Chargers GM Joe Hortiz - Discussion

[Riverwalk]

In two drafts now, Hortiz and his staff have been absolutely flawless in masking pre-draft intent. These guys are pros.

Not so sure about that.

PON’s were recognized by everybody and while the order was different, they drafted WR, TE, Edge, RB, etc…as expected.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Not so sure about that.

PON’s were recognized by everybody and while the order was different, they drafted WR, TE, Edge, RB, etc…as expected.

I was talking about masking intent about particular players, not positions. OF COURSE the rest of the league could see for themselves where the Bolts needed reinforcements.

[Topcat]

I was talking about masking intent about particular players, not positions. OF COURSE the rest of the league could see for themselves where the Bolts needed reinforcements.

Yep...for example, there was a lot of talk among draftniks of the Bolts drafting Loveland, or trading up for him...or taking Arroyo...then we end up with Gadsen later on...also, remember all the hype about Booker and Zabel? Or even Ratledge, Fairchild and Frazier? Then the Chargers take Taylor in round 6--OG apparently not as big a priority as we and a lot of others thought it was...

[sonorajim]

Yep...for example, there was a lot of talk among draftniks of the Bolts drafting Loveland, or trading up for him...or taking Arroyo...then we end up with Gadsen later on...also, remember all the hype about Booker and Zabel? Or even Ratledge, Fairchild and Frazier? Then the Chargers take Taylor in round 6--OG apparently not as big a priority as we and a lot of others thought it was...

Signing FAs Mekhi Becton, Andre James and resigning Bozeman slowed the roll on OG/C. Likewise TE Tyler Conklin., RB Najee Harris, etc, etc.

Hortiz' FA shopping left him able to navigate the draft anyway he wanted. IMO it was a masterclass in draft prep. And Joe is never done. There will be more~~~~~~

[beachcomber]

I was talking about masking intent about particular players, not positions. OF COURSE the rest of the league could see for themselves where the Bolts needed reinforcements.

think the main thing in the draft is not busting, and.... think Joe has done pretty well there, albeit 'tis early, and....

the last two drafts the overwhelming majority of this board was pounding the table for weapons.... didn't happen the first go 'round, but did for the most part this last stanza, and....

for myself was undaunted by the resistance/weapons crowd, as woulda gone Donovan Jackson day one, and reached hard for Jared Wilson round two, and....

fwiw, woulda reached hard again for Damien Martinez to start off day three, and w/Sai'vion Jones between the all of that, and....

of course peoples are lamenting our IOL.... hard to have your cake and eat it too ??

[sonorajim]

I'm tickled shitless about the 2025 roster, to put it mildly. Perfect- no. Best in a long time, maybe ever? I think so.
It's hard to wait for more reports and pictures. The Canton game can't come soon enough. Never mind game one in Brazil.
That's my biggest complaint.

[21&500]

think the main thing in the draft is not busting, and.... think Joe has done pretty well there, albeit 'tis early, and....

the last two drafts the overwhelming majority of this board was pounding the table for weapons.... didn't happen the first go 'round, but did for the most part this last stanza, and....

for myself was undaunted by the resistance/weapons crowd, as woulda gone Donovan Jackson day one, and reached hard for Jared Wilson round two, and....

fwiw, woulda reached hard again for Damien Martinez to start off day three, and w/Sai'vion Jones between the all of that, and....

of course peoples are lamenting our IOL.... hard to have your cake and eat it too ??

Before the draft I went crazy hard pushing for a revamped iOL with Becton as my highest priority and a few interchangeable names at LG and OC specifically to focus the draft on weapons and defense.
Looks like Joe was more willing to use FA to address an array of positions with the concentration on depth. (2 DTs, 2 CBs, depth at OC, WR, and starters in Najee and maybe Conklin). I'm satisfied with that approach too but was expecting iOL within the first 2--certainly 3 rounds.
now I'm left hoping they know something about Zion, Bozeman, Pipkins and James that I don't--unfortunately that wasn't the case for 2024.
weapons I wanted to secure in FA was the obvious need for TE1 but without many options I'm glad Joe didn't overpay in a sellers market.
I wanted Hollywood brown before he resigned with KC for the role that KLS presumably was drafted for.
Overall I'd say I'm satisfied with the upgrades made and imo Joe agreed with the consensus in that significant improvement in ball control and possession will have the biggest ripple effect on the team as a whole.

[dmac_bolt]

think the main thing in the draft is not busting, and.... think Joe has done pretty well there, albeit 'tis early, and....

the last two drafts the overwhelming majority of this board was pounding the table for weapons.... didn't happen the first go 'round, but did for the most part this last stanza, and....

for myself was undaunted by the resistance/weapons crowd, as woulda gone Donovan Jackson day one, and reached hard for Jared Wilson round two, and....

fwiw, woulda reached hard again for Damien Martinez to start off day three, and w/Sai'vion Jones between the all of that, and....

of course peoples are lamenting our IOL.... hard to have your cake and eat it too ??

Serviceable IOL players can be bought in the village market without ransoming the castle. They are not as expensive as WR, Edge, OT … Joe bought 1, I hoped for 2. gotta trust now.

One year of draft doesn’t define Joe or any GM - this second one will start to define his greatness. I love his draft class except for the last pick. Could be epic imo.

[Topcat]

Serviceable IOL players can be bought in the village market without ransoming the castle. They are not as expensive as WR, Edge, OT … Joe bought 1, I hoped for 2. gotta trust now.

One year of draft doesn’t define Joe or any GM - this second one will start to define his greatness. I love his draft class except for the last pick. Could be epic imo.

U mean that 7th rounder, Bridges the safety?

[sonorajim]

Not so sure about that.

PON’s were recognized by everybody and while the order was different, they drafted WR, TE, Edge, RB, etc…as expected.

Probably because he liked those players, but it was hard to escape the fact that we needed some O talent at the "skill" positions. Edge because it was a great Edge draft.

[dmac_bolt]

U mean that 7th rounder, Bridges the safety?

He's a CB. the pick before him is a S, Mickens.

I read (Popper's OTA report?) that Bridges got a pick in OTAs today, maybe I should wait to see him on a field, like I always implore others to do?

[Topcat]

He's a CB. the pick before him is a S, Mickens.

I read (Popper's OTA report?) that Bridges got a pick in OTAs today, maybe I should wait to see him on a field, like I always implore others to do?

Bridges is listed as a S on this list, but okay, call him a DB and the Bolts figure out where he fits...

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https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/draft.htm