Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report

FA WR DeAndre Carter is signing a 1-year deal with #Raiders up to
$2.375M, source tells @theScore

Carter comes off his best season, totaling 46/538/3 with #Chargers. He
also ranked second in the NFL with 11.7 yards per punt return. More help
on the way for Jimmy Garoppolo.

11:02 PM · Mar 28, 2023

https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1640912355948371972

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 10:01:32 AM UTC-7, Robin Miller wrote:
> Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report
>
> FA WR DeAndre Carter is signing a 1-year deal with #Raiders up to
> $2.375M, source tells @theScore
>
> Carter comes off his best season, totaling 46/538/3 with #Chargers. He
> also ranked second in the NFL with 11.7 yards per punt return. More help
> on the way for Jimmy Garoppolo.
>
> 11:02 PM · Mar 28, 2023
>
>
> https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1640912355948371972

I think it's absolutely mandatory they draft a wideout in round 1 or 2. The lack of depth is scary especially given that both Allen and Williams missed significant time last year.

Michael

> > https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1640912355948371972
> I think it's absolutely mandatory they draft a wideout in round 1 or 2. The lack of depth is scary especially given that both Allen and Williams missed significant time last year.
>
> Michael

I think Carter outplayed expectations but that still wasn't enough for him to stay.

On Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 3:44:05 PM UTC-7, ReneG wrote:
> > > https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1640912355948371972
> > I think it's absolutely mandatory they draft a wideout in round 1 or 2. The lack of depth is scary especially given that both Allen and Williams missed significant time last year.
> >
> > Michael
> I think Carter outplayed expectations but that still wasn't enough for him to stay.

Yeah I wasn't trying to suggest they should have gone all out to keep him or anything like that, but they are super thin right now at the position.

Michael

On Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 10:47:15 PM UTC-7, phlash74 wrote:
> On Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 3:44:05 PM UTC-7, ReneG wrote:
> > > > https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1640912355948371972
> > > I think it's absolutely mandatory they draft a wideout in round 1 or 2. The lack of depth is scary especially given that both Allen and Williams missed significant time last year.
> > >
> > > Michael
> > I think Carter outplayed expectations but that still wasn't enough for him to stay.
> Yeah I wasn't trying to suggest they should have gone all out to keep him or anything like that, but they are super thin right now at the position.
>
> Michael

Palmer seemed to do better as he grew into the starting position while Williams and Allen were hurt.

phlash74 wrote:
> On Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 3:44:05 PM UTC-7, ReneG wrote:
>>>> https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1640912355948371972
>>> I think it's absolutely mandatory they draft a wideout in round 1 or 2. The lack of depth is scary especially given that both Allen and Williams missed significant time last year.
>>>
>>> Michael
>> I think Carter outplayed expectations but that still wasn't enough for him to stay.
>
> Yeah I wasn't trying to suggest they should have gone all out to keep him or anything like that, but they are super thin right now at the position.
>
> Michael
>

I was disappointed they didn't bring Carter back, but I guess they
couldn't afford to spend $2M at that position.

That said, the Chargers are currently far from a complete team, and are
not at all a Super Bowl contender. They are missing a starting FS, WR4,
WR5, PR, KR, Edge3, RB2, possibly RB1 if Ekeler leaves [fortunately
that's looking unlikely], DL depth, OL depth. I don't know why they
haven't signed FS John Johnson and Van Noy, who was a catalyst last
season in getting the defense together later in the season.

At this point the Chargers have a good set of starters (except for FS--I
like Gilman but not as a starter) but their depth is severely lacking.

They are going to have to hit on almost all of their draft picks.

And they still have $15M in cap space:

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/los-angeles-chargers

They'll need $3M to cover the additional cost of draft picks and $5M
(say) for the in-season kitty. That leaves $7M available to spend now to
improve the team. Maybe they want to wait until after the draft (April
27-29) at this point.

It is true that pretty much all of the teams have stopped signing free
agents at this point.

