LB Troy Reeder: 1 year, $1.1 million ($25k guaranteed)
Ryan Ficken fixed special teams this year and while Troy Reeder did not see the field much on defense, he made a huge difference in that aspect:
Troy Reeder has been such a difference-maker on special teams. Watch this rush on punt block from the Colts game. Pancakes No. 45 — and the punter. pic.twitter.com/iUsfpsrUXM
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) January 3, 2023
Plus with Drue Tranquill's free agency, he could be in line for a slight role promotion this year if the ball bounces a certain way. The Chargers' retaining Reeder is a low-key important part of their free agency just with the amount of cheap flexibility he provides the linebacker depth chart with.
Troy Reeder signing grade: A-
WR DeAndre Carter: 1 year, $1.1 million ($100k guaranteed)
Continuing with these last few special teams signings, DeAndre Carter was a pivotal addition signed around the same time as Reeder. Expected to be WR5 and mostly just a returner for the 2022 season, Carter took advantage of the playing time he got from the teams' receiver injuries and turned in a 500+ yard season with nearly 50 receptions.
MUST-READ: Ranking the Chargers among all 32 teams post-Super Bowl
In an optimal world, Carter shouldn't have had the offensive workload he did have, but he overperformed relative to the expectations. Yes, there are some drops to point to and some miscues in critical moments. But Tom Telesco ultimately paid near league minimum for a top-10 punt returner with 538 receiving yards.
DeAndre Carter signing grade: A
P J.K, Scott: 1 year, $970k ($0 guaranteed)
J.K. Scott was a key cog in Ficken's special teams revolution. The hang time king led the league amongst eligible punters in fewest opponent punt return yards given up with just 58. After the Chargers let quite a few opposing punt and kick returns get the better of them in the Derius Swinton era, it was a very welcome change.
J.K. Scott signing grade: A
LS Josh Harris: 4 years, $5.6 million ($1.9 million guaranteed)
Another solid addition to the special teams. Perhaps it's a record-setting contract for a long snapper, but well worth it for the Chargers to hopefully achieve some consistency going forward with a Harris-Cameron Dicker-Scott ST nucleus.
Josh Harris signing grade: A