Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[YAC]

I think he is 155lbs soaking wet

That didn't stop McVay from acquiring Tutu...and then re-signing him for a second contract. I suggest the guy will at least get consideration. McDaniel isn't far from McVay's way of thinking.

[wu-dai clan]

IMO, the Bolts need to add two new tight ends, each of whom is (1) 15-20 pounds heavier than OG2, (2) a +++ blocker, and (3) has, at minimum, a serviceable set of hands. Guys who are reliable assets to the running game, and thus force over-pursuing defenses into coverage lapses. That will be HUGE in making the entire offensive machine run on all cylinders.

A couple of Brandon Manumaleuna clones could get the job done.

Bullseye.

This morning, The Athletic Football Show did its yearly Lessons of the Final Four.

One hot subject was TE, as how to counter modern, light box defenses.

With 13 personnel featuring 3 TEs en vogue now, we need an upgrade at TE, In talent level and skills.

They must be able to block, create short area separation, and make firm catches.

My favorite is Sam Roush round 3, as he has been underutilized and has underrated route chops, while being a legit, blocking, inline Y-TE.

We could also go for say Flex-TE Stowers or Jolly earlier, and maybe our ingold, Nowakowski, late, as Fisk, Dissly and Matlock are out of style and the freshness label has expired.

[dmac_bolt]

I never said anything about Salyer and Penning...are u confusing me with another poster?

you quoted a post by YAC with a table of projected costs, so === you own it. thats the rule.

I agree with them - no team in the league is going to give Penning or Salyer $10M

[Bolt4Knob]

Bullseye.

This morning, The Athletic Football Show did its yearly Lessons of the Final Four.

One hot subject was TE, as how to counter modern, light box defenses.

With 13 personnel featuring 3 TEs en vogue now, we need an upgrade at TE, In talent level and skills.

They must be able to block, create short area separation, and make firm catches.

My favorite is Sam Roush round 3, as he has been underutilized and has underrated route chops, while being a legit, blocking, inline Y-TE.

We could also go for say Flex-TE Stowers or Jolly earlier, and maybe our ingold, Nowakowski, late, as Fisk, Dissly and Matlock are out of style and the freshness label has expired.

This is one of the reasons I think Hortiz needs to trade back
But the Chargers could use young depth, or rotational players at so many positions: OT, OG, C, TE, CB, LB, IDL, LB - that first picks in four rounds might not be enough

But when I say trade back - I still want a first or early 2nd - just a couple more picks in Rounds 2-5 - so from 4 picks to 6 picks

[wu-dai clan]

Bolt4Knob, Yeppers.
BAL would seem to be an ideal trade partner for example.
They have a bunch of 5s.

[Boltjolt]

I just looked his salary is higher than I thought - close to $10m
For some reason I thought it was $7m

No trade - just let him get released - though the pick was a 2028 7th rounder - like minimal value

I like Kolar and the RAvens can't keep everybody

Kolar is their 3rd string TE, they can keep him if they want to but they are likely to get a new scheme as well unless Minter hires Roman lol

None of Miami TEs were even 250 lbs and I'm not sure what type of TE prefers.

[Topcat]

you quoted a post by YAC with a table of projected costs, so === you own it. thats the rule.

I agree with them - no team in the league is going to give Penning or Salyer $10M

I was agreeing with YAC's position that we need to draft O-line early and often...then offered my own projected draft plan...never said I want to give Penning or Salyer $10 mil...look:

My sugar high and fancy for shiny didn't last long.

Reminded myself that we currently have essentially ZERO guards on our roster for 2026. (No, Becton and Ben Cleveland don't count.) Was looking at the expected market value for guards. Good gracious! Guys that can play at all are few in number...and they're so bloody *expensive*!

Did we like our guards in 2026? Look at their ranking and price! Nearly 10mil for Penning, LOL?

I'm telling you boys again: o-line in the draft...early and often...is the only way forward.

Yep...I want us to sign at least one FA G, draft one G early (preferably round 1), and also sign a decent backup G. Maybe even draft a developmental C-G in the mid rounds...

[Boltjolt]

That didn't stop McVay from acquiring Tutu...and then re-signing him for a second contract. I suggest the guy will at least get consideration. McDaniel isn't far from McVay's way of thinking.

They drafted him. His contract expired and they signed him to a 1 year deal for 10 mil., for some reason and then wasnt used much.

Played in 10 games had 6 receptions and not sure is he were injured or not activated.
Atwell hasn't returned a kick since 2021. May as well keep Davis since he is cheap in that regard but maybe we can find better?

[YAC]

I agree with them - no team in the league is going to give Penning or Salyer $10M

Those numbers came via me, but not from me. Don't shoot the messenger.
I too sure was shocked out of my skin by *all* the projected salaries for FA offensive guards presented by Spotrac.

Feel free to inspect for yourself:
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-age...026/position/g

Here are my thoughts after consideration:

• The player economy is just like anything else: supply and demand. Sometimes a loaf of bread costs a $100.
• I am building an app to run simulations for complete team building (FA/DRAFT/UDFA). There are hundreds of free agents. I'm not going to guess player's values for all these cats and manually enter a bunch of garbage.
• I need data from somewhere
• Spotrac.com is dialed in one arena: player value and team investment in those players.
• 2/3 of NFL teams seem they cannot find enough decent IOL. The IOL players at the senior bowl are generally getting torn up. Prices seem destined for a big jump, even for JAGs.

Spotrac.com was founded in 2007 by Michael Ginnitti and Scott Allen, initially as an internal tool to help with fantasy sports decisions and answer everyday questions about player earnings. Over time, it expanded significantly into a comprehensive research tool used by fans, analysts, fantasy players, media members, and others in the sports business community.

It's partnered with USA TODAY Sports Media Group but operates independently (not officially affiliated with the league).

I will continue to evaluate the merit of Spotrac's projections. For now I'm taking them seriously.

[YAC]

One additional word about Spotrac's 2026 player market value estimations.

If you look through various positions...their projections seem entirely logical. It's when you scrutinize offensive guards, where things go off the rails (seemingly).

My guess is that spotrac didn't suddenly crash when they got to guards, but rather are tuned to market forces we Charger fans might not be too happy about in a year we need to restock the pantry w/IOL positions.

[Chargers8491]

Kolar is their 3rd string TE, they can keep him if they want to but they are likely to get a new scheme as well unless Minter hires Roman lol

None of Miami TEs were even 250 lbs and I'm not sure what type of TE prefers.

Kinda why I think Greg Dulcich makes sense and he wouldn't be expensive.I'm kind of curious to see what they are going to do at fullback.

[Chargers8491]

Dawson Knox might be a TE to keep an eye on in free agency. He will have a $17m cap hit this year so he might be cut (cap casualty) from the Bills. If they want to sign their OC and OG they have to cut him to make cap space.