--Robin

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 9:09:23 AM UTC-7, Robin Miller wrote:
> phlash74 wrote:
> > On Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 3:44:05 PM UTC-7, ReneG wrote:
> >>>> https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1640912355948371972
> >>> I think it's absolutely mandatory they draft a wideout in round 1 or 2. The lack of depth is scary especially given that both Allen and Williams missed significant time last year.
> >>>
> >>> Michael
> >> I think Carter outplayed expectations but that still wasn't enough for him to stay.
> >
> > Yeah I wasn't trying to suggest they should have gone all out to keep him or anything like that, but they are super thin right now at the position..
> >
> > Michael
> >
> I was disappointed they didn't bring Carter back, but I guess they
> couldn't afford to spend $2M at that position.
>
> That said, the Chargers are currently far from a complete team, and are
> not at all a Super Bowl contender. They are missing a starting FS, WR4,
> WR5, PR, KR, Edge3, RB2, possibly RB1 if Ekeler leaves [fortunately
> that's looking unlikely], DL depth, OL depth. I don't know why they
> haven't signed FS John Johnson and Van Noy, who was a catalyst last
> season in getting the defense together later in the season.
>
> At this point the Chargers have a good set of starters (except for FS--I
> like Gilman but not as a starter) but their depth is severely lacking.
>
> They are going to have to hit on almost all of their draft picks.
>
> And they still have $15M in cap space:
>
> https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/los-angeles-chargers
>
> They'll need $3M to cover the additional cost of draft picks and $5M
> (say) for the in-season kitty. That leaves $7M available to spend now to
> improve the team. Maybe they want to wait until after the draft (April
> 27-29) at this point.
>
> It is true that pretty much all of the teams have stopped signing free
> agents at this point.
>
> --Robin

Heard something interesting on the radio the other day - the reason free agency starts before the draft is because the owners wanted it to be limited from the get-go. Most teams might sign one or two of their top targets and then wait to see the post draft cuts to decide who else they want to sign on the cheap. Last year the Chargers signed Bryce Callahan, Kyle Van Noy and Morgan Fox all in May, after trading for Khalil Mack and signing Gerald Everett, JC Jackson and Sebastian Joseph-Day before the draft in March.

I do agree the depth, particularly along the lines, is a serious concern. And I am puzzled why they haven't signed Johnson, early indications were that would happen as soon as teams were allowed to sign free agents.

Michael

phlash74 wrote:
> On Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 9:09:23 AM UTC-7, Robin Miller wrote:
>> phlash74 wrote:
>>> On Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 3:44:05 PM UTC-7, ReneG wrote:
>>>>>> https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1640912355948371972
>>>>> I think it's absolutely mandatory they draft a wideout in round 1 or 2. The lack of depth is scary especially given that both Allen and Williams missed significant time last year.
>>>>>
>>>>> Michael
>>>> I think Carter outplayed expectations but that still wasn't enough for him to stay.
>>>
>>> Yeah I wasn't trying to suggest they should have gone all out to keep him or anything like that, but they are super thin right now at the position.
>>>
>>> Michael
>>>
>> I was disappointed they didn't bring Carter back, but I guess they
>> couldn't afford to spend $2M at that position.
>>
>> That said, the Chargers are currently far from a complete team, and are
>> not at all a Super Bowl contender. They are missing a starting FS, WR4,
>> WR5, PR, KR, Edge3, RB2, possibly RB1 if Ekeler leaves [fortunately
>> that's looking unlikely], DL depth, OL depth. I don't know why they
>> haven't signed FS John Johnson and Van Noy, who was a catalyst last
>> season in getting the defense together later in the season.
>>
>> At this point the Chargers have a good set of starters (except for FS--I
>> like Gilman but not as a starter) but their depth is severely lacking.
>>
>> They are going to have to hit on almost all of their draft picks.
>>
>> And they still have $15M in cap space:
>>
>> https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/los-angeles-chargers
>>
>> They'll need $3M to cover the additional cost of draft picks and $5M
>> (say) for the in-season kitty. That leaves $7M available to spend now to
>> improve the team. Maybe they want to wait until after the draft (April
>> 27-29) at this point.
>>
>> It is true that pretty much all of the teams have stopped signing free
>> agents at this point.
>>
>> --Robin
>
> Heard something interesting on the radio the other day - the reason free agency starts before the draft is because the owners wanted it to be limited from the get-go. Most teams might sign one or two of their top targets and then wait to see the post draft cuts to decide who else they want to sign on the cheap. Last year the Chargers signed Bryce Callahan, Kyle Van Noy and Morgan Fox all in May, after trading for Khalil Mack and signing Gerald Everett, JC Jackson and Sebastian Joseph-Day before the draft in March.
>
> I do agree the depth, particularly along the lines, is a serious concern. And I am puzzled why they haven't signed Johnson, early indications were that would happen as soon as teams were allowed to sign free agents.
>
> Michael
>

Thanks for the info, Michael. I feel better knowing that they signed
some very important players after the draft last season.

Interesting about the draft. It certainly makes sense that the owners
would want to limit free agency.

And I do wonder what the deal is with Johnson. He is certainly
interested in the Chargers. Are they interested in him? I just checked,
and he hasn't been signed by anyone yet.

And Van Noy seems to be openly campaigning to return. I expect the
Chargers to draft an edge rusher early, but there's still room for Van
Noy, especially as Rumph hasn't really proven anything yet. And Van Noy
can play both inside and out, so he's versatile.

