The first wave of NFL free agency is history and it has provided some clarity for what the Chargers might do with five selections in the draft next month. As expected, their free-agent focus was on retooling their offensive and defensive lines while keeping contracts within reason.
The Chargers had more than $62 million in salary cap space entering this week, according to figures compiled by the website overthecap.com, which is still plenty to cover additional free-agent signings, plus their draft picks, plus any and all in-season moves they might make.
They have spent wisely.
Or cheaply, depending on your point of view.
No matter how you categorize it, the Chargers still have plenty of work to do before picking 22nd overall April 23, the first day of the three-day draft. Conventional wisdom suggests they still need help on their offensive line after Justin Herbert was sacked a career-high 54 times last season.
To recap free agency, the Chargers released right guard Mekhi Becton and signed ex-Miami Dolphins guard Cole Strange to a two-year, $13 million contract. They also signed ex-Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz (three years, $30 million) to replace the retired Bradley Bozeman.
In addition, the Chargers also re-signed guard/tackle Trey Pipkins III to a two-year, $10 million deal after left guard Zion Johnson signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, which proved to be too much for GM Joe Hortiz to match or exceed.
What’s more, the Chargers signed former Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million contract after releasing Will Dissly and choosing not to re-sign Tyler Conklin. The Detroit Lions then signed Conklin to a one-year contract.
Hortiz also re-signed outside linebacker Khalil Mack (one year, $18 million) after re-signing defensive lineman Teair Tart (three years, $37.5 million) in January. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh then signed with the Commanders (four years, $100 million).
Oweh’s deal was another that was too rich for the Chargers.
The Chargers also re-signed linebackers Denzel Perryman for one season and Del’Shawn Phillips for two years. They also signed former Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson to a one-year deal after linebacker Da’Shawn Hand signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Here’s a second look at how the Chargers’ draft might unfold, with help from Pro Football Focus, Pro Football Network, The Athletic, NFL Mock Draft Database and plenty of guesswork that will inevitably prove to be wrong by April 23, so don’t take any of this to Las Vegas:
Round 1 (22nd overall)
The pick: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 245 pounds
Analysis: Assuming he is still available for the Chargers to select is a pretty big assumption after Sadiq’s stellar showing at the NFL Scouting Combine last month in Indianapolis. If the Chargers can get him, then they should do so without hesitation, as we suggested in our first mock draft last month. He could be the playmaker they need in what could become a strong group of tight ends, joining Kolar, who excels at blocking, and Oronde Gadsden, who doesn’t. To be fair, Gadsden is a better pass-catcher than Kolar. Sadiq could give the Chargers a combination of the two players, someone they wouldn’t have to rush into a starting role in his rookie season. Again, that’s assuming he’s still there to be picked. If not, then the Chargers’ focus could shift to an offensive or defensive lineman.
Other options: Florida DT Caleb Banks, Texas A&M OL Chase Bisontis, Indiana WR Omar Cooper, Tennessee CB Colton Hood, Penn State OL Olaivavega Ioane, Utah OL Caleb Lomu, Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald, Clemson OLB T.J. Parker, Missouri OLB Zion Young.
Round 2 (55th overall)
The pick: OL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Measurables: 6-4, 314 pounds
Analysis: Pregnon is another Duck who could be long gone by the time the Chargers get around to making their second pick. The former USC Trojan could be just the sort of player they need to bolster their offensive line, though. He is listed as a guard, which is a position of need. The Chargers already have two standout tackles in Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater and they hope they are sound enough to start the season after suffering season-ending ankle and knee injuries, respectively, in 2025. The book on Pregnon is that he’s athletic, experienced and well-rounded.
Other options: Texas A&M OL Chase Bisontis, Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell, Kansas State C Sam Hecht, Florida DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Penn State OLB Dani Dennis-Sutton.
Round 3 (86th overall)
The pick: S Kamari Ramsey, USC
Measurables: 6-0, 202 pounds
Analysis: The Chargers traded safety Alohi Gilman to the Ravens to acquire Oweh last season, believing they had sufficient depth at defensive back to complete the deal. Oweh signed with the Commanders as a free agent and now the Chargers don’t have Gilman or Oweh, so adding depth at safety makes sense with this selection. The scouting report on Ramsey is that he’s a versatile player who played consistently as a nickelback and whose tackling improved greatly this past season with the Trojans. He was a high school standout at Sierra Canyon.
Other options: Tennessee OLB Joshua Josephs, Duke OL Brian Parker II, Georgia Tech OL Keylan Rutledge, Florida C Jake Slaughter, Iowa OL Beau Stephens.
Round 4 (123rd overall)
The pick: DL Kaleb Proctor, Southeast Louisiana
Measurables: 6-2, 291 pounds
Analysis: Proctor would be a depth player as a rookie, an important asset at an important position. Hortiz and Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh view the offensive and defensive lines as building blocks for a winning roster. It’s tough to argue with their philosophy since the Chargers have won 11 games in each of their two seasons in their jobs. Proctor is undersized, but said to be quick off the mark.
Other options: Iowa C Logan Jones, Texas A&M CB Will Lee III, Kentucky C Jager Burton, Texas S Michael Taaffe, Oklahoma DL Gracen Halton, Alabama DL LT Overton.
Round 5
No pick. Traded to the Ravens for Oweh on Oct. 7.
Round 6 (204th overall)
The pick: OLB TJ Guy, Michigan
Measurables: 6-4, 250 pounds
Analysis: The loss of Oweh means the Chargers need another pass rusher. After all, Oweh had 7.5 sacks after they acquired him from the Ravens. Guy had 18 tackles this past season, including 13 solo. He also had 2.5 sacks. The Chargers might have addressed this need by the time this round rolls around, but if not Guy could be the guy.
Other options: Florida OLB Tyreak Sapp, North Carolina State CB Devon Marshall, Missouri S Jalen Catalon, Wyoming TE John Michael Gyllenborg, Baylor WR Josh Cameron.
Round 7
No pick. Traded to the Tennessee Titans for S Elijah Molden on Aug. 28, 2024.