Bolts From The Blue
These five players could all be in serious consideration for the Chargers as free agency continues on day two.
The Chargers have signed two external free agents this week in cornerback Donte Jackson and running back Najee Harris, both formally of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They’ve also resigned a handful of internal free agents, including edge rusher Khalil Mack and defensive tackle Teair Tart.
There’s plenty more work to be done in building this roster into a better team than it was in 2024 and with plenty of cap space remaining, the Chargers need to be smart and purposeful in their remaining signings to complement what they end up with in this year’s draft.
Below, I wrote up five players I feel could fill a role or need on the Chargers roster, be it big or small.
Let’s dive in.
Even at his advanced age, Zeitler is still one of the best guards in the NFL. He ended the 2024 season with a Pro Football Focus grade of 86.8, good for fifth among all guards. His 87.2 run block grade was also third best. That’s incredible longevity for the 35-year old.
Forget his age, Zeitler is at the top of my actual list of priorities for the Chargers. His signing would push off the idea of a guard in the draft for at least another year and would immediately upgrade a Chargers interior line that was one of the roster’s biggest weaknesses this past season. As a former Raven, it also makes a lot of sense in regards to familiarity with Joe Hortiz.
If the Chargers do not land Zeitler, I really like Hernandez as a Plan B. The 29-year old was playing the best ball of his career in 2024 before a lower-body injury cut his season short.
Prior to being sidelined, Hernandez had posted a PFF grade of 69.3, for for 33rd among guards. That may not seem all that great, but when you consider that Zion Johnson ranked 55th and Trey Pipkins ranked 82nd, you realize just how good of a signing this could be.
And yes, the injury is something to note, but the Chargers recently found success finding good players coming off injuries that helped keep their contracts in a healthy range. The same could be done here with Hernandez.
Right off the bat, this is essentially just a dart throw on a player that’s underwhelmed as a pro but plays an important position who also has familiarity with both head coach John Harbaugh.
Uche started slow in his first two seasons with the Patriots, collecting just four sacks and five tackles for loss. His breakout season came in 2022 when — despite recording zero starts — he put up 11.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. However, his play immediately sunk back to pre-2022 levels as he’s recorded just five sacks and five TFLs over the past two seasons.
The Chargers don’t need...
