The Official 2026 Chargers Season Discussion - (0-2)

[Chargers8491]

Agree. He is the beat writer and there are things they don't want him to know. He has access to people sure and he has better feel than we do but MW and Keenan I think may know if this is brewing or not more than Popper.

And if there is anything brewing with Keenan, then 1,.... we will likely carry 6 WRs and two we won't be drafting one early and likely get a development type which in this draft can be from round 3 on down.

Not like WR is stacked in this class but there are some pretty decent good ones.

I honestly don't think they are signing any more free agents until after the draft. I think if they do anything before the draft it will be a trade but think that is even highly unlikely.

[Boltnut]

Almost half this roster is bridge players on a 1-2-year contract. They need young starters at almost every position.

I agree Herbert needs weapons, but they also need a #1 corner. IMHO, the best value is WR/CB/Edge/IDL/ and OG with pick #22. I only added OG because they are still building, and OG could very well be picked in the 1st rnd to continue building their o-line. RB for me is a wildcard because I'm not sure how Hortiz/Harbaugh value RB in the draft. They did take Vidal late but that really doesn't mean anything.

In years-past, I was all about finding a #1CB. I wanted McDuffie a few years ago. But now... the heavy-zone scheme Minter plays doesn't necessarily depend on a shut-down CB. Still and Hart played extremely well (for 5th rounders) and appear to have taken over for ASJ and Fulton. Benjamin St.Juste and Donte Jackson were brought in to compete and/or be depth @CB. Derwin drops into the slot often... and signing Molden long-term really makes this secondary solid IMO.

Yes, this roster is full of "bridge players" on short contracts... but that can be expected from now on. Those are great opportunities for Hortiz's comp picks. But most importantly, it allows us to draft BPA all rounds during the draft. And that is really how you build a strong roster.

[sonorajim]

Yeah, that's the way I see this WR class... not great at the top... but decent players may be available in 4th/5th rounds.
Getting MW as our X-WR was a smart move... especially if health is good. If we get a good TE (1st/2nd) then our receiving options look pretty good. I expect QJ to get another year before we get anxious about the receiving corps. We'll take care of a long-term solution @RB before we get too antsy @WR. We're expected to value the running game... reportedly, it sets up the passing game.

You know the theory. Nothing revolutionary. Run successfully and consistently, defenses have to move to stop you, drawing personnel closer to the LOS thus opening up pass opportunities. And vice versa. Connect consistently with the pass, LBs and DBs drop back some spread out more away from the LOS. Then there's the part about keeping defenses on the field while we make extended drives. Wear them down, dominate in 4th quarter.

There's that AND we need to block.Penetration of our OL in the middle paralyzed our O more than once. How sure are we that Zioo, Boze and James are the answer at LG & C ? I might draft the best OG/ C available at 22. Then worry about WR/ TE , RB, Edge, DT, CB. I'm glad Hortiz is doing this.and not me..

[Xenos]

Isnt he too expensive for a mediocre backup? We already have 5 other backups.

• McLellan, OT
• Jamaree Salyer, G
• Karsen Barnhart, G
• Andre James, C/IOL
• Bucky Williams, C/IOL

None of those backups are as good as Pipkins. If you can afford to keep him, which they currently can be because they still have +$30 million in cap space, you do it because of what happened to Slater and Alt injury wise last year. Pipkins can fill in for a game or two without causing Herbert to die.

[Maniaque 6]

None of those backups are as good as Pipkins. If you can afford to keep him, which they currently can be because they still have +$30 million in cap space, you do it because of what happened to Slater and Alt injury wise last year. Pipkins can fill in for a game or two without causing Herbert to die.

Are you sure ?

[Bolt4Knob]

I don't disagree. I have said I wouldn't sign him but maybe they have more plans for Ladd and it isn't Keenan that will play else where? I've no idea but if they plan on signing him after the draft or whenever it may be they have a plan for something.
I don't think Ladd is just relegated to slot duty only. All this has to be figured in with QJ and his abilities as well. Maybe they plan of packaging QJ in a trade and plan on drafting a WR and signing Keenan? 🤷

Beats me. It will make sense in a month or so.

