Your First 3 rounds 2021

[Boltjolt]

We see things pretty close. Different targets but same ideal framework.
I think your FA contract $ are on the low side but I hope you’re right.

Henry is gonna cost 9-11 mil per. If Belichick really wants him it will be closer to 11 mil, maybe 11.5. Depends how much he wants to stay here as he has said he does. I think we need to keep him. He isnt Travis Kelce but he also isnt our top target as Kelce is for them and he makes 15 mil.

[Boltjolt]

Over past 2 seasons Turner has 22 starts. Scherff has 24 starts.

Scherff just turned 29 in Dec. Turner will turn 28 in June. 18 month difference in age.

I want Scherff because he is much better player at both run and pass blocking. He rated in top 10 in both this season.

Scherff played 100% of snaps is 10 of his 13 starts.

Turner played in 100% of snaps in 4 of 9 starts.

Neither has started all 16 in 5 years.

Turner finished this season with 8 straight starts.
Scherff 10 straight starts

If I'm paying a RG. Then I'd much rather pay Scherff.

Just saying everyone is only down on Turner because he missed a lot of games. This is the first season he has missed more than 3 games. I just dont se the big turn over and we sign 5 higher priced free agents. That isnt a norm here. Id like to see a revamp of the OL but im thinking they thought they did that last season, lol. Bulaga was a bad signing as he was always hurt in GB.

I dont think they will let Henry get away and think they extend MW. Id be surprised if they dont.

[Lone Bolt]

Cautiously optimistic we can salvage Turner...it would be a break if we could...already have enough spots to address on this line.

[Bolt Dude]

Using The Draft Network's mock draft simulator, here are my results:

1st. Christian Darrisaw, OT
This pick is obvious, and the most responsible in terms of protecting Herbert, the most valuable asset on the team. Darrisaw was the highest rated OT in 2020 according to PFF (although no doubt Sewell would have taken that honor had he played). I like Rashawn Slater, too -- he has the quickest feet out of any o-lineman in the draft -- but Darrisaw has NFL size and length, and pretty good feet, as well. He can come in on day 1 and be an immediate upgrade.

2nd. Jay Tufele, DT
I know what you're thinking: we need a high-flying edge defender to unlock Bosa's potential and free him from double teams. I get that, but there are 3 reasons Tufele makes more sense here:
#1. He's too good a value at #45 to pass up. I was shocked the Draft Network's simulator dropped him that far.
#2. We've seen what Jerry Tillery can do at DE, and it's not too shabby. Probably a better position for him in the NFL than DT. What Tillery doesn't do consistently from the DT position is pressure the QB and stuff the run. Tufele can. Besides, in 2021, I see Nwosu backing up Bosa on one side, and Rochelle backing up Tillery on the other. That's pretty good depth. I'm sure we can get a high-potential edge rusher in the 4-6th round, such as Elerson Smith II.
#3. Justin Jones, while okay in run support, has absolutely no effect on passing downs.
Essentially, Tufele will unlock Bosa as well as (if not better than) any DE in the draft.

3A. Elijah Molden, Nickel
Bar none the best nickel corner in the draft. Gives me Eric Weddle vibes. Smart, twitched-up, instinctive, good in space, great in run support, versatile. Draft this kid and we got a bright future after Chris Harris; or we can just cut #25 and save cap.

3B. Greg Newsome II, CB
Yes, another corner. Newsome's not going to help much with run support, but he can stick to speedy receivers in the open field like glue. Exceptionally polished for a 3rd rounder. Will be the future after Heyward, should the team choose to retain the rapidly declining corner.


I think we can find a serviceable center or guard in round 4 (Drake Jackson?).

There's excellent EDGE depth in this draft and the 5th round could hold gems like Myjai Sanders, Malcom Koonce, Shaka Toney, or the aforementioned Elerson Smith II.

We definitely need a suitable back-up/successor at NT behind Linval Joseph (sorry, but Damien Square ain't gonna cut it). I like Khyiris Tonga in the 6th.