--Robin

Robin Miller wrote:
> phlash74 wrote:
>> On Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 9:09:23 AM UTC-7, Robin Miller wrote:
>>> phlash74 wrote:
>>>> On Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 3:44:05 PM UTC-7, ReneG wrote:
>>>>>>> https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1640912355948371972
>>>>>> I think it's absolutely mandatory they draft a wideout in round 1
>>>>>> or 2. The lack of depth is scary especially given that both Allen
>>>>>> and Williams missed significant time last year.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Michael
>>>>> I think Carter outplayed expectations but that still wasn't enough
>>>>> for him to stay.
>>>>
>>>> Yeah I wasn't trying to suggest they should have gone all out to
>>>> keep him or anything like that, but they are super thin right now at
>>>> the position.
>>>>
>>>> Michael
>>>>
>>> I was disappointed they didn't bring Carter back, but I guess they
>>> couldn't afford to spend $2M at that position.
>>>
>>> That said, the Chargers are currently far from a complete team, and are
>>> not at all a Super Bowl contender. They are missing a starting FS, WR4,
>>> WR5, PR, KR, Edge3, RB2, possibly RB1 if Ekeler leaves [fortunately
>>> that's looking unlikely], DL depth, OL depth. I don't know why they
>>> haven't signed FS John Johnson and Van Noy, who was a catalyst last
>>> season in getting the defense together later in the season.
>>>
>>> At this point the Chargers have a good set of starters (except for FS--I
>>> like Gilman but not as a starter) but their depth is severely lacking.
>>>
>>> They are going to have to hit on almost all of their draft picks.
>>>
>>> And they still have $15M in cap space:
>>>
>>> https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/los-angeles-chargers
>>>
>>> They'll need $3M to cover the additional cost of draft picks and $5M
>>> (say) for the in-season kitty. That leaves $7M available to spend now to
>>> improve the team. Maybe they want to wait until after the draft (April
>>> 27-29) at this point.
>>>
>>> It is true that pretty much all of the teams have stopped signing free
>>> agents at this point.
>>>
>>> --Robin
>>
>> Heard something interesting on the radio the other day - the reason
>> free agency starts before the draft is because the owners wanted it to
>> be limited from the get-go. Most teams might sign one or two of their
>> top targets and then wait to see the post draft cuts to decide who
>> else they want to sign on the cheap. Last year the Chargers signed
>> Bryce Callahan, Kyle Van Noy and Morgan Fox all in May, after trading
>> for Khalil Mack and signing Gerald Everett, JC Jackson and Sebastian
>> Joseph-Day before the draft in March.
>>
>> I do agree the depth, particularly along the lines, is a serious
>> concern. And I am puzzled why they haven't signed Johnson, early
>> indications were that would happen as soon as teams were allowed to
>> sign free agents.
>>
>> Michael
>>
>
>
> Thanks for the info, Michael. I feel better knowing that they signed
> some very important players after the draft last season.
>
> Interesting about the draft. It certainly makes sense that the owners
> would want to limit free agency.
>
> And I do wonder what the deal is with Johnson. He is certainly
> interested in the Chargers. Are they interested in him? I just checked,
> and he hasn't been signed by anyone yet.
>
> And Van Noy seems to be openly campaigning to return. I expect the
> Chargers to draft an edge rusher early, but there's still room for Van
> Noy, especially as Rumph hasn't really proven anything yet. And Van Noy
> can play both inside and out, so he's versatile.
>
> --Robin
>

From The Athletic today, a capsule on each team's status after the
beginning of free agency:

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers sounded thrilled to add linebacker Eric Kendricks from the
Vikings even if it meant losing Drue Tranquill to the Chiefs. Should
they sound that way?

“It’s Groundhog Day,” one exec said. “Eric Kendricks is three years
older than Drue Tranquill and has a lot more mileage on him. If
Kendricks misses five games in his age-31 season, are we going to hear
about more bad injury luck for the Chargers?”

Kendricks played in every game for the Vikings last season. He is
reunited in Los Angeles with new Chargers linebackers coach Jeff Howard,
who was a defensive assistant in Minnesota for Kendricks’ first five
seasons, including when Kendricks earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019.

The fit should be good for a team that is desperate to realize
short-term results, especially on defense, where the team ranks 28th in
EPA over the past two seasons.

“With the Justin Herbert extension looming, this is their window before
they are going to have to bet on some younger players and bet on their
quarterback to elevate the performance of a lesser supporting cast,”
another exec said.

Even with Herbert still on his rookie deal, the Chargers found
themselves scrambling to comply with the salary cap. The restructured
contracts for Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams to
such an extent that each has a 2024 cap figure higher than $30 million.

“It is hard to imagine a team being that leveraged when they are
probably the fifth- or sixth-best team in the conference, they haven’t
won a playoff game in four years and they just lost to the Jags,” an
exec said.

--Robin