Agree
if the draft craps out WR and nothing comes to fruition
sure bring him back
I just want to see what the draft has to offer and my guess, Hortiz does too

Unless your idea about trading QJ were to happen - that would make a lot of sense to bring back KA

[21&500]

OT:
If anyone is at the Danzig/Down show at the Kia Forum in LA, find the guy wearing a Hebrert jersey and say hi to me.

Update: 2 boltups. 1 drunk Rams fan telling me how much he loves Herbert. Haha. Respect.

[Xenos]

Are you sure ?

Yes. He had like two pressures filling in for Alt against KC, and one pressure against the Raiders when Slater was suddenly out and Alt moved to LT. It’s Salyer that’s really bad at pass protection.

[Boltnut]

You know the theory. Nothing revolutionary. Run successfully and consistently, defenses have to move to stop you, drawing personnel closer to the LOS thus opening up pass opportunities. And vice versa. Connect consistently with the pass, LBs and DBs drop back some spread out more away from the LOS. Then there's the part about keeping defenses on the field while we make extended drives. Wear them down, dominate in 4th quarter.

There's that AND we need to block.Penetration of our OL in the middle paralyzed our O more than once. How sure are we that Zioo, Boze and James are the answer at LG & C ? I might draft the best OG/ C available at 22. Then worry about WR/ TE , RB, Edge, DT, CB. I'm glad Hortiz is doing this.and not me..

Yeah, I'm not sure what the plan is @OC. Are they hoping James becomes the center he was in 2023...? Are they hoping Bozeman becomes the center he was @Baltimore...? Are they really thinking about Zion to center...? Are they really going for Tyler Booker @LG...? Woody hopes so. I think someone will snag Booker before #22. Will they draft Zabel @#22...? So risky IMO.

My favorite college center is Seth McLaughlin... but he tore his achilles in November. Do they draft him in the 4th round and put him on the PUP list... easing him in later in the season...? So many questions...

[wu-dai clan]

Yeah, I'm not sure what the plan is @OC. Are they hoping James becomes the center he was in 2023...? Are they hoping Bozeman becomes the center he was @Baltimore...? Are they really thinking about Zion to center...? Are they really going for Tyler Booker @LG...? Woody hopes so. I think someone will snag Booker before #22. Will they draft Zabel @#22...? So risky IMO.

My favorite college center is Seth McLaughlin... but he tore his achilles in November. Do they draft him in the 4th round and put him on the PUP list... easing him in later in the season...? So many questions...

Woody faces the music--our IOL is our achilles heel.

Popper says it's Zion, Bozeman and Andre competing for two spots.

I say it's Zion, Bozeman, Andre, Salyer, Pipkins and a rookie or two with some actual talent, competing for a few spots.

Winner take all.
The shit show must stop.

Criminy, if Herbert has a decently comfortable inner pocket, with time to throw, shoot Fisk can be this year's Dissly level receiving TE.

[richpjr]

Personally I don't think drafting Warren or Loveland is an issue. They will both be long gone.

However, even if they are, is that a position that worth devoting a #1 pick on? I think Loveland can be an elite Flex TE type of player. However, we aren't going to use him like that. We want a TE to line up inline and they are going to have to do a lot of inline blocking. Loveland is not that good at that. So, we aren't going to use his best skills to their fullest and using him in a role that he is not that highly suited for. It doesn't usually bring out the best in a player. The Ravens used TE as their featured receivers and won the matchups of their TE vs LB all day long. But is it the best use of our draft credit to go after a player we won't be getting the most out of. We still have other needs.

I think we draft someone in the trenches with our first pick - DT/edge/IOL.

[Maniaque 6]

I see Salyer at swing
I take the 6 millions from Pipskin