[Boltnut]

Just saying everyone is only down on Turner because he missed a lot of games. This is the first season he has missed more than 3 games. I just dont se the big turn over and we sign 5 higher priced free agents. That isnt a norm here. Id like to see a revamp of the OL but im thinking they thought they did that last season, lol. Bulaga was a bad signing as he was always hurt in GB.

I dont think they will let Henry get away and think they extend MW. Id be surprised if they dont.

Actually, I'm down on Turner because of the cost. I haven't suggested signing any higher priced FA's. His contract was specifically restructured so that he could be cut this off-season. Zero dead money is very suspicious. He's not worth $11.5 million. That money is best spent elsewhere. I've suggested that we bring in another guard to replace him at half the price (Ethan Pocic).

If Bulaga could be cut without a huge dead money hit ($14.5 mil)... I'd cut him, too. The contracts are structured with longevity in mind. Turner's the odd man out.

Chargers have 35 players signed for 2021 (if you exclude the 10 futures contracts they signed yesterday) with about $33 million in cap space. That's 18 spots to fill. 9 will be filled via the draft (Cost = $9 million...?). 9 spots for $20 million...? Someone is getting cut... it's just math.

Cutting Turner ($11.5 mil) just makes sense.
If you could sign-and-trade MW, that would net you another #15.5 million.

Take the $27 million and make your roster better... $47 million to spend on 10 roster spots is easily done.

[Boltjolt]

Actually, I'm down on Turner because of the cost. I haven't suggested signing any higher priced FA's. His contract was specifically restructured so that he could be cut this off-season. Zero dead money is very suspicious. He's not worth $11.5 million. That money is best spent elsewhere. I've suggested that we bring in another guard to replace him at half the price (Ethan Pocic).

If Bulaga could be cut without a huge dead money hit ($14.5 mil)... I'd cut him, too. The contracts are structured with longevity in mind. Turner's the odd man out.

Chargers have 35 players signed for 2021 (if you exclude the 10 futures contracts they signed yesterday) with about $33 million in cap space. That's 18 spots to fill. 9 will be filled via the draft (Cost = $9 million...?). 9 spots for $20 million...? Someone is getting cut... it's just math.

Cutting Turner ($11.5 mil) just makes sense.
If you could sign-and-trade MW, that would net you another #15.5 million.

Take the $27 million and make your roster better... $47 million to spend on 10 roster spots is easily done.

Why not just extend Turner then? Makes the 11.5 a lot smaller.

MW will have to agree to a contract with another team before he is traded so one of us or him would be looking for suiters to agree to that. That way we have no dead money.

If we sign him then trade, he might have some dead money but I'm not sure how it worx as I'm no capologist and think his 15.6 becomes guaranteed if he is on the roster come March.... something. I don't know if that even matters if being traded with another contract.
I think we have to tell him he has permission to seek a trade but I'm not sure they want to trade him.

We are losing Mel and perhaps Perryman, not sure what they do with Hayward and not sure they bring
back any of our FA OL as TT said he knows we need to get better there.

Lots of decisions to be made.

[Boltnut]

Why not just extend Turner then? Makes the 11.5 a lot smaller.

MW will have to agree to a contract with another team before he is traded so one of us or him would be looking for suiters to agree to that. That way we have no dead money.

If we sign him then trade, he might have some dead money but I'm not sure how it worx as I'm no capologist and think his 15.6 becomes guaranteed if he is on the roster come March.... something. I don't know if that even matters if being traded with another contract.
I think we have to tell him he has permission to seek a trade but I'm not sure they want to trade him.

We are losing Mel and perhaps Perryman, not sure what they do with Hayward and not sure they bring
back any of our FA OL as TT said he knows we need to get better there.

Lots of decisions to be made.

If Turner were to agree to an extension, and sign for considerably less, then I'm open to extending him.
I'd rather use the money to sign a better player (Linsley) that plays a more important position (OC).

