LA Chargers: Ryan Roberts tabbed as the most exciting UDFA
By Jason Reed
Ryan Roberts is believed by some to be the LA Chargers’ most exciting undrafted free agent.
The LA Chargers signed 19 undrafted free agents after the 2020 NFL Draft with the expectation that a small handful are going to make the active roster or practice squad.
After all, the Chargers are already fairly deep at most position groups on the roster. Tom Telesco did a really good job of replacing any offseason losses via free agency or the draft and no noticeable holes have emerged from the offseason, which cannot be said for every team.
The Chargers have a good history with undrafted free agents (Austin Ekeler, Adrian Phillips) and there is the hope that the team could find another diamond in the rough this year.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report broke down the most exciting undrafted free agent for all 32 teams leading into the 2020 season, and for the Chargers, Knox tabbed offensive tackle Ryan Robert as the most exciting.
It is not hard to get excited about Roberts. He is a six-foot-six, 300-pound offensive tackle with good tape and valuable experience with the Florida State Seminoles. The Chargers had offensive line problems last season as well, so this seemingly fills a need.
However, I would not say that Ryan Roberts is the most exciting undrafted free agent on the LA Chargers.
I am not even sure if there is enough space on the roster for Roberts to make the team. Yes, offensive line was a problem last season, but the Chargers have done a great job in improving the line and adding depth as well.
The addition of Bryan Bulaga shores up the right side of the offensive line. And while not a lot of Charger fans are as high on him as I am, Trey Pipkins should be a solid starting left tackle and will prove some people wrong.
In terms of depth, the Chargers have Sam Tevi and Trent Scott already on the roster, who are not great but are serviceable in a depth role. The team also signed standout XFL tackle Storm Norton, who had the highest grade on Pro Football Focus of any XFL lineman.
Factor in Forrest Lamp, who could transition to tackle, the position he played in college, and the Chargers have plenty of depth at tackle. There is a larger chance that Roberts misses the roster than makes it.
If not Ryan Roberts, who is the LA Chargers’ most exciting UDFA?
Bobby Holly.
Holly plays arguably the least exciting position in football, full back. It is a position that has begun to get phased out in the NFL and does not have the importance that it once had in the league.
However, the Chargers are one of the few teams that still implement fullback play. Derek Watt was great in his role with the team, but with him going to Pittsburg, the Chargers have a hole to fill and Holly is the perfect guy.
The team signed two fullbacks, Holly and Florida State’s Gabe Nabers, to battle for the position on the roster. While Nabers is capable of the roster spot as well, Holly is a bruising, physical blocker that flies around the field for a fullback and can block in both the running and passing game.
With the Chargers’ offense transitioning to a more run-heavy outlook with Tyrod Taylor starting under center, someone like Holly could make an immediate impact, even if it is not in the box score.
I mean, just look at the guy.
Quarantine won’t stop the work!!!??? pic.twitter.com/Yf7IhDGwY9
— B_Holly41 (@BobbyHollly) May 13, 2020
With all due respect to Roberts, Nabers and the rest of the LA Chargers’ UDFAs, I just don’t think it gets much more exciting than Bobby Holly.