Browsing espn.com for playoff news, ran across some free-agent news

[tiger7_88]

Free-agent LT on the market at what one would think would be a not-outrageous salary:

 

For the first time in his seven-year career, San Diego Chargers left tackle King Dunlap played a full 16-game season.

 

So it's no surprise 2014 was Dunlap's most productive season in the NFL.  He played 1000 snaps, giving up 3 sacks on 625 pass plays this season according to Pro Football Focus.

 

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said Dunlap belonged in the Pro Bowl.

 

At 29 years old, Dunlap should head into free agency in March as San Diego's top priority this offseason.  Dunlap signed a two-year, $3.95 million contract during the 2013 offseason as a project.  He exceeded expectations by cementing his status as San Diego's left tackle for two seasons.

 

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/9351/locking-up-king-dunlap-in-free-agency-should-be-chargers-top-priority

 

29 years old puts him in his prime, mature years in the NFL.  Just completed a very successful season (according to PFF).  He faced some very good DE/OLB's in the AFC West like Von Miller, Justin Houston and still only gave up 3 sacks. 

 

Sign a guy like this (or some other LT very like him) for a reasonable salary and still draft another OT in the draft to give us even more depth and we wouldn't have to start a rookie at LT (or Bell for another year).

 

Anyone else know any other competent free agent LTs for 2015?  Dunlap is the only one I've heard about so far.

[Mr. Scot]

Signing decent LTs for reasonable salaries didn't happen much last year.

 

Signing mediocre LTs for ridiculously overpaid salaries happened a lot.

 

Makes it hard to be optimistic

[Ricky Spanish]

I would not be against it as long as it's not too much. I think him and Roos will be the best two tackles available in free agency and both have injury concerns that come with them.

 

If we could get either with a cap friendly deal, I'm all for it, especially if we keep Bell as a back-up. For all his faults, Bell would be a damn solid back-up. 

[Carolina Cajun]

I would love to see it, but I'm not expecting it.  I do think someone gets targeted at LT in the offseason, but I don't believe it will be an upper echelon type talent.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

The best thing about having multiple OT's on your team is that Tackles can play the Guard position much easier than Guards can play the Tackle position.  

[CCU Norman]

I think we draft a tackle.

[tiger7_88]

I think we draft a tackle.

 

Yeah, that's why I said

 

and still draft another OT

 

 

in the OP.

[CCU Norman]

Yeah, that's why I said

in the OP.

My bad I have bad eyes. Yeah I'd take him only on a short deal one or 2 years

[panthers55]

Since resigning ought to be a high priority I doubt he makes it to free agency. That is the problem as Mr scot indicated. Few LTs that are good make it to free agency and those that do make a huge payday. Knowing what you do about Gettleman, what are the chances we spend a great deal for a left tackle? For me free agency threads are best done after the season is over and the wave of players being resigned to their old squad already happens. Otherwise we go and on about guys who never end in free agency.

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

roos could be a sleeper

 

if his rehab goes well he could be a gross-like stop gap until a rookie or other young project is ready to take over at LT

[Cyberjag]

I wouldn't be surprised to see us go into next season with Bell back at LT and a couple of rookies backing him up.

[Johnny Rockets]

Something must have clicked with King when he went to San Diego because he is known as one of the best run blockers in the league now. During his days with the Eagles, he seriously was considered one of the worst Oline men in the history of the team.  

 

With his production the last couple of years, he will not come cheap at all and as Mr. Scott mentioned, he will be overpaid by San Diego or someone else for sure. 

[PandaPancake]

For the football retarded, could someone take pity on me and help me out with a few questions?

Jordan Gross, always liked him personally, where on the NFL scale of 1-10 did he fall for how good he was?

Playing this past season who would be considered a dominant left tackle?

In addition to the obvious roles a LT has what else should be used to evaluate one?

[t96]

He'll stay in San Diego on a cheapish 1 year deal to show he can stay healthy and play at that level.