Yes, MW would have to find a team that needs him (Colts, Jets) for agreed upon salary ($10 million?) before March 17th. I don't believe that any dead money would be incurred... as the signing bonuses (ect.) would be included in the new contract to a new team. I can't imagine the Chargers believe that 45 receptions a year is worth $15.6 million.

If they could extend MW for $9 million and Turner for $6 million ($12 million savings)... I could live with that. But say good-bye to signing Linsley... maybe even Henry or Davis.

[wu-dai clan]

We know how TT rolls. We want to draft well, and retain the "keepers." We want to let people finish out their contracts, once signed as free agents.

I do not understand how it is supposed to be a crisis at this early juncture,
that we don't have more players under control. The 2021 COVID induced cap is going to give us flexibility.

I can easily picture TT finding a way to sign HH, MW, MDavis, Jenkins..., and roll with Tevi--Lamp--Feeney at the reduced market value for below top tier OL.

We get to pin our hopes on Deano finding this "innovation" he speaks of.

[wu-dai clan]

LB, I respect your scout's eye and your observations regarding Darrisaw's lack of consistent motor.

Consistency is vital at OL.

However, a lot of signs, including a near consensus from the punditry, point to Darrisaw @ #13.

[Bolt Dude]

LB, I respect your scout's eye and your observations regarding Darrisaw's lack of consistent motor.

Consistency is vital at OL.

However, a lot of signs, including a near consensus from the punditry, point to Darrisaw @ #13.

Darrisaw has some definite lapses, and the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards Alijiah Vera-Tucker in the first round.

Although our entire o-line's a mess, the interior seems more problematic than the edges. And it shows in the running game (especially in short yardage). AVT can fix that even though his bread and butter is pass protection. And even though Thibodeaux exposed AVT in the PAC-12 championship, AVT might eventually play OT in the NFL. His switch to tackle this year looked pretty seamless.

Besides, this draft looks deeper at OT than OG. I'd be happy with AVT (or maybe even Wyatt Davis) in the first and Eichenberg (or maybe Teven Jenkins) in the 2nd-3rd. Eichenberg's not an elite athlete, but his technical skills seem to make up for it. Jenkins is an athlete. He pretty much owned Ossai in the Texas game. It was impressive.

[La Costa Boy]

Here was my latest mock for fun. 3 OL and 3 DL for the trenches and some other stuff thrown in for shits and giggles.

• 13.
  
  
  Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Kyle Pitts
  TE, Florida
• 45.
  
  
  Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Creed Humphrey
  IOL, Oklahoma
• 77.
  
  
  Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Jackson Carman
  OT, Clemson
• 97.
  
  
  Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Jordan Smith
  EDGE, UAB
• 114.
  
  
  Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Josh Ball
  OT, Marshall
• 153.
  
  
  Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Elerson Smith
  EDGE, Northern Iowa
• 191.
  
  
  Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Amari Rodgers
  WR, Clemson
• 201.
  
  
  Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Master Teague
  RB, Ohio State
• 234.
  
  
  Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Carlo Kemp
  IDL, Michigan

[Bolt Dude]

Here was my latest mock for fun. 3 OL and 3 DL for the trenches and some other stuff thrown in for shits and giggles.

• 13.
  
  Kyle Pitts
  TE, Florida
• 45.
  
  Creed Humphrey
  IOL, Oklahoma
• 77.
  
  Jackson Carman
  OT, Clemson
• 97.
  
  Jordan Smith
  EDGE, UAB
• 114.
  
  Josh Ball
  OT, Marshall
• 153.
  
  Elerson Smith
  EDGE, Northern Iowa
• 191.

Wouldn't be upset to draft Pitts in the 1st -- he'd probably be BPA -- but our O-line's been neglected for too damn long. If Justin Herbert isn't reason enough to draft an o-lineman in the first, then I dunno what is. Love the Creed pick. Avoid Jackson Carman. He's too slow to be a reliable OT in the NFL. Got beaten like a rented mule way too often. He's a serviceable guard at best. Really like the Josh Ball and Elerson Smith II picks.