Tag: Chargers UDFA

Where Chargers’ 2024 undrafted free agent class ranks among rest of NFL

Fantasy Pros’ Thor Nystrom isn’t too high on the Chargers’ undrafted free agent class.

The NFL draft is behind us, and most of the talk has been primarily about the nine selections made by general manager Joe Hortiz, while the undrafted free agents that he signed have been swept under the rug a little bit.

The Chargers inked 20 undrafted free agents to a contract after the draft. So how does the haul stack up to the rest of the league?

Fantasy Pros’ Thor Nystrom ranked Los Angeles’ UDFA class, reviewed some of the signees, and then showed how all 32 organizations’ signings compared to one another.

L.A. ranked No. 31, second-worst out of all the teams in the league.

Here is what Nystrom said:

Following a strong draft, the Chargers had a sleepy UDFA process.

HC Jim Harbaugh reunited with Michigan iOL Karsen Barnhart. For the Wolverines, Barnhart got plenty of experience at both guard and tackle. In 2022, he was the starting RT. But for last year’s title team, he was a full-timer with 831, but he ended up making 186 snaps at LT and 194 at RG, with the rest coming at RT. I projected him as an OG, but Barnhart chips in added value as a break-glass-in-case of emergency OT.

FSU S Akeem Dent, at No. 353, was the highest-ranked prospect signed off my pre-draft board. Dent continues the Chargers’ Florida State West bent in the secondary – he’s joining up with former Seminole stars Derwin James and Asante Samuel Jr. If Dent is to make the Week 1 roster, it’s probably through special team work.

TE Zach Heins might be the more intriguing prospect to keep an eye on. Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman load up on tight ends in their 12-personnel, power-run system. Heins is one strong summer away from an NFL job – the opportunity is there.

Despite believing that the Chargers had a solid haul in the draft, Nystrom wasn’t too fond of their undrafted free-agent signings. One of the players he highlighted was safety Akeem Dent, who Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler believes could make the 53-man roster.

Los Angeles has had some success finding diamond-in-the-rough players in the past, so here’s to hoping that trend continues.

Which Chargers UDFA is most likely to make the 53-man roster?

Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler predicts which undrafted free agent will make the Chargers’ 53-man roster.

The Chargers signed 20 free agents after the draft, one of which was former Florida State safety Akeem Dent.

Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler listed every team’s undrafted free agent most likely to make the 53-man roster, and he believes Dent has the best chance.

Here is what Fowler had to say:

The Los Angeles Chargers have always prioritized versatility. Florida State safety Akeem Dent fits that script to a T.

Dent has experience playing at all three levels with varying assignments, and he operates with the physicality and playmaking ability that defensive coordinators covet.

Dent amassed 16 pass breakups during his five-year tenure at Florida State, and he recorded more than 300 snaps in the box, at nickel, outside corner and free safety. That type of versatility often paves the way not only for an NFL roster spot, but actual snaps.

The Chargers addressed multiple positions in free agency and the draft with the exception of the safety group. They did re-sign Alohi Gilman to a two-year deal, but the depth is lacking.

Dent is an experienced player, having appeared in 54 games (40 starts). He is versatile, as he has seen playing time at cornerback, safety and nickel. His explosiveness and physicality would serve well on special teams, too.

Across four seasons, Dent totaled 187 tackles, 16 passes defended, five tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles and an interception.

Tracking the Chargers’ 2024 undrafted free agent signings

Keep up with who the Los Angeles Chargers sign from the undrafted free agency pool.

The 2024 NFL draft has wrapped up, and teams will now begin filling their 90-man offseason rosters. After selecting nine players in the draft, the Chargers will now turn their attention to signing undrafted free agents.

While there’s no guarantee that any of this year’s UDFAs will turn into big contributors, Los Angeles has had an excellent track record of finding hidden gems throughout the years.

We’re going to be tracking all of the team’s college free-agent signings here. So please refresh this page because the list of players will be updated every time we learn of a new signing.

