SAN DIEGO -- Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco wasn’t expected to make a major splash in free agency. And other than signing left tackle Russell Okung to a four-year, $53 million deal -- filling the team’s biggest need in free agency -- the past three days have been relatively quiet for the Chargers.
Telesco did a nice job of bringing back players in free agency important to continuing to build the roster, including safety Jahleel Addae, quarterback Kellen Clemens, long-snapper Mike Windt and defensive tackle Damion Square.
And the top priority this offseason was retaining edge-rusher Melvin Ingram, which the franchise achieved by using the franchise tag.
As the second wave of free agency begins and the market resets, we’ll see what type of value Telesco can find.
Now, let’s get to your questions from this week’s mailbag:
@eric_d_williams Do you think trovon reed will make the team next season ?
— Chargers For Life (@Imthatdude619) March 3, 2017
@eric_d_williams: Not only do I believe Trovon Reed will make the team, but he has a good chance to carve out a role on defense in 2017.
Telesco recently had good things to say about Reed, when asked about the Auburn product’s performance last season.
“What he did in such a short period of time was impressive,” Telesco told the team’s website. “He played really good football for us, and I’m looking forward to seeing if he can build on that for this next year.”
Waived/injured by the Seattle Seahawks during final roster cuts in August, Reed was added to the Chargers’ practice squad after his injury healed in October. He eventually earned a place on the active roster and produced when given an opportunity, finishing the year with two interceptions in six games played.
At 6-foot and 191 pounds, the former receiver in college has good length and ball skills. And Reed did a nice job both as a slot defender and perimeter player.
The Chargers’ coaching staff likes Reed’s competitiveness and swagger. And the fact that he spent some time in Seattle should help with the transition to defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s 4-3 scheme.
Another player to watch is undrafted rookie Trevor Williams. The Penn State product appeared in 12 games, including five starts last season. At 5-11 and 195 pounds, Williams played over 100 snaps as a slot defender as a rookie, holding his own.
@eric_d_williams why hasn't Dunlap been cut?
— Jason Moose Ciano (@Chargersmoose) March 11, 2017
@eric_d_williams: With the signing of Okung, the Chargers essentially replaced the team’s left tackle the past four years in King Dunlap.
Dunlap is due $5.75 million in base salary if he’s on the roster to start the year. However, as Michael Gehlken points out here, Dunlap is due to receive a roster bonus of $500,000 if he’s on the roster March 18, so expect the Chargers to either release or restructure Dunlap by then.
Dunlap was arrested last month for allegedly violating a protection order in Nashville, Tennessee, so I’m not sure how much that issue will play a role in whether he stays with the Chargers.
“He’s been a high-character guy for the Chargers over the last four years,” head coach Anthony Lynn said about Dunlap at the combine. “I understand he’s dealing with the law right now and we’re going to let that process work itself out. I don’t want to make any judgments on him right now. King’s done an outstanding job and I think he’s going to be OK.”
