The Los Angeles Chargers are set to enter free agency with the most salary cap available since Tom Telesco took over as general manager in 2013.
Even though the franchise has some in-house players that will need to get paid, there’s a great chance that Telesco and company will be aggressive in signing other soon-to-be free agents to bolster an already talented roster, with the hopes of making a quick turnaround after finishing 5-11 in 2019.
With that being said, we are going to list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A. Next up is the NFC North.
Green Bay Packers – OT Bryan Bulaga
Bulaga is a proven right tackle that would give the line a much-needed boost. In each of his full seasons since 2014, Bulaga has ranked among the 10 best right tackles in Pro Football Focus’ pass-blocking grade, with three ranking in the top three.
Bulaga, 30, is coming off a five-year, $33 million contract, but his new deal is expected to cost more annually. He could command a little north of $10 million per year, which calculates the market value of his next contract to be three years and about $30.4 million, per Spotrac.
It may seem like a decent amount of money, but given how much of a need it is to fulfill the position, giving one of the league’s best right tackles that type of paycheck could pay huge dividends for the Bolts.
Minnesota Vikings – CB Trae Waynes
Waynes has tallied 42 passes defensed and seven total interceptions in 53 starts for the Vikings. Since he was drafted in 2015, he produced a mixed bag of results in coverage, but his game has progressed every year. Waynes was also one of Minnesota’s top run defenders on the outside, amassing 247 tackles. He’s also been durable, starting 44 of 48 games since he became a starter in 2017. Another plus is that he’s only 27 years old. The former Michigan State product would be the ideal compliment to Casey Hayward on the perimeter.
Detroit Lions – OL Graham Glasgow
Glasgow started at left guard in 2017, center in 2018 and right guard in 2019. The versatility alone should be very intriguing for the Chargers, but his production for Detroit is what should buy Los Angeles in completely. This past season, Glasgow earned a 74.1 overall grade that ranked ninth out of 66 qualified guards. Glasgow, who is more superior in the run-blocking department, is still stout in pass protection. In 2019, he didn’t allow a sack and only committed three penalties.
Chicago Bears – WR Taylor Gabriel
Gabriel spent two seasons in Chicago after signing a four-year deal in 2018, catching 96 passes for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns over the two stints. His 2019 season was short-lived due to two concussions suffered during the year. If Gabriel stays healthy, he has the make-up to be a nice WR3 and much-needed vertical option for the Chargers as he wins with his natural speed and ease of movement to be a home run threat.
Note: Gabriel was released on Friday, so he can sign with teams prior to the free agency period opening up.