Tag: Corey Linsley Chargers

Chargers’ Corey Linsley among ESPN’s biggest offseason upgrades

Signing the All-Pro center was the Los Angeles Chargers’ best move of the offseason.

Among the plethora of offseason acquisitions made by the Chargers, arguably the best one was signing All-Pro center Corey Linsley.

ESPN’s Mike Clay recently graded the 25 biggest veteran position upgrades during the 2021 offseason and Linsley landed at No. 4 on the list.

Offensive line has been a problem for the Chargers for quite a while, but the franchise made big improvements during the offseason by signing one of the league’s best centers in Linsley and drafting tackle Rashawn Slater in the first round. Linsley is the focus here, of course, as he’s a known commodity.

The former Packers star ranked sixth in pass block win rate and first in run block win rate among centers last season. He also graded out as the best center in the NFL at PFF. Feeney, meanwhile, had the worst PFF grade among non-rookie centers, and the 2017 third-round pick is now with the Jets.

After having some of the worst production at the position last season from Dan Feeney, Los Angeles now has the cream of the crop with Linsley.

Named first-team All-Pro and rated Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 center from 2020, Linsley didn’t allow a sack or a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage vs. the run. He allowed just four total pressures last season on 437 pass-blocking snaps — the lowest pressure total in the NFL.

L.A. now has a dependable and consistent presence to anchor their offensive line. Linsley made quarterback Aaron Rodgers very happy during his time Green Bay, and he’ll now do the same for QB Justin Herbert.

2021 Free Agency: Chargers could make splash by signing Corey Linsley

The All-Pro center would be a massive addition to the Chargers offensive line.

The Chargers’ main priority this offseason will be to address the dreadful offensive line.

General manager Tom Telesco is well aware of it and he would be wise to be aggressive during the free agency period to acquire players that have proven themselves at a high level.

Packers center Corey Linsley would be a massive signing that would have the arrow pointing upwards for the unit. Linsley is not expected to be re-signed by Green Bay, according to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Hubert.

Voted first-team All-Pro and rated Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 center from 2020, Linsley didn’t allow a sack or a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage vs. the run, according to Sports Info Solutions.

To go along with that, among centers with at least 500 snaps, he had the third-lowest blown-block rate at 0.6 percent. He’s disciplined on the field, too, as he wasn’t penalized.

Linsley is also a strong run-blocker, ranking in the 84th percentile in the percentage of positively graded blocks and the 85th percentile when it comes to avoiding negatives, per Pro Football Focus.

Not only is he a great player, he’s an even better person. Linsley was the team’s nominee for prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

With Dan Feeney set to be free agent, it creates a glaring hole at center. I’ve said before, even if Feeney is re-signed, he could serve as a key depth option at both guard and center.

With a projected $34 million in cap space and more possibly coming depending on potential cuts, L.A. would be sitting pretty to acquire the 29-year old. Linsley would then reunite with his former teammate, Bryan Bulaga.