Three Things We Have Learned From the Chargers’ Early Free Agency Moves
Photo Credit: Brian Rothmuller, Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
The Los Angeles Chargers have been active throughout the early stages of free agency, making a plethora of large and small moves in the first week. These moves have shown what new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh prioritizes as the franchise looks towards the draft to retool around star quarterback Justin Herbert. What did Harbaugh and General Manager Joe Horitz show the league with these transactions?
The Chargers are out on the Brock Bowers Sweepstakes
Los Angeles holds the 5th pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and many mock drafts and reports have linked the Chargers to Brock Bowers, a tight end out of Georgia who has an immense amount of potential. Bowers is one of the top tight end prospects of this decade, but the Chargers have decided to look elsewhere at the tight end position.
The Chargers signed Hayden Hurst and Will Dissly this past week to muster up their tight end room for 2024 with a veteran presence. Hurst is entering his seventh season in the NFL, and the Chargers will be the fifth franchise he’s played for. In his career, he has 195 receptions for 1,902 yards and 15 touchdowns. Dissly is also entering his seventh year but has spent his entire career in Seattle so far. He has 127 receptions for 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career.
Hurst has a massive frame that helps him make contested catches and create space in the red zone. Dissly is also a solid receiver but posted a 77.2 PFF run blocking grade in 2023, which was the second-best grade out of all tight ends in the NFL. Their playstyles supplement each other well and will make it, so Herbert always has a viable target at the tight end position. Here’s what Dissly brings in terms of blocking, where he held his own in pass protection against former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt.
Veteran Edge Rushers are Seen as More Valuable than Receivers
Former General Manager left the Chargers in a terrible cap spot, and to make things better for 2024, LA had to get rid of two of Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Mike Williams, and Keenan Allen. The four had been elite talents on the roster for years, but as age and injuries started to catch up with them, the front office had a challenging decision to make at the start of free agency.
Los Angeles decided to move on from the two receivers, as Allen was traded to Chicago for a fourth-round pick and Williams was released. With great prospects available at both positions in the upcoming draft, the Chargers showed that they value a veteran edge defender more than a wide receiver.
At the 5th pick, the Chargers should have their choice between LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze if they choose to go with a wide receiver. Both are highly talented guys who any franchise would love to have on their roster, especially when Herbert is throwing them the ball. However, it has been rumored recently that the Chargers could move back in the draft. Then it depends on where they move back to as to which, if any, of these players are available. If not, this year’s receiver class is loaded with talent, so they will have a wide variety of options.
Jim Harbaugh Trusts his Brother, John
John Harbaugh is the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, and Jim Harbaugh hasn’t wasted any time securing people who have been a part of the Ravens organization and bringing them to the Chargers. He started off by bringing Joe Horitz with him to be the team’s general manager after Horitz spent 25 years with the Ravens franchise. Next, he signed running back Gus Edwards and center Bradley Bozeman to contracts this past week, both who spent multiple seasons under John Harbaugh in Baltimore.
Bozeman spent the first four seasons of his career in Baltimore, starting 49 games for the Ravens at left guard and center. Edwards spent the first five seasons of his career in Baltimore, totaling 699 carries for 3,395 yards and 26 touchdowns. He is coming off the most productive season of his career, as he set career highs in yards, touchdowns, and first downs with hard-nosed runs like this.
The offseason is still in its early stages, and Jim Harbaugh has lots of time to continue to revamp the Chargers’ roster. His moves that he already made have showed what he prioritizes, and he isn’t done in free agency with almost $40 million in cap space available.
