PFF: Chargers ‘can’t afford to lose’ this free agent

PFF named one pending free agent that each team in the NFL “can’t afford” to lose.

Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger revealed one free agent for every team they couldn’t afford to lose and tight end Gerald Everett was their submission for the Chargers.

Here is what Spielberger had to say on why Los Angeles shouldn’t let Everett walk.

The Chargers and their new regime are in for an offseason of major contraction, with so many potential cut or trade candidates. But we’ll get to that later. For now, retaining a solid tight end who has good chemistry with Justin Herbert makes sense.

Everett’s 28 forced missed tackles over the past two seasons are the second most among tight ends, and Herbert was never afraid to look his way in high-leverage moments down in the red zone and on third downs.

Signed two offseasons ago, Everett was a vital piece in the passing game. Everett proved to be reliable with his yards-after-the-catch ability and clutchness on money downs.

Everett finished with career-highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (555) in his first season with the Chargers. This past season, he still managed to surpass the 50-catch mark.

Everett and Justin Herbert had a solid connection the past two seasons, and it’s worth noting that new offensive coordinator Greg Roman uses a heavy dose of tight ends in his scheme.

The only thing that Everett has going against him is that he doesn’t offer much as a blocker, which Roman likes to have in his tight ends.

If the Chargers elect to let Everett walk, they could upgrade the positional room in the draft with someone like Brock Bowers with the No. 5 overall selection and a later pick.

3 Chargers among Pro Football Focus’ top 150 free agents

PFF dropped their top 150 free agents heading into the 2024 offseason and there are three Chargers on the list.

With a new general manager and head coach soon to be brought in, they will quickly have to figure out which pending free agents will be re-signed.

Set to have 20 pending free agents, the Chargers have three players that made Pro Football Focus’ top 150 free agent rankings.

No. 56: RB Austin Ekeler

Even though he surpassed 1,000 total yards on the year, Ekeler had a disappointing 2023 season. He wasn’t efficient on the ground, averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry.

Even though Ekeler will be 29 years old next season, his versatility should still appeal to a handful of NFL teams.

Ekeler pushed for a contract extension and then a trade before the season once it became clear the Chargers didn’t plan to add years to his contract.

The former undrafted free agent has lost some of his top-end speed and acceleration, but he is still shifty over the middle with good start-and-stop ability laterally and a natural pass-catching prowess that rivals any back in the NFL.

No. 83: TE Gerald Everett

The Chargers found a consistent safety net for Justin Herbert to target last year when they acquired Everett in free agency ahead of the 2022 season. He finished with career-highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (555).

While he didn’t top those numbers this past season, Everett was still a reliable target, and his ability to pick up yards after the catch came in handy. A team looking for a pass-catching tight end could use his services.

Everett earned Justin Herbert’s trust on critical downs and in the red zone over the past two seasons and has forced 28 missed tackles since 2022, the second most among tight ends. Everett does well to plant his foot in the ground on his first step after the catch and then bounce off contact, and he consistently shakes out of arm tackles by continuing to drive his feet.

Everett is more of a check-down and tunnel screen outlet, averaging more than five yards after the catch in five consecutive seasons with an average depth of target around just six yards, but he can make the occasional contested catch — which was particularly on display in 2022 when he made eight contested snags.

No. 137: S Alohi Gilman

Gilman became a starter for the first time in his career and took every bit of his opportunities, amassing career-high numbers in tackles (73), interceptions (2) and forced fumbles (3). He was always around the football to make a play and at only 26, Gilman has plenty of good seasons in him.

Chargers 2024 offseason preview: Pending free agents, cap space, team needs, draft picks

Examining the Chargers’ offseason, including team needs, pending free agents, and salary-cap space.

After finishing 5-12, the Chargers are set to enter the offseason. While their focus is bringing in their next head coach, they will quickly have to shift gears and get ready for the roster reconstruction.

Los Angeles is still a couple of months away from the new league frenzy, but it’s not too early to look at what to expect then, starting with 27 players who are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents.

