How the Chargers can easily free up $36 million in cap space

2. Cutting Matt Feiler and Dustin Hopkins

It seems like there are only two obvious cut candidates for the LA Chargers. Of course, the Bolts could cut some of the lesser players knowing that they are bringing in a draft class full of talent but when it comes to the significant names, Matt Feiler and Dustin Hopkins are the two likely candidates.

Brandon Staley seems too attached to Khalil Mack to make that kind of move, especially after trading a second-round pick for him last offseason. And while the Keenan Allen discourse is the biggest conversation in the fanbase right now, that never seems like it will happen.

Feiler is a no-brainer though as the Chargers may already have his replacement in Jamaree Salyer, who thrived as a fill-in left tackle for the Bolts last season. However, the team could also slide Salyer over to right tackle to potentially replace Trey Pipkins and then draft a guard to start next to Rashawn Slater.

By cutting Feiler before June 1, the Chargers could save $6.5 million against the cap while only carrying $2 million in dead money. With easy replacements and Feiler being just mediocre last season, this is an easy decision to make.

Cutting Dustin Hopkins becomes easier thanks to the emergence of Cameron Dicker. With Hopkins, it is important to cut him after June 1, as the Chargers would free up more cap space. By doing so, the Bolts would free up $2.28 million.

Cutting Feiler and Hopkins would free up $8.78 million and when combined with a Davis extension, would free up $12.1 million in total. That is not even enough to get the Chargers back in the positive, making the last step the most important.