Report: Chargers to host Florida State DT Braden Fiske on pre-draft visit

The Chargers are interested in an athletic defensive tackle.

Former Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske will be traveling to Los Angeles for a top-30 visit with the Chargers, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Fiske arrived at Florida State this past season from Western Michigan, and he played a big role for the Seminoles. In 13 appearances, he had 43 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks. In 2022 at WMU, he had 59 tackles, 12 TFLs and six sacks before making his way to FSU.

Fiske, the 6-foot-4 and 292-pounder, was a standout at the NFL Scouting Combine. He led all defensive tackles in the vertical (33.5″), broad jump (9’9), and 40-yard dash (4.78 seconds).

That immense athleticism shows up on the football field, as Fiske plays with good movement skills and quickness. While he possesses below-average length, Fiske is crafty with his hands and is strong at the point of attack.

The Chargers signed Poona Ford last week, but they still need to fill out the interior part of the defensive line depth chart.

Chargers sign OL Bradley Bozeman

The Chargers fill a void at center.

The Chargers are signing offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman.

With Corey Linsley headed toward retirement due to medical issues, Los Angeles needed a starting center. Bozeman will fill that void.

The Bolts are emphasizing the running game, and Bozeman’s strength is paving the way on the ground. His 71.6 run-blocking grade since 2021 is 11th among all Centers over that period.

Selected by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft, Bozeman started 49 games across four seasons, with most being at left guard.

Bozeman joined the Panthers ahead of the 2022 season, and he re-signed with the team on a three-year, $18 million contract last offseason. He started 28 of his 34 appearances.

This past season, Bozeman was chosen as the Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee.

What the Chargers can do with their cap space after roster moves

The Chargers currently sit at about $28 million in salary cap space.

The Chargers currently sit at about $28 million in salary cap space. Some of that will be saved for draft pick allocation in addition to the contracts of LA’s recent free agent acquisitions that are not yet baked in. But, as a result of trading Keenan Allen, Joe Hortiz and company have some avenues towards becoming active in the second wave of free agency.

One position the Chargers should be aggressive in acquiring prior to the draft is center. Corey Linsley’s likely retirement has left a hole that is currently filled by Brenden Jaimes. Bradley Bozeman, amongst other potential options, would make a lot of sense given his history. He also doesn’t factor into the comp pick formula because he was cut by Carolina.

Signings like Bozeman’s are what I imagine being the strategy for other positions as well. One-year deals with a positive upside that builds depth so the team isn’t quite as pigeonholed in the draft seems like the way to go.

With Josh Palmer currently the #1 wideout on the depth chart, wide receiver is another position where the Chargers should arguably make an investment post-Allen trade. The market is a bit dry given that the Allen trade happened nearly a week into the tampering/free agency window. Options like Odell Beckham Jr. and Tyler Boyd are projected to get $7-8 million in AAV on shorter-term deals via PFF’s projections. Other less expensive veteran wideouts like Josh Reynolds and Marquez Valdes-Scantling could also be in play.

However, Hortiz did mention the depth of this receiver class before in his media availability at the combine. Considering how deep it is thought to be, there could be an argument for LA to take multiple wideouts as opposed to using the free-agent market.

At linebacker, the team looks to fortify starter, depth, and special teams talent with the signing of Troy Dye and Denzel Perryman. Other depth linebackers could still be appealing as LA explores their options. Zach Cunningham and Isaiah Simmons could play well in coverage with a Jesse Minter scheme.

Another position the Chargers don’t seem set on entering the draft is cornerback. Vet options like Stephon Gilmore and Steven Nelson are still waiting in the second wave of free agency. Cheaper options like Rock Ya-Sin or even a reunion with Michael Davis could also make sense. The Chargers shouldn’t go into the draft with Asante Samuel Jr. being the only starter-level worthy cornerback on the roster.

In any event, the goal for positions like center, wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback on the roster right now should be getting playable talent for draft leverage. You’re not going to fill every hole in free agency and it’s still a tall task to do it in the draft, even with the newly added fourth-round pick. Giving the roster some breathing room at key spots should be the goal to give LA more flexibility in April.

Chargers re-signing QB Easton Stick

The Chargers are bringing back a familiar face.

The Chargers are re-signing quarterback Easton Stick, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.

Stick, a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, had served as the backup with zero experience as a starter until this past season when Justin Herbert was sidelined with a finger injury.

Stick went on to start the final four games and finished with 1,129 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception while adding 144 rushing yards and a score on 27 carries.

With a new regime, it wouldn’t have been surprising if they addressed the backup quarterback spot with another veteran. But given Stick’s athleticism paired with Greg Roman’s run-heavy offense, the pairing made sense.

Additionally, the Chargers brought back Shane Day to be the team’s quarterbacks coach. He previously worked with Stick in 2021 and 2022.

