Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | 2nd Wave Of Free Agency

[Formula 21]

For me, FA is good for letting go of your poorly performing 3-4 year guys and signing someone else’s better performing guys.

[Topcat]

Not sure if he makes it to our #55 or not. But if we need to trade up a bit for him and Hortiz can do it without giving up a.pick like he did with Ladd, that may be a way to go.

Then again idk who they are targeting.

Seems many players stock is skyrocketing but I can't believe everything I read. I'm not buying Zabels stock. Id be very surprised if he goes 1st round. I'm thinking mid 2nd to mid 3rd.

To clarify, Trader Joe did NOT give up any picks to trade up for Ladd...he did a two-pick swap...before and after the trade up, we still had two picks...just that the 2nd rounder was of greater value, and the 4th rounder turned into a 5th rounder...and that 5th rounder, #137 turned into Tarheeb Still...not bad...

image.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_NFL_draft#cite_note-42

[Jack Burton]

To clarify, Trader Joe did NOT give up any picks to trade up for Ladd...he did a two-pick swap...before and after the trade up, we still had two picks...just that the 2nd rounder was of greater value, and the 4th rounder turned into a 5th rounder...and that 5th rounder, #137 turned into Tarheeb Still...not bad...

image.png
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_N...t#cite_note-42

And all you’ll hear on the Patriots sites is, “We got fleeced..” or “We got so hosed on that deal..”
And I just see Hortiz with that big smile..
I don’t see us trading with NE this year..

[Topcat]

Sense schmense!

but but but ... the only way to build a real team is thru the draft!
uh- but nobody else does that?

uh-huh, the RAVENS DO
uh, not really no

and COMP PICKS -we cannot risk losing a late day 3 comp pick - those are what defines a dynasty team
Late Day3 comp picks more often than not don't make the team to year 2.
uh-huh, do too! they are primo!

Why some folks don' want to spend our money to get good players now ... smh.

-----------

Its like going camping with a macho outdoorsman dude ...

I'm gonna start the fire with a stick, just like the native americans do
uh, but we have a lighter
nuh-uh, gotta use a stick, its more authentic ...
...
... rub rub ... rub rub ... 2 hrs later ...
...
Can we use the lighter now?

Use the cap money. enjoy it even!

It's all a balancing act...finding just the right mix of FA's, draft picks, UDFA's and an occasional trade...ALL without spending ourselves again into cap hell...and ahem, THERE'S THE RUB!!!

[Chargers8491]

Sense schmense!

but but but ... the only way to build a real team is thru the draft!
uh- but nobody else does that?

uh-huh, the RAVENS DO
uh, not really no

and COMP PICKS -we cannot risk losing a late day 3 comp pick - those are what defines a dynasty team
Late Day3 comp picks more often than not don't make the team to year 2.
uh-huh, do too! they are primo!

Why some folks don' want to spend our money to get good players now ... smh.

-----------

Its like going camping with a macho outdoorsman dude ...

I'm gonna start the fire with a stick, just like the native americans do
uh, but we have a lighter
nuh-uh, gotta use a stick, its more authentic ...
...
... rub rub ... rub rub ... 2 hrs later ...
...
Can we use the lighter now?

Use the cap money. enjoy it even!

LMAO...On point..lol

[dmac_bolt]

Now, I think the key to building a team is drafting well and the udfa market. Normal year 7 draft picks and 15 UDFAs. If you can consistently get play from 5-8 players yearly, that helps the cap. Maybe some to the PS that in a year 2 or 3 - make the big squad

but, Free agency is also another area to improve your roster. And yes, you can have a JC Jackson or Derek Cox or Gaither type signing.. Or you can have a Saquon Barkley signing that just helps the team out

Chargers and Joe Hortiz don't need to go crazy but cap space can be used and if you have somebody that knows excel, you can plan for the next 3-4 years. So you sign some players this year, start building a core group that draft picks can add too

darn right the cap space can AND SHOULD be used.

the udfa market ... lol. what does that mean - a normal year is 15 UDFAs? you mean they sign 15 UDFAs after the draft and use them as their 90-player camp fodder and then cut them all at the end of summer? I have a poor memory so I'm open to correction but how many of Joe's UDFAs made a contribution last year? my count is zero.

UDFA ... building a team ... good one, now you're just pulling my leg!

Joe can't take that cap cash with him to heaven - spend that shit!

[Formula 21]

To clarify, Trader Joe did NOT give up any picks to trade up for Ladd...he did a two-pick swap...before and after the trade up, we still had two picks...just that the 2nd rounder was of greater value, and the 4th rounder turned into a 5th rounder...and that 5th rounder, #137 turned into Tarheeb Still...not bad...

image.png
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_N...t#cite_note-42

NE’s butt is still hurting from that one.

[wu-dai clan]

Outside UFAs.
Ugh.
Inflation sucks.
Pay da man !

Will Fries. Stabilizes our offensive line.
Chris Godwin. X-Man does not drop passes.
Wait for late selective bargains.
This is the power move for us.

In 2016, the Falcons signed Center Alex Mack, who brought their offensive line together as one.
They also signed Mohamed Sanu, who freed up Julio Jones.
They made it to the Super Bowl.

This is my model for us now.

[Fouts2herbert]

True, Taylor’s not a great blocker but he’s very good in the red zone, so he’d get plenty of playing time. I also am giving him the edge cause Pedigree counts. I think by year 2 he’s a top 10 TE. He reminds me of Jason Witten/Mark Andrews.

I'm reading that he's rising up the board, probably won't be available at #55...but this time a year we read a lot of those types of stories and every year a bunch of guys are still available in 3rd and 4rth round that were supposed to be gone by the 2nd round, LOL...

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

I'm reading that he's rising up the board, probably won't be available at #55...but this time a year we read a lot of those types of stories and every year a bunch of guys are still available in 3rd and 4rth round that were supposed to be gone by the 2nd round, LOL...

Correct. And this year, we'll be convinced that the best 25 players will ALL be off the board by the 22nd pick.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

NE’s butt is still hurting from that one.

It's not that the trade itself was bad-- New England simply whiffed on their pick. They could have taken Cooper DeJean or Braden Fiske, instead of Ja'Lynn Polk.

[Fouts2herbert]

And all you’ll hear on the Patriots sites is, “We got fleeced..” or “We got so hosed on that deal..”
And I just see Hortiz with that big smile..
I don’t see us trading with NE this year..

they're only saying that because hindsight is always 20/20...had Jaylin Polk had a big rookie year they'd be talking about how they fleeced us...and in that messy situation it's hard to imagine how Polk could've had the success that McConkey had, Polk played for two QBs and one was a rookie the other a journeyman on his like his 7th team...McConkey was also fortunate to land on a team with a future hall of famer under center...