It's been a week and a half since the start of NFL free agency and it's safe to say the first wave is in the books. Most of the big players are off the market while teams are settling into wave-two signings as they prepare for the NFL Draft. This is where the LA Chargers thrive.
It's been a somewhat disappointing free agency period for the Chargers, who entired free agency with the most cap space in the NFL. General manager Joe Hortiz has mostly made moves around the fringes, which is not what fans wanted to see given the financial situation.
Thus, there are some mediocre grades, as well as some not so favorable ones. From the most expensive deal they've signed all the way down to the least, here is a grade for each signing the Chargers have made thus far.
Grading every Chargers signing from the first wave of free agency:
Teair Tart (3 years, $30 million): A
The Chargers didn't even wait for the start of free agency to reward one of their most productive players. Teair Tart has emerged as a true difference-maker on the defensive line and earned a three-year deal that is more expensive than the deal Poona Ford signed last offseason.
This was the start of what Chargers fans thought was going to be a busy period of free-agent spending, especially after the other moves the team made before the start of free agency. But alas, the first move the Chargers made is tied for the most expensive.
Tyler Biadasz (3 years, $30 million): B
The other $30 million deal the Chargers signed also was before the start of free agency. Los Angeles signed center Tyler Biadasz after he was released by the Washington Commanders, effectively fixing the center position in the process.
Biadasz isn't an elite center but he has been a serviceable, dependable center thus far in his NFL career. As long as he doesn't take a step back in LA, which has happened to many offensive linemen in the past, Biadasz should be a productive member of the Chargers' O-line.
Charlie Kolar (3 years, $24.3 million): C+
In a vacuum, the Charlie Kolar is actually a pretty good signing for the Bolts. He was arguably the best blocking tight end in free agency and was highlighted as a perfect fit for the Chargers before free agency even began.
Where the signing starts to lose its shine is the price, especially in conjunction with the other moves the Chargers didn't make. As good as Kolar is as a blocking tight end, it's a bit of a shame that he is the most expensive signing the Chargers have made since the start of the legal tampering window.
Khalil Mack (1 year, $18 million): A
Re-signing Khalil Mack to a one-year deal was always going to receive an A. Mack's influence on the defense has been massive the last four years and just like they did last season, the Chargers rewarded Mack for his efforts with another one-year deal.
Mack's return was even more important given the departure of Odafe Oweh. Now, in a perfect world, the Chargers use an early draft pick on an edge rusher who can replace Oweh as the third rusher in the short term and Mack as the starter in the long run.
Cole Strange (2 years, $13 million): F
You might be a more optimistic Chargers fan than I am and have sold yourself on Cole Strange improving because of his fit in Mike McDaniel's scheme. I just can't buy it, especially when Strange already had a year in McDaniel's scheme and was bad.
The Chargers released Mekhi Becton and signed one of the few guards in the league who was just as bad as him last season. And it's not just last season. Strange has been bad his entire career in the NFL. There's a reason he is on his third team in five years after being drafted in the first round.
With no other moves at guard, it appears the Chargers are content with Strange as a starter. That is an abject failure.
Trey Pipkins (2 years, $10 million): C-
There's nothing wrong with bringing back offensive line depth. It's actually a smart move to invest some in a backup swing tackle. But again, the problem emerges when Pipkins is the sixth player mentioned in this article. There should be more than five players who have gotten a larger contract than the backup swing tackle.
Plus, it's worth mentioning the Chargers paid more to re-sign the worst of their two backup offensive tackle options. Los Angeles let Jamaree Salyer walk because he "isn't a scheme fit" in an offensive coordinator's offense that may only last one year anyway.
Keaton Mitchell (2 years, $9.25 million): A+
Now this is a signing Chargers fans can get excited about. Keaton Mitchell is the definition of a perfect fit in McDaniel's offense as he should be an exceptional rotational option behind Omarion Hampton alongside Kimani Vidal.
Mitchell was literally the fastest running back in the league last season, topping both Devon Achane and Jaylen Wright in the top five. He will be a weapon for McDaniel that elevates the entire offense.
Dalvin Tomlinson (1 year, $7.5 million): B
A solid defensive tackle who improves the depth of the room, Dalvin Tomlinson is a savvy signing by the Chargers. He should improve the floor, and because he was released, he did not impact the team's comp pick formula.
Del'Shawn Phillips (2 years, $7.5 million): B+
The Chargers re-signed their best special teams player on a cheap two-year deal. It's not the kind of signing you will tell your grandkids about, but it is one that is a fundamental part of roster building in the NFL.
Alec Ingold (2 years, $7.5 million): B+
The Chargers finally have a real fullback after relying on Scott Matlock to play the position the last two years. Ingold knows exactly what it takes to be successful in a McDaniel offense and should be a true difference maker.
Trey Lance (1 year, up to $6.75 million): C
Could the Chargers have done better at backup quarterback? Probably. Cooper Rush is available, doesn't cost a comp pick, and has a winning record as a starter. But Lance has experience in the QB room, so the Chargers opted to bring him back.
Trevor Penning (1 year, $4.5 million): D
Again, the Chargers let Salyer walk for a cheaper deal than Penning signed with the Chargers. Los Angeles traded for Penning last season and re-signing him seems like a bit of a sunk-cost fallacy.
Deane Leonard (1 year, $2 million): C
The Chargers re-signed Deane Leonard to a cheap one-year deal to continue his impact on special teams next season. Again, another signing you won't write home about, but it makes the team better.
Tony Jefferson (1 year, $2 million): B+
There were some worries that Tony Jefferson wouln't re-sign with the Chargers as the team seemingly wasn't giving him enough guaranteed money. But alas, the two sides came to terms and the Bolts are far better off for it.
Denzel Perryman (1 year, money TBD): A
The Chargers needed to re-sign Denzel Perryman due to Junior Colson's slow growth. Perryman has been a tone setter and leader on the defensive side of the ball and is an excellent re-signing by the Bolts.
Josh Harris (contract TBD): A
Long snapper is the most overlooked position in football and Chargers fans saw firsthand how important it is last season. Harris missed several games and the special teams operation suffered as a result. Harris is a great nae to re-sign.