Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[Chargers8491]

I would rather they give Shaheed like 12-14m - if they are going WR
That being said, I still have TE behind Edge x 2, OC and OG.

They could get Shaheed and still fill those other positions with quality starters in free agency. You likely wont have the premium players like the Linderbaums but I think you can still get above average starters without breaking the bank, IMHO.

[Charge!]

I think they wait for the initial FA signings and the draft. The FA signings will dictate if they think they have a pick they can assign to a WR prospect. If they do pick on a young WR, Keenan may be left out. Expert talk is the draft is deep in WR2/WR3 type receivers into day 3 and with that 6th pick, we may well have that extra pick they need. If they don't draft a WR, he's probably brought back on a team friendly deal.

This theory about KA getting all of Ladd's touches is over-stated imo - if KA is on the field with him, Ladd may get open more not less. KA is a receiver that defenses will have to cover and respect. Beyond that narrow opening day starter thinking - KA is not simply a first-play first-game replacement for Ladd, he's also insurance against any of the top 3 (Ladd, QK and Harris) missing time for injury. We don't know we can count on KLS yet - his first season was a mistake-riddled compilation of execution errors. Allen can rotate in some snaps to keep other receivers fresher.

we should always have 5 WRs active that we believe can execute plays and help move the ball. It was only 2 years ago ... ahem ...

this past season, teams used their top 2 CB's to cover Ladd and QJ...... KA and Harris got single coverage most plays..... KA usually is playing against 3rd or 4th CB.....

As a rookie, LADD was getting single coverage most of the time....

I assume Davis will be cut at some point because he is no longer a great returner and is way too small to play WR..... so that opens up one slot for a speedy rookie WR/returner.....2 slots if KA is gone.....

Maybe we cut KA but tell him to stay in shape in case we have WR injuries?...I dont think most teams will want to pay him...

[Bolt4Knob]

They could get Shaheed and still fill those other positions with quality starters in free agency. You likely wont have the premium players like the Linderbaums but I think you can still get above average starters without breaking the bank, IMHO.

Listening to The Afhletic Football podcast and they were talking about teams needing QBs -and one of the teams was the Raiders and they mentioned how the Raiders Oline was so bad last year but this year, it just needs to jump from like 31 to 25 - just incremental to help Mendoza and the running game with Jeanty

Now I want the Chargers to have a VERY good Oline - like top 12 or so. But what if they went from 32 to 20 - that could be a huge improvement.
So to your point, could just getting average players be enough? Hortiz has to figure that out

One name to think about Elgton Jenkins - might get waived by the Packers. Can play OC or OG. I think he will be 31 this year but might be a big cheaper

[Charge!]

Speed can't be taught, but it can be overrated. Many of the best WRs in the game today are not speed demons. Puka Nacua is an example. His 2023 Combine time was 4.57, but his 1715 yds receiving last season was just 78 yds fewer than JSN, both caught 10 TD passes. Nacua has arguably been the best WR in the league the past 3 seasons. JSN is not exactly a speed demon either, 4.48 at his Ohio State Pro Day in 2023, he's not a 4.3 guy. Toughness, good route running, the ability to create separation are more valuable than pure speed.

some guys play faster then their 40 time..... Chargers have drafted guys who play slower than their 40 times.... lol

Rice was like 4.6 or 4.7 but NEVER got run down from behind...... some CB's could catch up to him but he was so smooth big and strong at around 220 that the DB would stumble and lose speed or fall down trying to tackle him.....

There are some guys who are so flipping fast that they just flat out pull away from most CB's......like some of the chief WR's do... but it requires a great throw to take advantage of the speed.....

the other issue is when a scheme causes the wrong defender to end up isolated on a speed burner.... like years ago, Hill would go in motion across the field, yet somehow the stupid Chargers defense would stupidly switch up and leave a LBer one on one with Hill..... giving up an easy TD????.... that is where speed looks even more explosive.....lol

[Charge!]

Give me Shaheed. Younger and more speed. Plus, he can take over PR/KR duties.

This is the perfect add.... fixes 2 glaring skill position holes on our offense.......

[dmac_bolt]

Listening to The Afhletic Football podcast and they were talking about teams needing QBs -and one of the teams was the Raiders and they mentioned how the Raiders Oline was so bad last year but this year, it just needs to jump from like 31 to 25 - just incremental to help Mendoza and the running game with Jeanty

Now I want the Chargers to have a VERY good Oline - like top 12 or so. But what if they went from 32 to 20 - that could be a huge improvement.
So to your point, could just getting average players be enough? Hortiz has to figure that out

One name to think about Elgton Jenkins - might get waived by the Packers. Can play OC or OG. I think he will be 31 this year but might be a big cheaper

where's that graphic of playoff teams sorted by OL ranking when we need it? Wasnt LAC the only team with OL outside of Top 20 to make the playoffs? Weren't 9 of the top 10 OL teams in the playoffs?

Lets aim for Top 10. Doesn't have to be #1 but if we want to be a championship team and the OL is one of the key pillars of a team ... dot dot dot ... #20 is not the target.

[Chargers8491]

Listening to The Afhletic Football podcast and they were talking about teams needing QBs -and one of the teams was the Raiders and they mentioned how the Raiders Oline was so bad last year but this year, it just needs to jump from like 31 to 25 - just incremental to help Mendoza and the running game with Jeanty

Now I want the Chargers to have a VERY good Oline - like top 12 or so. But what if they went from 32 to 20 - that could be a huge improvement.
So to your point, could just getting average players be enough? Hortiz has to figure that out

One name to think about Elgton Jenkins - might get waived by the Packers. Can play OC or OG. I think he will be 31 this year but might be a big cheaper

I don't know. They did win 11 games with an historically worse oline in the league so going to 20 would be pretty huge improvement. Plus, with McD's playcalling, moving the pocket, screens, and quick timing passes will cover up any weaknesses, IMHO.

With that said, just because they don't go out and get premium olinemen doesn't mean they still can't have a top 10 oline.

[Boltx]

Listening to The Afhletic Football podcast and they were talking about teams needing QBs -and one of the teams was the Raiders and they mentioned how the Raiders Oline was so bad last year but this year, it just needs to jump from like 31 to 25 - just incremental to help Mendoza and the running game with Jeanty

Now I want the Chargers to have a VERY good Oline - like top 12 or so. But what if they went from 32 to 20 - that could be a huge improvement.
So to your point, could just getting average players be enough? Hortiz has to figure that out

One name to think about Elgton Jenkins - might get waived by the Packers. Can play OC or OG. I think he will be 31 this year but might be a big cheaper

Well that is my greatest fear - that the front office will think the return of Slater/Alt is good enough and run it back with the same flawed interior.

[Bolt4Knob]

Well that is my greatest fear - that the front office will think the return of Slater/Alt is good enough and run it back with the same flawed interior.

I am by no means saying that. I just mean does the front office want to see if they can go cheaper again with the likes of say Fortner at OC and maybe keeping Zion at LG and trying to figure out RG.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Well that is my greatest fear - that the front office will think the return of Slater/Alt is good enough and run it back with the same flawed interior.

Well they should remember that the o line got lit up and could not protect Herbert in the 2024 playoff game against Houston either...with Alt and Slater

[CanadianBoltFan]

I am by no means saying that. I just mean does the front office want to see if they can go cheaper again with the likes of say Fortner at OC and maybe keeping Zion at LG and trying to figure out RG.

I think what you suggest might be more realistic then Lindenbaum

[Bolt4Knob]

I think what you suggest might be more realistic then Lindenbaum

I still think I would prefer McGovern over Fortner - more of a known quantity