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LA Chargers: Buy or sell potential offensive line free agents

By Alexander Insdorf

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 16: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers stands under center in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 16: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers stands under center in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /

C David Andrews

Is David Andrews a good backup plan for the LA Chargers?

David Andrews is no Linsley, but he’s no Feeney either. Andrews came back to the Patriots’ offensive line in 2020 after missing the previous season with a pulmonary embolism. It was a good season for Andrews in his return, though he did miss four games after surgery on his snapping hand early in September.

The price point Andrews is available at is lower in average annual value than Bulaga. It could be a way to save a few million to spend elsewhere in free agency. The lower cost may also be a reason that Andrews could be a backup plan in the event the Chargers don’t hit on Bulaga.

Andrews ranked 14th amongst centers in the league in 2020.  He allowed two sacks and 12 pressures on 724 snaps. Relative to the Chargers, that’s a fantastic statline for a center. For Andrews, it was just another season. PFF ranked his pass blocking a little lower than it had been in previous seasons.

The potential risk of another pulmonary embolism may scare the Chargers away from this signing. After Russell Okung’s similar 2019 condition, Telesco was very quick to move off of his contract in the offseason. Another blood clot might very well mean the end of Andrews’ career, not just his 2021 season.

While Andrews was still good in 2020, it’s hard to see him getting back to the 2017/2018 level he was before DVT. I wouldn’t necessarily mind him as a fallback option should the Chargers miss out on Linsley, but the season to season decline combined with the increased risk of a serious health condition makes me wary.

David Andrews in FA: Sell

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