Chargers signing LB Troy Dye

Troy Dye was a special teams ace with the Vikings.

The Chargers are signing linebacker Troy Dye, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Dye, a fourth-round pick of the 2020 NFL draft, spent the past four seasons with the Vikings. In that time span, he appeared in 60 games but only started eight games on defense, logging 80 tackles, two passes defended and a sack.

Where Dye really made his money was on special teams, where he logged 1,094 snaps.

Dye reunites with Ryan Ficken, who was Minnesota’s assistant special teams coach (2020) and special teams coordinator (2021).

With the Chargers, Dye will provide a special teams ace and depth at linebacker following the departures of Amen Ogbongbemiga and Tanner Muse.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ expected signing of TE Will Dissly

Here’s how social media reacted to the Chargers’ newest addition, Will Dissly.

The Chargers agreed to terms with tight end Will Dissly, the former Seahawk, on Monday.

Here’s how social media reacted to the newest addition:

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ expected signing of RB Gus Edwards

Here’s how Twitter is reacting to the Chargers signing Gus Edwards.

The Chargers have agreed to terms with former Ravens running back Gus Edwards on a two-year deal.

Here’s how social media reacted to the newest addition to Los Angeles:

Chargers re-signing Alohi Gilman

Alohi Gilman was deserving of another contract with the Chargers.

The Chargers are bringing back one of their own players, as Alohi Gilman agreed to terms with Los Angeles, according to his agent, Kenny Zuckerman.

According to NFL Media’s Mike Garofolo, Gilman’s new contract is for $11 million over two years.

Gilman became a full-time starter for the first time in his career and took advantage of the opportunity, amassing career-high numbers in tackles (73), interceptions (2), and forced fumbles (3).

Across four seasons, Gilman has 180 tackles, 14 passes defended and four interceptions.

With Gilman sticking around, he will play a key role alongside Derwin James. JT Woods is also still on the roster. Look for the Chargers to fill out the position room with another veteran free agency or late in the draft.

Instant analysis of Chargers’ expected signing of TE Will Dissly

What the signing of Will Dissly means for the Chargers.

After adding former Ravens running back Gus Edwards on Monday, the Chargers struck a second time, adding former Seahawks tight end Will Dissly.

According to reports, Los Angeles signed Dissly to a three-year, $14 million contract. $10 million of that money is guaranteed in the first two seasons of the deal.

The 27-year-old Dissly was released by Seattle last week as the Seahawks prepared their cap sheet for free agency, which means that his signing with the Chargers does not affect the compensatory pick formula. That’s an important tidbit given how much of an emphasis new general manager Joe Hortiz has placed on gathering compensatory picks, a hallmark of his time in Baltimore.

Widely regarded as one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, Dissly was ranked as the third-best run blocker from the tight end spot in 2023. He trailed only George Kittle and Charlie Woerner, both of the 49ers. Woerner signed a 3-year, $12 million contract with the Falcons earlier on Monday.

It’s a welcome change for the Chargers, who endured the 54th, 71st, and 80th run-blocking grades of 81 qualified tight ends a season ago. Gerald Everett (54th) is a free agent, although Los Angeles could elect to bring him back in more of a receiving role if the money is right. Donald Parham (71st) and Stone Smartt (80th) are due to return in 2024 but could end up being the receiving options if Los Angeles does not return Everett.

It also likely takes LA out of the running for Georgia’s Brock Bowers, a popular, if waning, mock draft selection for the Chargers. The allocation of a tight end with $10 million guaranteed and a top-flight draft pick, with the other holes on the roster, feels like an unwise investment. Los Angeles will likely target a tight end further down the draft board, like Penn State’s Theo Johnson or Colorado State’s Dallin Holker, to pair with Dissly.

Originally a fourth-round selection out of Washington, Dissly proves that tight ends who can block can carve out lengthy careers in the NFL. For the Chargers to secure him for mid-market money without losing a potential compensatory pick is a win for Los Angeles, which needs moves around the margins like this to pan out if they’re going to be competitive in the short term. Dissly, as long as he stays healthy, should get them closer.

Chargers agree to terms with TE Will Dissly

The Chargers add a premier run blocker.

The Chargers have made their second signing of free agency, agreeing to terms with former Seahawks tight end Will Dissly, according to multiple reports.

In an effort to boost the running game, Los Angeles needs blocking tight ends, which Dissly was during his six-year tenure with Seattle.

He consistently ranked among Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded run-blocking tight ends, most recently finishing as the third-best behind George Kittle and Charlie Woerner this past season.

Dissly, a 2018 fourth-round pick out of Washington, dealt with injuries in his first couple of seasons before becoming a key piece in Seattle’s offense. He started 55 of 62 games from 2020 to 2023.

Throughout his time with the Seahawks, Dissly amassed 127 catches for 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Dissly joins a Chargers tight end room that includes Donald Parham and Stone Smartt.