Official 2025 Chargers Discussion | 2025 Roster Build | Training Camp

[Bolt4Knob]

If LAC release Pipkins and Bosa what’s the new amount of FA money they would have for this off-season?

Using my spreadsheet and OTC -if the Chargers release Bosa - they would have $95m of cap space. I take out $25m to account for three things: Draft Class, 53 player roster, Practice Squad and In-Season IR Fund. So that leaves $70m of net cap space.

They have the money for Trey Smith or Tee Higgins.

One other point, the Chargers currently have the second most cap space in 2026 so I am not advocating sign a bunch of players in free agency, backload all the deals. But for one or two players, they can use some 2026 cap space.

this is not time to play for second place. Again, not being stupid and making a "Ricky Williams draft day trade" - but being strategic as the goal is to beat the Chiefs. And it may not happen in 2025 -- I think it can - but that should be the goal.

[northerner]

How far?
22 is looking like a perfect spot to steal a top tier prospect.
I'm okay trading down if BPA and PON don't meet perfectly. Which is more likely if we plug a hole or 2 in FA.

this. all it takes is a few weird moves by other teams and we could land a guy very high on Hortiz's wish list. if all of our main targets get picked, then it might make sense to move back and go quantity over quality.

[Bolt4Knob]

this. all it takes is a few weird moves by other teams and we could land a guy very high on Hortiz's wish list. if all of our main targets get picked, then it might make sense to move back and go quantity over quality.

exactly the way I am thinking of it
if the right player - just one guy - is there - fine - run that pick up there

if not and the deals are good -- slide back

[Boltx]

See what KC did to KC’s roster. Look at the OL. Look closer, look at their OL cap. Look at their 2025 OL cap. We don’t have to sign Trey, but that is exactly what KC has done and they are playing for Ring #3. ok - now go look at the Eagles OL. Hey, what do you know - they also signed a big FA! What the heck?

It is what most of the final 8 teams have done, they ALL have a FA signing amidst their draft picks because hitting on 5 of 5 draft picks is like hitting on an inside straight flush. Sure, you can wait to draw that inside card, but you will probably go broke before it ever falls.

If it was as easy as just use a 6th rd draft pick and voila you have a pro bowl OG … 32 teams would have pro bowl OGs. I love how many here say “he was a (pick your Day3 round) pick” as if thats easy and normal and all late Day3 picks are pro bowl players. Truth is that 2% of Rd6 picks become a starter, so on average, you need to make 50 Rd6 picks to get one starter.

As I said, you can try that Rd 6 plan, but you’ve got a 50-1 probability you go broke before it works. What I see by careful scientific analysis of all of the top NFL teams is that yes, they devote draft capital to their OL. Check, we’ve done that.

Then, when they have several great pieces, they don’t just wait around for the draft to find even more great pieces - they go and sign one or two so they get a functioning entire OL, and not just a couple great pieces.

I think signing one of the other mid-level OGs will be enough, we don’t need a line stocked with all pros to succeed. Just need 3 motherfuckers that don’t jump out of the goddamn way when a twisting DE comes right up the middle at them. Just give us 3 guys that don’t all decide to block 1 defender 3x1 while 2 other defenders run ant herbie untouched. Just some simple shit.

LAC is in that perfect position where we have the high cost OTs and just need the lower cost IOL. Signing Trey would be bad ass. Signing Trey + Dalton would tell the world that LAC will have the most impenetrable fucking titanium spear tip ever to pierce this planet and there’s not a goddamn thing any other team can do about it. We shall rule all of the tribes and all lands across the plains.

Imagine this OL: Slater - NEW ProBowl LG - Dalton - Smith - Alt!

where are the beefers when I need them?

Where did I argue against upgrading the OL?

I would be shocked if Trey Smith is available. I don't think Dalman fits our scheme, also no guarantee he becomes available too. But yes, of course they would be welcome additions.

I think we will replace Pipkins, but I would be prepared to start 2025 with Zion and Bozeman. Hopefully Hortiz finds some gems in the later rounds. I think he will need to primarily work thru the draft this year. It's a very weak FA class in general.

[Chargers8491]

Using my spreadsheet and OTC -if the Chargers release Bosa - they would have $95m of cap space. I take out $25m to account for three things: Draft Class, 53 player roster, Practice Squad and In-Season IR Fund. So that leaves $70m of net cap space.

They have the money for Trey Smith or Tee Higgins.

One other point, the Chargers currently have the second most cap space in 2026 so I am not advocating sign a bunch of players in free agency, backload all the deals. But for one or two players, they can use some 2026 cap space.

this is not time to play for second place. Again, not being stupid and making a "Ricky Williams draft day trade" - but being strategic as the goal is to beat the Chiefs. And it may not happen in 2025 -- I think it can - but that should be the goal.

As of right now the Chargers have $242mil in cap space in 2026.

[Bolt4Knob]

Where did I argue against upgrading the OL?

I would be shocked if Trey Smith is available. I don't think Dalman fits our scheme, also no guarantee he becomes available too. But yes, of course they would be welcome additions.

I think we will replace Pipkins, but I would be prepared to start 2025 with Zion and Bozeman. Hopefully Hortiz finds some gems in the later rounds. I think he will need to primarily work thru the draft this year. It's a very weak FA class in general.

This is the biggest problem this year - the IOL free agent class doesn't look great

So I agree - Hortiz could be left with Bozeman at Center and signing a veteran like Scherff at RG - but that just means you need to now draft for both positions in the draft. I wonder about a guy like Banks or Becton at RG. Nobody is Trey Smith and you don't want to overpay for RG just because you didn't get Smith - but cap numbers can be worked as well. The Chargers have 6.75m right now allocated to RG for Pipkins (I don't count the dead money - thats gone) - -can they get a RG like Banks that might be in the mid-teens but also a big time upgrade.

