2023 Official Roster Build Thread - The Initial 53 / Practice Squad

[Fouts2herbert]

Chargers are going to be 50m over the cap going into next offseason - that includes counting Herbert at 25m if not extended and adding this draft class and next years

Is this based on guys getting cut or just a huge cap increase?

[Bolt4Knob]

Is this based on guys getting cut or just a huge cap increase?

This is based on the current math in OTC - so maybe the cap goes up but right now, OTC shows the Chargers at 3.3m over the cap for 30 players -- so add

2023 draft class, 7 players - currently estimated at 8m but with raises next year - lets go 9m - so thats minus 12. Even if you sign some UDFAs, same cost as 6th and 7th rounders basically

2024 draft class: 7 players - lets just put in 8m - so thats minus 20

Still only at 44 players: 8 players at the league minimum is 5.8 - so thats minus 26

One player named Justin Herbert unless he is extended is 23m (same # as Tua) - so thats minus 49

I think one issue some fans have is when they see a cap number for future years, they don't take into account that number might not reflect the 53 man roster. And that is easily 25m bucks. So the Chargers were truly never really 47m under the cap in 2024 - and that didn't even include Herbert

[blueman]

I'm getting the feeling that Ekeler isn't getting traded as the market isn't there for him.

Yep, if it was gonna happen it would’ve.

[cmplxgal]

Another thing to take into account is the dustin hopkins contract situation, his contract must’ve had some kind of poison pill that prevented the chargers from cutting him without making a large chunk (like more than half) guaranteed…so he will be a post june cut for sure which would save 1.15 mil but would instantly guarantee him 1.4 mil, so perhaps the chargers are banking on someone picking up his guaranteed portion ( a reasonable salary for kicker) post june which would then free up the rest of that dead cap, leaving the chargers with a net gain of 2.285mil in cap space if and when someone signs hopkins after the chargers cut him post june 1st…doubtful he would go unsigned IMO, in that case the chargers would still owe hopkins 1.4 mil of guaranteed salary in 2023 season even if he’s no longer on the team…

so whatever effective cap space the chargers have right now, I think it’s a pretty safe bet to add 2.285 million to that total when hopkins gets signed by another team…the same thing would happen with a post june 1st trade but nobody is going to trade for hopkins, why would they?

I tend to think that, since they didn't release him, they'll take him to training camp and then, if Dicker wins the competition, they'll still get some cap savings by releasing him then.

[Boltinloudguy]

This is most likely the last year we see Allen and Mack k on n the team. By releasing them, that saves $46+ mil in cap space. By June next year if they decide to release JC Jackson, that’s another $14 mil. There is a lot of dead cap involved but they won’t have any other choice.

Every draft is important no doubt, but this years and next years draft is very important. Especially finding WRs, TEs, LBers, DBs and Edge Rushers for the future.

[Bolt4Knob]

This is most likely the last year we see Allen and Mack k on n the team. By releasing them, that saves $46+ mil in cap space. By June next year if they decide to release JC Jackson, that’s another $14 mil. There is a lot of dead cap involved but they won’t have any other choice.

Every draft is important no doubt, but this years and next years draft is very important. Especially finding WRs, TEs, LBers, DBs and Edge Rushers for the future.

You are absolutely correct about those positions: WR x 2 RB TE, Edge and OL depth

[Fouts2herbert]

I tend to think that, since they didn't release him, they'll take him to training camp and then, if Dicker wins the competition, they'll still get some cap savings by releasing him then.

This^ definitely the most likley scenario and it keeps the young kid on his toes too…

[Topcat]

I'm getting the feeling that Ekeler isn't getting traded as the market isn't there for him.

There must be a lot of teams over the cap, or are shy to give a RB in his late 20's a big payday...it's called dipping yer toe into the FA waters...water must be a bit cold...maybe Ekkie goes back to the Bolts and takes their offer...

[Fouts2herbert]

This is most likely the last year we see Allen and Mack k on n the team. By releasing them, that saves $46+ mil in cap space. By June next year if they decide to release JC Jackson, that’s another $14 mil. There is a lot of dead cap involved but they won’t have any other choice.

Every draft is important no doubt, but this years and next years draft is very important. Especially finding WRs, TEs, LBers, DBs and Edge Rushers for the future.

I’m not saying they would do this, but my hope would be that both mack and allen take pay cuts next year instead of forcing the team to cut them and creating massive holes and 28 plus million in dead cap…we're seeing guys do this all around the league in green bay, philly, dallas, and buffalo…the common thread in those place is that they have stable coaching and QB situations…if these guys are happy with the way they’ve been treated and they like playing with justin herbert then it could happen…

[Bolt4Knob]

There must be a lot of teams over the cap, or are shy to give a RB in his late 20's a big payday...it's called dipping yer toe into the FA waters...water must be a bit cold...maybe Ekkie goes back to the Bolts and takes their offer...

If I am the Bolts - that offer has expired once he asked for a trade.

[dmac_bolt]

Well, Will Clapp and Brendan Jaimes would like a word

And I am still only paying Callahan the Vet Minimum and a small signing bonus

Good point there! We wouldn’t need depth if not for those two. Particularly Clapp imo only because he’s more likely to be needed. He was horrific last year.

But who is the FA target for IOL you’re looking at and how much?

[Fouts2herbert]

If I am the Bolts - that offer has expired once he asked for a trade.

Only if there was bad blood, otherwise Dean should welcome him home with welled up tears in his eyes, open arms, and a big fat wet kiss…