Here is a list of the UDFA’s Los Angeles has signed thus far:

 

 

 

 

2023 NFL draft: Analyzing the Chargers’ UDFA class

The Chargers are hoping to land a hidden gem or two in 2023.

The rookie class doesn’t end with the final selection. In fact, the announcement of Mr. Irrelevant only kicks off a more frenzied event: the undrafted free agent (UDFA) scramble.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Chargers’ rookie free-agent signings.

Chargers sign 18 undrafted free agents after 2023 NFL draft

After drafting seven players, the Los Angeles Chargers signed 18 who went undrafted.

The Chargers wasted little time in filling out their roster after their haul in the 2023 NFL draft, signing 18 undrafted free agents.

Below are the members that Los Angeles signed Saturday night.

EDGE Brevin Allen, Campbell

S Tyler Baker-Williams, North Carolina State

OL Johari Branch, Maryland

CB Cameron Brown, Ohio State

WR Terrell Bynum, USC

DL Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina

RB Elijah Dotson, Northern Colorado

LB Nathan East, Samford

TE Michael Ezeike, UCLA

EDGE Andrew Farmer, Lane College

S AJ Finley, Mississippi

RB Tyler Hoosman, North Dakota

LB Mikel Jones, Syracuse

DL Terrance Lang, Colorado

OT Nicolas Meslop, Delta State

CB Tiawan Mullen, Indiana

CB AJ Uzodinma, Ball State

WR Pokey Wilson, Florida State

Tracking the Chargers’ 2023 undrafted free agent signings

Keep up with who the Los Angeles Chargers sign from the undrafted free agency pool.

The 2023 NFL draft has wrapped up, and teams will now begin filling their 90-man offseason rosters. After selecting seven players in the draft, the Chargers will now turn their attention to signing undrafted free agents.

While there’s no guarantee that any of this year’s UDFAs will turn into big contributors, Los Angeles has had an excellent track record of finding hidden gems throughout the years.

We’re going to be tracking all of the team’s college free-agent signings here. So please refresh this page because the list of players will be updated every time we learn of a new signing.

Here is a list of the UDFA’s Los Angeles has signed thus far:

Where Chargers’ 2021 undrafted free agent class ranks among rest of NFL

The Los Angeles Chargers inked 10 undrafted rookies. How do they fare among the rest of the league?

The NFL draft is behind us, and all of the talks have been primarily surrounding around the nine selections made by general manager Tom Telesco. But left out have been the undrafted free agents that he signed.

The Chargers inked 10 undrafted free agents to a contract after the draft. How does the haul stack up to the rest of the league?

NBC Sports’ Thor Nystrom ranked Los Angeles’ UDFA class and reviewed some of the signees, followed by showing how all 32 organization’s signings stacked up against one another.

L.A. ranked No. 9 in the AFC and 19 out of all the teams in the league.

Here is what Nystrom said:

In 2020, five of the top-nine teams in Rick Gosselin’s NFL special teams rankings made the playoffs. The Chargers finished dead last. The Chargers used UDFA to continue fixing the league’s worst special teams unit, work that’s been going on all offseason. The most overt of those signings were K Alex Kessman and LS Ryan Langan.

The Chargers would love for Kessman to put them to a decision on Michael Badgley, who converted just 24-of-33 field goal attempts last season. Badgley can no longer be trusted deep, which means his time as an NFL kicker is running out — all nine of his misses were from beyond 40 yards.

When firing a coach or breaking up with a girl, you always go for the opposite the next time around, and so it was with the Chargers’ signing of Kessman, whose 12-of-18 hit-rate (66.6%) on 50-plus yard field goals set an NCAA record. Kessman will tango with not only Badgley, but offseason signee Tristan Vizciano. With a new staff, it’s best-man-wins.

