on this list.
Like it. To respond:
QB: the team has to keep Stick, initially
RB: Patterson would probably clear waivers, but why risk it?
TE: Smartt would clear waivers faster than Parham bc of measurables, so I’m 50/50 here
WR: Fehoko would probably clear waivers before Rice, so that’s a consideration
OL: seems right… unless their really in love with Leatherwood for some reason
EDGE: yep, with Rumph on PUP
DL: they keep Matlock and…
LB: Niemann starts on PUP
CB: good
S: no one is going to poach Jefferson on the strength of one game, but I don’t know if he can go to PS with his NFL service. Woods can, though.
Like it. To respond:
QB: the team has to keep Stick, initially
RB: Patterson would probably clear waivers, but why risk it?
TE: Smartt would clear waivers faster than Parham bc of measurables, so I’m 50/50 here
WR: Fehoko would probably clear waivers before Rice, so that’s a consideration
OL: seems right… unless they’re really in love with Leatherwood for some reason
EDGE: yep, with Rumph on PUP
DL: they keep Matlock and…
LB: Niemann starts on PUP
CB: good
S: no one is going to poach Jefferson on the strength of one game, but I don’t know if he can go to PS with his NFL service. Woods can, though.
@dtsmith-fiatbux Very good 🤣
Not sure if you know Electric Light Orchestra’s “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” but that’s more up my alley:
“You’ve got that Stooooooone Smartt (Stone Smartt), sweet catchin’ tiiiight end (Stone Smartt), he’s out there running’ (Stone Smartt), and catchin’ Touchdowns”
I believe Jefferson, as a 10 year vet, does not have to clear waivers and could have signed with the Chargers PS with zero risk of being claimed by another team if he CHOSE to do so (that would be the big question). Since he made the team, the point is moot.
This is a very good projection. It’s how I see it, too with both Edge & IDL at 5 each. The only reason why Eboigbe makes it over Clark bc they need a 2nd DE behind Fox. They’re set at NT w/ Ford, Tart & Otito. I think Clark had a really good camp and preseason games to showcase what he can do for the run defense.
I prefer for Jefferson to make it over Woods even though Woods has shown more life to his game than I had expected from him. Woods should clear waivers to the PS while Jefferson could make an impact on the defense right away.
Just read that out of 1200 cuts last year only 24 players were picked up. Less than 1-player team.
I know that very few players get poached each year, and I wonder if the major factor is:
1: Teams cut mediocre players, or;
2: Teams protect the guys who are likely to be snagged by other teams (based on position, preseason play, or whatever)
It’s a fine hair to split, but a hairless Hortiz needs to split it.
QBs cut already:
Desmond Ridder, Mike White, CJ Beathard, Sean Clifford, Michael Pratt, Luis Perez (Chargers).
I’d love for them to sign Ridder. White would be good. The rest… not so much. I’m on Huntley watch.
Peterman might have been the best QB on that team. Wouldn’t take any of them to carry the Gatorade.
Brett Rypien is available. I don’t love him, but is a little better than Stick?
Reportedly released/waived so far:
- QB Perez
- RB Spiller
- WR Jaylen Johnson
- TE Parham
- TE Heins
- OL Leatherwood
- Edge Savion Jackson
- Edge Shelby
- Edge Farmer
- S Harper
No major surprises. Parham is probably the closest to a surprise on this list.
@tau837 On the final 53 the only ones that caused me a mild surprise were: Donald Parham and Trevon Morris-Brash. The rest made sense. Jefferson made it as did Woods. With that said, they may make another move or two to the 53. Practice Squad starting tomorrow.
@spanos-must-go The only surprise to me is Parham getting cut/only carrying 4 TEs and no fullback. That could change in the next few days.
Also will be interesting to see if they keep Stick.
Lastly, I am still surprised they’re comfortable with Jaimes as the backup C. I think he’s going to be a disaster for Herbert if Bozeman misses any time.
Also, Hi guys!
@blue-beers It’s only 3 TEs. Agree, as I posted earlier in the thread, 3 TEs and 0 FB (as I predicted), doesn’t really make sense to me. (Yet I predicted it.)
I missed on Morris-Brash and Niemann not making it and Jefferson and Matlock making it, though Niemann is going on IR, so couldn’t have known that, and I understood that they really wanted to keep Matlock for whatever reason.
@tau837 Yes meant 3 TEs, that was a typo. There’s almost no way they make it through the season with only 3 so the only question is whether they’re adding someone very soon or at a later date.
I’m not surprised at all about Morris-Brash. 5 Edge players is not needed, and there was no mention of him becoming a core special teamer either. He probably would’ve been inactive every game and not even sure he’d be ahead of Rumph if he comes back. Also, seems like they valued Fehoko’s ST contributions higher.
@tau837 I know you differ on this but I’m happy at least for now that Tony Jefferson gets a chance.
He was PFF’s #1 graded Defensive player of the preseason (20% snap min.) of 199 players graded.
I know Wk 3 would have skewed that, but he was also good Wk 1 and can’t say he didn’t earn it.
@alisterlloyd If he carries that grade over whatever defensive snaps he plays in the regular season, I will be thrilled! Not expecting that…
@tau837 I think what helps is that Safety, as much as any position, allows IQ to make up for (some) lack of physical traits. I think that gives him a chance not to be a liability, and I could think of worse Safety 4s to come into the game when the stakes are high, if needed. He’s seen it all. Let’s hope he replicates his preseason form during the regular season. Needs to survive the next few days first though :-p
@alisterlloyd I get it. Why didn’t that happen 2019-2023? It’s a rhetorical question at this point. He made the roster, so I hope he plays great.
Agree on Parham. Not a major shock, but thought they may roll with him and Smartt.
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