Ekeler: Negotiated Incentives for 2023 Contract Year

[Bolt4Knob]

Wow, with Gibbs and Roschon, what a 1-2 punch! Not bad, Blue! Sets us up nicely for when Ekkie leaves, then we get a nice 3rd round comp pick for him...meanwhile, Kelley is #3 man in the RB committee and Spiller to the PS with occasional call-ups for when Kelley gets injured...

Not getting a 3rd round comp pick for Ekeler - maybe a 5th at best and more likely a 6th but even that is not a foregone conclusion as it would mean the Chargers do not sign any free agents .

If the Chargers want a draft pick for Ekeler - trade him now and for sure get a draft pick that would have much higher value than a 1/10 chance of getting at 2025 5th or 6th round pick.

[blueman]

If Telesco did that - especially a FRP on Gibbs at 21 - but doubled down with another RB in the 3rd - he should be walked out of the building and fired for cause on the spot.

Two RBs in the first three rounds would be wasted draft capital

30th ranked rushing attack, playoff game with practically zero running yards in the second half up when 4 scores…not sure where else I’d put my draft capital. Plus playmakers are never not welcome, on any team. Both RBs can get huge positive yards, versus what we have.

[Bolt4Knob]

30th ranked rushing attack, playoff game with practically zero running yards in the second half up when 4 scores…not sure where else I’d put my draft capital. Plus playmakers are never not welcome, on any team. Both RBs can get huge positive yards, versus what we have.

I am not saying RB is not a need. But so is better WR play, a TE, Edge depth, CB depth. Its why I have been on the "trade down" bandwagon since free agency. Better OL play will help the running game. But yes, the Chargers need a better pure runner of the football - thats for sure. I just don't think they can spend two high draft picks with so many other needs.

[Budsman]

30th ranked rushing attack, playoff game with practically zero running yards in the second half up when 4 scores…not sure where else I’d put my draft capital. Plus playmakers are never not welcome, on any team. Both RBs can get huge positive yards, versus what we have.

Just draft Bijan and be done with it. It’s like a 2-1!

The chargers don’t need to have an expensive back. Teams that go all the way have historically done it with cheaper backs. Bijan on a rookie contract or Kelly spiller and a day 2 back could get us there.

I firmly believe that Moore is going to help fix the run game. He’s just more flexible in his thinking than Lombardi is. Moore will get the most out of our backs imho.

[blueman]

I am not saying RB is not a need. But so is better WR play, a TE, Edge depth, CB depth. Its why I have been on the "trade down" bandwagon since free agency. Better OL play will help the running game. But yes, the Chargers need a better pure runner of the football - thats for sure. I just don't think they can spend two high draft picks with so many other needs.

We have seven picks, you (correctly IMO) identified four other areas of need..

Its a deep draft at positions we are in need of, two RBs (and two DBs, Adderly retiring creates a big hole re playing time, although I can see a post draft DB FA signing and that seventh pick going to IDL as more likely) wherever they are picked would not surprise me. But our lowest ranked squad was RB, not even close.

[QSmokey]

We have seven picks, you (correctly IMO) identified four other areas of need..

Its a deep draft at positions we are in need of, two RBs (and two DBs, Adderly retiring creates a big hole re playing time, although I can see a post draft DB FA signing and that seventh pick going to IDL as more likely) wherever they are picked would not surprise me. But our lowest ranked squad was RB, not even close.

I have to agree with Bolt4Knob here, blue. Two RBs in the three rounds...that's a bit of overkill. If they were to go for two RBs - and I honestly don't think they will - then make the 2nd choice a late round pick. Can't invest a 1st and 3rd on one position, IMO. And once you get past Round 3, the chance of landing a starter/impact player goes way down (again, in my view). So while drafting 2 RBs in the first three rounds *may* solidify one position of need, it recklessly avoids the other 4-5 areas that need to be addressed.

[gzubeck]

If Telesco did that - especially a FRP on Gibbs at 21 - but doubled down with another RB in the 3rd - he should be walked out of the building and fired for cause on the spot.

Two RBs in the first three rounds would be wasted draft capital

Completely disagree. If the Talent is there you take it. People complain about depth where here's your depth. You buy when certain products are available and plenty. Not when they're scarce and moldy.

[Boltjolt]

I am not saying RB is not a need. But so is better WR play, a TE, Edge depth, CB depth. Its why I have been on the "trade down" bandwagon since free agency. Better OL play will help the running game. But yes, the Chargers need a better pure runner of the football - thats for sure. I just don't think they can spend two high draft picks with so many other needs.

IF they trade Ekeler on draft day there is a chance they draft 2 RBs anyways.
There is no way we are drafting 2 RBs with him still here, even if it only for one more season. They may just draft another in 2024 because I'm assuming Kelly will also be gone.

[gzubeck]

I have to agree with Bolt4Knob here, blue. Two RBs in the three rounds...that's a bit of overkill. If they were to go for two RBs - and I honestly don't think they will - then make the 2nd choice a late round pick. Can't invest a 1st and 3rd on one position, IMO. And once you get past Round 3, the chance of landing a starter/impact player goes way down (again, in my view). So while drafting 2 RBs in the first three rounds *may* solidify one position of need, it recklessly avoids the other 4-5 areas that need to be addressed.

Shopping for need or shopping for talent available. Some people wanted to burn multiple high picks for one player ...Bijan. Problem is we are extremely thin at RB and this is a deep draft. Most likely we don't go this route but I would not complain at all if we did. Gibbs is a multi-use offensive weapon and Roshon is a sledgehammer that feels like a feather.

[Bolt4Knob]

We have seven picks, you (correctly IMO) identified four other areas of need..

Its a deep draft at positions we are in need of, two RBs (and two DBs, Adderly retiring creates a big hole re playing time, although I can see a post draft DB FA signing and that seventh pick going to IDL as more likely) wherever they are picked would not surprise me. But our lowest ranked squad was RB, not even close.

7 picks
two of which are glorified UDFAs

So really - the Chargers need to find their players in Rounds 1-5 - so using two of those five picks on RB seems too much. Now if one of the RBs in Round 6 or 7 - thats different

I still have WR as the number 1 need on the roster.

[blueman]

Just draft Bijan and be done with it. It’s like a 2-1!

The chargers don’t need to have an expensive back. Teams that go all the way have historically done it with cheaper backs. Bijan on a rookie contract or Kelly spiller and a day 2 back could get us there.

I firmly believe that Moore is going to help fix the run game. He’s just more flexible in his thinking than Lombardi is. Moore will get the most out of our backs imho.

Yeah, if TT/Staley really want Bijan, a trade up is more likely, sure. I just hope it’s for a future pick.

[gzubeck]

7 picks
two of which are glorified UDFAs

So really - the Chargers need to find their players in Rounds 1-5 - so using two of those five picks on RB seems too much. Now if one of the RBs in Round 6 or 7 - thats different

I still have WR as the number 1 need on the roster.

So...what if Charger move up for Bijan and they use their 1st, 2nd, and ekeler? Same difference and actually worse in some ways.