LAC’s other signings were made primarily with special teams in mind as well. Oklahoma State LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, the team’s most talented UDFA prospect, took over 500 special teams snaps in college (and made almost 200 tackles overall the past two seasons between his defensive and special teams work). He’s going to make the Chargers for the bump he’ll give the coverage unit alone.

Whereas I think Ogbongbemiga is a special-teamer early who could develop into a starter later, S Ben DeLuca and WR Eli Stove are both strictly special-teams propositions. But if you’re hellbent on improving those units, you mine as well bring in hungry kids willing and able to gun, cover and return.

Lastly, the Chargers weren’t able to address a need for iDL depth in the draft. So they took a couple fliers on Forrest Merrill and Jared Goldwire. Merrill is a squatty ‘80s throwback you ain’t movin’, Goldwire is his counterpoint, a long-limbed, stretched-out 6-foot-5, 293-pounder that tries to keep his distance with length.

I recently put out an article that lists the four undrafted free agents that I believe will make the 53-man roster.

Note: Eli Stove was waived by the Chargers.

Los Angeles has had a good amount of success finding diamond in the rough players, so if some of the players that I mention don’t make it, there is still bound to be a couple that do after their showings in training camp and preseason action.

4 undrafted free agents who could make Chargers 2021 roster

The Los Angeles Chargers have had a great amount of success on bringing in hidden gems that went undrafted.

The Chargers added nine new members throughout the course of the weekend in the 2021 NFL draft. Following the event itself, they notched an additional 10 undrafted free agents who will all be fighting for a spot.

Los Angeles has had a great amount of success on bringing in hidden gems that went undrafted, including safety Adrian Phillips, tight end Antonio Gates and running back Austin Ekeler.

With that, here are four that could see their names on the 53-man roster when the 2021 season rolls around.

 

Tracking the Chargers’ 2021 undrafted free agent signings

Find out which undrafted free agents the Los Angeles Chargers are bringing in.

The 2021 NFL draft has wrapped up and teams will now begin filling their 90-man offseason rosters. After selecting nine players in the draft, the Chargers will now turn their attention to signing undrafted free agents.

While there’s no guarantee that any of this year’s UDFAs will turn into big contributors, Los Angeles has had a great track record of finding hidden gems throughout years.

We’re going to be tracking all of the team’s college free agent signings here. Refresh this page because the list of players will be updated every time we learn of a new signing.

Here is a list of the UDFA’s they have signed thus far:

Chargers’ undrafted free agent who could turn heads at training camp

The Los Angeles Chargers could add more depth along the defensive line.

The Chargers have had a great amount of success when it comes to bringing in hidden gems that went undrafted in the past, including safety Adrian Phillips, tight end Antonio Gates and running back Austin Ekeler, among others.

Who could be the undrafted rookie that steals the show this year? Recently, Bleacher Report’s Chris Roling revealed his top UDFAs that will turn heads in training camp. According to Roling, former Northwestern defensive end Joe Gaziano is going to be the one who will impress.

Roling wrote:

Sometimes an undrafted player’s productivity is just too hard to ignore, and that’s the case with new Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Joe Gaziano.

He spent his college days at Northwestern in the Big Ten and put up 152 total tackles over four seasons, 49 of them for a loss, and posted a superb 30 sacks over the same span.

Which isn’t to say Gaziano will get himself in the lineup next to Joey Bosa in the near future. But he’s got the sort of versatility and motor that will help his efforts stand out, enabling him to stick around in a reserve role for what could be a long time.

In a league where pressuring the quarterback is crucial, you can’t have too many pass-rushers. The Chargers have a dynamic duo with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, but the team can afford to have some ammo behind them.

At 6-foot-4 and 281 pounds, Gaziano is the type of player that Los Angeles would covet – a productive and hard-nosed player who constantly makes his presence known at rushing the passer and defending the run.

Gaziano also has some alignment versatility, possessing the profile to work inside, too. In 52 games at Northwestern, he recorded 153 tackles, including 48.5 tackles for loss, 30 sacks (school leader), 15 passes defensed and eight forced fumbles.