Essang Bassey
Will Clapp
Michael Davis
Austin Ekeler
Alex Erickson
Gerald Everett
Alohi Gilman
Will Grier
Jalen Guyton
Jaylinn Hawkins
Justin Hollins

Austin Johnson

Joshua Kelley

Dean Marlowe

Kenneth Murray, Jr.
Tanner Muse
Easton Stick
Cameron Tom
Nick Vannett
Nick Williams

Cap space

The Chargers are projected to be $44 million over the salary cap in 2024, the second-worst situation in the NFL.

Team needs

Interior defensive line: Brandon Staley made the point to bolster the interior part of the defensive line with the signings of Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson two offseasons ago. Joseph-Day was released after Staley was fired and Johnson will be a free agent. Nick Williams will be, too. That leaves Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia and Scott Matlock. The Chargers need more juice up front with players who can rush the passer and defend the run.

Running back: Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley are set to hit the free agency market, leaving Isaiah Spiller as the primary back on the roster. After having lackluster rushing offenses the past few seasons, the Chargers need to make the point to add at least two backs to improve this positional group, one as a pure runner and the other with a multi-dimensional skill set.

Wide receiver: Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are still on the roster, but given they are slated for cap hits of over $30 million and the Chargers are going to be strapped for cash, they could be dealt to clear up some space. Even if Allen is brought back, he is not getting any younger. Joshua Palmer has shown that he can be a reliable receiver. The jury is still out on Quentin Johnston, who struggled in his rookie season. The bottom line is that Los Angeles still lacks speed and dynamic playmakers at the position.

Tight end: The Chargers needed to upgrade the tight end room last offseason and after failing to do so, they saw how crucial it was they neglected it. While they got some contributions from Gerald Everett in the passing game, Los Angeles didn’t have an impactful blocker, which was detrimental in the running game. Everett is set to be a free agent, leaving Donald Parham and Stone Smartt as the tight ends on the roster. They need a bonafide No. 1.

Secondary: The Chargers finished with the third-worst pass defense during the regular season. Some of the issues were attributed to Staley’s scheme and the others were the players. Michael Davis’ play was up and down. Davis will be a free agent. Asante Samuel Jr. made plays in coverage, but struggled as a run defender. As for the safeties, Derwin James was far from the player we’re used to seeing, often getting beat in coverage. Alohi Gilman was consistent, but he will be a free agent.

Center: The anchor of the Chargers’ offensive line of the past two seasons, Corey Linsley, is likely going to retire due to a heart issue that kept him sidelined for most of 2023. Will Clapp, who started in place of him, is a free agent. Brenden Jaimes got three starts to close out the season when Clapp got hurt and he played well, but they need a true starting center with experience.

Draft picks

The Chargers have the No. 5 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, and they are projected to have seven total picks.

Chargers re-sign CB Kemon Hall

The Chargers brought back a defensive back.

The Chargers re-signed cornerback Kemon Hall on Wednesday.

Hall was undrafted out of North Texas in 2019. He signed with Los Angeles and played with the team through the preseason before going on the practice squad early in the regular season.

After being released by L.A., Hall bounced around the league and spent time with the Vikings, Saints and Cowboys.

Hall was brought back in 2021. In the past two seasons, Hall appeared in 18 games, combining for eight tackles and a fumble recovery. He has primarily been used as a special teamer.

Tracking where Chargers’ free agents signed, who remains unsigned

Here’s a look at those that signed and remain unsigned through the first wave.

The Chargers have been steadily reconstructing their roster by signing Eric Kendricks and returning some of their own from this past season.

There are still some in-house players that either have signed with another team or remain unsigned.

Here’s a look at those that have signed and remain unsigned through the first wave.

S Nasir Adderley

Status: Retired

CB Bryce Callahan

Status: Unsigned

WR Deandre Carter

Status: Unsigned

C Will Clapp

Status: Unsigned

DT Christian Covington

Status: Unsigned

QB Chase Daniel

Status: Unsigned

DT Tyeler Davison

Status: Unsigned

DL Morgan Fox

Status: Re-signed with the Chargers

OT Trey Pipkins

Status: Re-signed with the Chargers

LB Troy Reeder

Status: Signed with the Vikings

TE Richard Rodgers

Status: Unsigned

P J.K. Scott

Status: Re-signed with the Chargers

QB Easton Stick

Status: Re-signed with the Chargers

LB Drue Tranquill

Status: Signed with the Chiefs

LB Kyle Van Noy

Status: Unsigned

AFC West Roundup: Tracking all offseason additions by Chargers’ rivals

Here are the new players joining the Broncos, Chiefs and Raiders.