And truly, Pipkins at 6.75m might actually have a bigger market for a trade than Bosa. Not saying how big - but for RT - a team might take a chance

[Bolt4Knob]

As of right now the Chargers have $242mil in cap space in 2026.

I think that is 2027 - in 2026, OTC shows them at $174m. Granted, that is for only 20 players so you can subtract about $60m for two draft classes, total roster, etc. If Slater is extended, you can take away another $25m. So now down to $80m - that still leaves a bit of wiggle room. But if you don't get Trey Smith, sign a Zeitler or Scherff for one year and keep it for 2026. The goal is to not be players in free agency every year - because you draft and develop and sign your key free agents. That said, this year is the year or next are the years to be calculated. Dont spend it stupidly to spend it. One year deals, fine.

link: Los Angeles Chargers Salary Cap | Over the Cap

[Jack Burton]

Using my spreadsheet and OTC -if the Chargers release Bosa - they would have $95m of cap space. I take out $25m to account for three things: Draft Class, 53 player roster, Practice Squad and In-Season IR Fund. So that leaves $70m of net cap space.

They have the money for Trey Smith or Tee Higgins.

One other point, the Chargers currently have the second most cap space in 2026 so I am not advocating sign a bunch of players in free agency, backload all the deals. But for one or two players, they can use some 2026 cap space.

this is not time to play for second place. Again, not being stupid and making a "Ricky Williams draft day trade" - but being strategic as the goal is to beat the Chiefs. And it may not happen in 2025 -- I think it can - but that should be the goal.

The division is stacked and LAC have around 100 MIL with even more the following off-season.
Yeah…..I expect a number of big splashes.
Dalman and Higgins along with a couple vet G’s and the offense is close to set just in FA. Draft a RB and TE and it’s a powerhouse in one off-season.
I can’t see them not making numerous signings the way this division is going. It’s a F’ing arms race and it’s only getting crazier.

[Boltjolt]

Jeremiah just mocked Tyler Warren at 7 to the Jets which is interesting because DJ always does his mocks with his ears. His top 50 is how he ranks players personally, but his mocks are based on what he is hearing from his many contacts around the NFL

Doesnt matter. He mocked Kincaid going 13th to the Packers in his 2023 final mock and he went 25th in the actual draft. Green Bay took a Edge at 13 (Lucas Van Ness)
I also always look at his mocks too but i dont take them literally. Nobody is going to give away their real plans to any of these guys in the media.

[Boltjolt]

See what KC did to KC’s roster. Look at the OL. Look closer, look at their OL cap. Look at their 2025 OL cap. We don’t have to sign Trey, but that is exactly what KC has done and they are playing for Ring #3. ok - now go look at the Eagles OL. Hey, what do you know - they also signed a big FA! What the heck?

It is what most of the final 8 teams have done, they ALL have a FA signing amidst their draft picks because hitting on 5 of 5 draft picks is like hitting on an inside straight flush. Sure, you can wait to draw that inside card, but you will probably go broke before it ever falls.

If it was as easy as just use a 6th rd draft pick and voila you have a pro bowl OG … 32 teams would have pro bowl OGs. I love how many here say “he was a (pick your Day3 round) pick” as if thats easy and normal and all late Day3 picks are pro bowl players. Truth is that 2% of Rd6 picks become a starter, so on average, you need to make 50 Rd6 picks to get one starter.

As I said, you can try that Rd 6 plan, but you’ve got a 50-1 probability you go broke before it works. What I see by careful scientific analysis of all of the top NFL teams is that yes, they devote draft capital to their OL. Check, we’ve done that.

Then, when they have several great pieces, they don’t just wait around for the draft to find even more great pieces - they go and sign one or two so they get a functioning entire OL, and not just a couple great pieces.

I think signing one of the other mid-level OGs will be enough, we don’t need a line stocked with all pros to succeed. Just need 3 motherfuckers that don’t jump out of the goddamn way when a twisting DE comes right up the middle at them. Just give us 3 guys that don’t all decide to block 1 defender 3x1 while 2 other defenders run ant herbie untouched. Just some simple shit.

LAC is in that perfect position where we have the high cost OTs and just need the lower cost IOL. Signing Trey would be bad ass. Signing Trey + Dalton would tell the world that LAC will have the most impenetrable fucking titanium spear tip ever to pierce this planet and there’s not a goddamn thing any other team can do about it. We shall rule all of the tribes and all lands across the plains.

Imagine this OL: Slater - NEW ProBowl LG - Dalton - Smith - Alt!

where are the beefers when I need them?

Dalton Risner? He can pass block (76) which is good for Herbo but his run blocking grade is only 57 per PFF. Not sure but i dont think he is a Pro Bowler

[Icebolt]

Who has heard of TE Briningtool. Some have him rated higher the M. Taylor?
Also, TE's tend to not go high in drafts. BB was a generational prospect last year and he only went #10
So to me Warren and Loveland are not going that high. But, will probably go top 22. I looked at the draft chart and it would only take #4 to move up to #20 in the first round.

[wu-dai clan]

Jeremiah just mocked Tyler Warren at 7 to the Jets which is interesting because DJ always does his mocks with his ears. His top 50 is how he ranks players personally, but his mocks are based on what he is hearing from his many contacts around the NFL

I see.
So you are going to ignore Daniel having the Bears take Booker.