San Diego Chargers Free Agency Update

It was a busy weekend for Tom Telesco and the San Diego Chargers. The front office could not reel in the big Fish, Ndamukong Suh, who inked the largest deal for a defensive player in NFL history with the Miami Dolphins, but they made a flurry of moves to patch up holes in the roster.

FA SIGNINGS to DATE (3/9/15)

King Dunlap, LT (Previous Team: Chargers)The Chargers inked their bookend, blindside tackle, King Dunlap, to a 4 year, $28 M deal a few weeks ago. Despite a $7M per year average, the genius of TT kept his cap hit at only $4.1 M for the 2015 season to ensure that he still had plenty of cash to play with.

King Dunlap counts $4.15M against 2015 cap. Part of his win-win deal with Chargers: http://t.co/HrdoMv6jye

— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) March 3, 2015

Jacoby Jones, KR/PR/WR (Previous Team: Ravens) Jones signed a 2 year deal with the Bolts worth $5.5 M. Based on his production at receiver last year, I do not expect Jones to be much of a player in the offense next season. His skills on the offensive side leave something to be desired. He needs to stay fresh for return opportunities and provide a spark in that aspect of the game. Accompanying this signing was the release of backup linebacker Reggie Walker, saving the Bolts $1M in cap space this offseason.

It’s a new day……. #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/e2axPpECzJ — Jacoby jones (@TheRealJacoby12) March 6, 2015

Brandon Flowers, CB (Previous Team: Chargers)Flowers is set to sign a 4 year deal worth $36 M. The cap hit for 2015 is still unknown, but it is safe to assume it is less that $9M to maintain flexibility for TT. This was the biggest signing of free agency for the Chargers. As a top-2 corner on the market, it was Flowers or bust if the Bolts wanted to maintain any resemblance of a revitalized secondary. Flowers was one of the best corners in the NFL last season, and the only reason the Chargers were able to get him for so cheap was the fact that he will be 30 before the season starts.

Chargers CB Brandon Flowers set to sign four-year, $36M contract: http://t.co/4ziftKBfLZ

— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) March 8, 2015

Brandon Flowers getting close to top-10 CB $$$. He can be that player. Certainly safer bet to live up to contract than Derek Cox was in ’13. — UTKevinAcee (@UTKevinAcee) March 8, 2015

Orlando Franklin, RT, LG (Previous Team: Broncos)It’s impossible to hate any signing that involves stealing a good young player from a division rival. Franklin started at RT for the Broncos for two years before switching to LG last season. Franklin graded higher than fellow free agent guard, Mike Iupati by PFF. The deal is reported to include an average of $7.2 M per year, with $14+ M guaranteed. The deal appears to be for 5 years, $36 M. This contract would make Franklin the highest-paid RT in the NFL. Whether the Chargers plan on playing him at the left guard or right tackle spot is unknown. But, playing him at RT would allow DJ Fluker to kick inside to RG and be much more effective as a run blocker.

Source on Saturday characterized OL Orlando Franklin to Chargers as “unofficially done.” Continue to hear same.

— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) March 8, 2015

@OFranklin74 Franklin’s deal with @Chargers is for $7.2 million average/year with $14 million guaranteed. — Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 9, 2015

The Chargers still have some cash to spend, but it is likely less than $15 M of true spending money when factoring in the $4M or so they need to retain for rookie contracts. They still have needs at center, guard, running back, defensive tackle, and defensive end. Ryan Mathews and Eddie Royal are still available, and the Chargers could likely bring them back for less than $4 M a year, given the low interest around the league in Royal and the running back position in general.

Then, of course, the possibility of trading for Adrian Peterson still looms in the minds of many Chargers fans. Long story short, the Chargers still have plenty options to fill out the roster at a couple spots and maintain flexibility before and after the draft.

Who would you like to see the Chargers pick up with the remaining cap space?

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