The Los Angeles Chargers’ free agency spending has been kept to a minimum.
They’ve signed in-house players such as Michael Schofield, Geremy Davis, and Nick Dzubnar. They have only signed three free agents coming from other teams in Caleb Sturgis, Virgil Green and Mike Pouncey. With about $12 million left in cap space, the Bolts can’t really make too many moves right now. However, there could still be cuts coming on the way should they decide to go after someone like Jonathan Hankins, who I think would fit well into what the Bolts are looking for.
Knowing Tom Telesco, he certainly wants to prioritize on improving the team through the draft. Now, looking at the needs (LB, DT/NT, FS), the Bolts can afford to wait until the draft before grabbing those players instead of desperately throwing money at a sub-par player. Hankins will likely be looking for $7-8 million a year, and the Chargers probably cannot afford that unless they significantly restructure contracts (Corey Liuget/Philip Rivers) and make a couple cuts (Brandon Mebane) to get closer to $18-19 million in cap room. Then, Hankins is someone who I’d love to see signed at a reasonable deal. Somewhere in the neighborhood of three years and $20 million with around $10 million guaranteed.
The Chargers defensive line would then look something like Melvin Ingram/Hankins/question mark/Joey Bosa. The “question mark” will hopefully still be addressed in the draft in either the first or second round (imagine an Ingram/Hankins/Vea/Bosa defensive line).
That leaves the team’s immediate needs remaining at the free safety and linebacker positions. There has literally been no reports about Tre Boston, so I have no idea where he will end up next year. The safety market has been really really soft and Boston is obviously not going to get the money he thinks he deserves.
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If I’m Tom Telesco, I’m certainly keeping a close eye on the situation and seeing where his price tag is. He had a good season last year (PFF had him as the No. 30 overall safety). He is probably wanting above $6 million annually which he won’t get, but I’d consider bringing him back under $5 million annually with not too much guaranteed and a possibility of moving in two years. If it doesn’t work out, there is a very suitable safety class in this year’s draft, (yes, I am fully against moving Desmond King to safety).
Last year, the linebacker corps looked something like a mixture of Denzel Perryman (when healthy), Kyle Emanuel and Hayes Pullard. I’m hoping Jatavis Brown will return to his year one form. I think he had difficulty adjusting to the scheme this past year.
Linebacker undoubtedly has too be addressed in the draft, preferably in round one or two. And yes, I don’t think this is the year to draft a quarterback. In my opinion, I think Rivers will play for at least three or four more years, if not more. But, that is a conversation for another time. Thus, I think the Bolts make a move for Hankins and possibly Boston, and leave the rest up to drafting.
What do you all think?