Ekeler: Negotiated Incentives for 2023 Contract Year

[DerwinBosa]

Can anyone else see a scenario where Bijan is there @21...and we pass on him?

Absolutely. I can see the Spanos family and Telesco saying something like, "We don't need a great running back. We have Justin Herbert, so we throw the ball."

[Boltjolt]

My problem with that is these are Tom Telesco's second-round picks:

Manti Te'o (2013), Jeremiah Attaochu (2014), Denzel Perryman (2015), Hunter Henry (2016), Forrest Lamp (2017), Uchenna Nwosu (2018), Nasir Adderley (2019), 2020 second-rounder was traded to move up for Kenneth Murray, Asante Samuel (2021), 2022 second-rounder was traded for Khalil Mack.

Perryman got a second deal, but it was for two years. Henry should have been brought back. The rest didn't make it to a second contract--of course we'll see with Samuel.

That's not an impressive list.

Perryman IS a good player. He has just hurt too often here and why he didn't get a longer 2nd contract or a 3rd.
He had his best season at LV then injured the next season.
Agree about Henry.

[blueman]

Can anyone else see a scenario where Bijan is there @21...and we pass on him?

Sure! That’s Chargers Nightmare Scenario #213. Always room for one more..

[sonorajim]

Staley is a defense minded guy. I say he best improve on that.

Defense needs to be KC level, dead average.We can get that with returning players. We went from #30 to #22 with several key players injured another retiring, one sucking so bad we cut him in season.
Stomp 'em flat with Moore / Herbert dominant offense. Finish off the struggling wannbes with a well rested, attacking defense.

[Budsman]

I saw a few good picks in there so what I’m hearing is….

[ChargersPowderBlue]

Perryman US a good player. He has just hurt too often here and why he didn't get a longer 2nd contract or a 3rd.
He had his best season at LV then injured the next season.
Agree about Henry.

Perryman was the last Charger linebacker that could actually do good against the run. Which this team is sadly lacking.

Henry was overrated IMO. I like Everett and Parham just fine.

[richpjr]

Absolutely. I can see the Spanos family and Telesco saying something like, "We don't need a great running back. We have Justin Herbert, so we throw the ball."

And if he is still there at 21, 20 other teams are thinking the same thing.

[gzubeck]

And if he is still there at 21, 20 other teams are thinking the same thing.

Or...half of them have bigger problems to solve.

[DerwinBosa]

And if he is still there at 21, 20 other teams are thinking the same thing.

Really? So if the Arizona Cardinals draft Will Anderson with the third pick overall that's what they'll be thinking? Same with the Seahawks, with Geno Smith, if they take Jalen Carter fifth overall?

[richpjr]

Or...half of them have bigger problems to solve.

I'm not convinced that RB is our biggest need, especially one to solve with the 21st pick in the draft, so that sentiment can be argued to apply to us. You can make a case for several other positions as bigger problems with us.

[richpjr]

Really? So if the Arizona Cardinals draft Will Anderson with the third pick overall that's what they'll be thinking? Same with the Seahawks, with Geno Smith, if they take Jalen Carter fifth overall?

The irony of the 2 teams you listed are their QBs could benefit from a strong RB like Robinson more than Herbert. But yes, my point is that if 20 other teams pass on him than they are thinking they don't need a great RB. Some have Robinson as the best player and most have him in their 5 top 5 players, but we know the position is devalued in today's league.

[Boltnut]

And if he is still there at 21, 20 other teams are thinking the same thing.

Exactly.

The other thing to consider is... other players @other positions.
News flash TPB: There are other good players in the 1st round!!!
The RB position has been devalued. The premium positions have always been QB, pass-rusher, and OT.
Now that the NFL has slanted more and more toward the pass... you must include WR and CB into that equation, too.

There is a reason Ekeler has not been moved already... it has to do with value.
Maybe a 3rd round deal can be made for Ekeler on draft day. If that's the case... there is your value.