The Chargers have not been as aggressive as other teams in free agency, prioritizing bringing back their internal players and signing Eric Kendricks.

But what about Los Angeles’ opponents in the AFC West?

Below are the players that are coming in for the three division rivals, the Chiefs, Broncos, and Raiders. We will update this as news continues to come out on the free agency movement.

Chiefs

LB Drue Tranquill

S Mike Edwards

OT Jawaan Taylor

DL Charles Omenihu

Broncos

OT Mike McGlinchey

G Ben Powers

DT Zach Allen

QB Jarrett Stidham

RB Samaje Perine

TE Chris Manhertz

TE Tremon Smith

FB Michael Burton

P Riley Dixon

Raiders

QB Jimmy Garoppolo

WR Jakobi Meyers

S Marcus Epps

LB Robert Spillane

CB Brandon Facyson

LS Jacob Bobenmoyer

WR Phillip Dorsett

WR Cam Sims

EDGE Jordan Willis

TE O.J. Howard

S Jaquan Johnson

Chargers re-sign punter JK Scott

A key member of the Chargers’ special teams will return in 2023.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday that Los Angeles had come to terms with punter JK Scott on a new contract. The deal is worth $4 million over the next two seasons and ensures that the Chargers maintain continuity on special teams. Long snapper Josh Harris and kicker Dustin Hopkins remain under contract and kicker Cameron Dicker was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent.

After spending 2021 mostly out of football before joining the Jaguars late in the season, Scott signed with the Chargers under the recommendation of new special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken. He immediately turned around what had been one of the worst punting units in the league. The Chargers allowed just 66 punt return yards all season with Scott at the helm after allowing 323 in 2021 with Ty Long at punter.

While Scott doesn’t kick the ball far, as evidenced by his paltry 43.6 yards per punt, he kicks it high and prevents returns. Now, he’ll continue to flip the field for the Chargers.

Former Chargers LB Drue Tranquill signs with Chiefs

One of the Chargers’ most important departing free agents is heading to a division rival.

Jordan Schultz reported Friday that linebacker Drue Tranquill signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs. Additional reporting from Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated revealed the deal to be worth $3 million, with incentives to reach up to $5 million.

Tranquill, a 2019 fourth-round pick of the Chargers, enjoyed a career year in 2022, his first as a full-time starter. The Notre Dame product racked up 146 total tackles with 5 sacks, all of which felt like they came at critical moments of games. But Los Angeles and Tranquill could not agree on his market value entering this offseason, and he ultimately decided to test free agency.

In one of the more bizarre linebacker markets of recent years, it seems as though Tranquill didn’t find the kinds of offers he was looking for. The Chargers moved on quickly, signing Eric Kendricks on Monday, leaving Tranquill to pick from the deals he’d been offered by other teams. He reportedly chose the Chiefs over a number of other suitors.

In Kansas City, Tranquill will be used where he’s best: as a coverage linebacker and blitzer. With Nick Bolton, Willie Gay, and Leo Chenal already in the mix at the position, Tranquill’s primary role will likely be disrupting the passing game on third downs. Let’s just hope he takes it easy on his former team.

Chargers re-sign TE Donald Parham Jr.

All three of the Chargers’ primary tight ends will return next season.

On Friday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler broke the news that Donald Parham Jr. had re-signed with the Chargers. Terms of the contract were not immediately available.

Parham became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday after the Chargers elected not to tender him as a restricted free agent by the start of the new league year. He reportedly had interest from the Browns, Bills, and Patriots, the latter of which signed former Dolphin Mike Gesicki on Friday.

Signed out of the XFL in 2020, Parham has struggled with injuries, namely concussions and a recurring hamstring issue, in his time in LA. Last season he was limited to only six games, catching ten passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.

In his three-year Chargers career, he has 40 receptions for 479 yards and seven touchdowns.

5 potential landing spots for Chargers RB Austin Ekeler

Here are a few teams that would make sense for Chargers RB Austin Ekeler.

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler received permission to seek a trade on Tuesday.

If Los Angeles were to deal Ekeler, here are a few teams that could show interest in him.