The Chargers present one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. A handful of those players were obtained by general manager Tom Telesco on great deals, too.
With that being said, here is a look at three of the best bargain contracts that Los Angeles has on the roster for the upcoming season:
OT Bryan Bulaga
Average salary: $4,833,333
In need of solid play along the offensive line, the Chargers were able to land one of the best players at the right tackle position for a heck of a deal. Bulaga was signed to a three-year deal worth $30 million. There are 37 tackles in the league that will make more than him this upcoming season, some of which are backups. The 10-year veteran should accelerate the transition process for new offensive line coach James Campen who coached him during their shared time with the Packers. But most importantly, protect Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert and aide in paving the way for the members of the backfield.
S Derwin James
Average salary: $3,378,806
It only took a season for James to make his mark as one of the league’s best safeties. His 105 tackles (75 solo), six quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in his rookie campaign hardly showed how phenomenal he was, as the do-it-all defender helped take the defense to another level. Had he not been hurt in Year 2, the former Florida State product would have been a prime candidate for Defensive Player of the Year honors. There are 37 safeties who are set to make more than James during the 2020 season. If James cranks it up another notch this season, a contract extension could be in discussion.
CB Desmond King
Average salary: $2,202,998
The Chargers boast a strong secondary, but one player who hasn’t gotten as much recognition as he should is King. He has been tabbed as Second-Team All-Pro (2018), snubbed from a couple of Pro Bowls and has the second-highest three-year Pro Football Focus grade on defense from the 2017 NFL Draft (90.7). There 62 cornerbacks set to make more than the former Iowa product this upcoming season. Slated to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, it would be difficult to see a key defensive back leave, but the signing of Chris Harris Jr. might leave him out of a job with the team after 2020.