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Looking at the 7 rookies to crack the 2016 Top 101 - Sam Monson
Bosa took a while to get on the field, between contract dispute and then injury, but when he did he looked like one of the league’s most impactful defenders straight out of the box. Bosa was generating pressure at a rate we haven’t seen from a rookie in his first season over the past decade of grading, and ended the season with double-digit sacks and 59 total pressures despite only playing what amounts to 11.5 games.
The five most risk/reward free agents - Michael Renner
With a lackluster free agent crop compared to a season ago and cap space around the league at an all-time high, free agents everywhere are about to get paid. Bidding wars will almost certainly drive up the prices of players who still have lingering question marks around their performance. PFF’s grades have indicated five guys likely to demand top dollar in free agency because of scarcity at the position who are far from sure things at the moment.
Top 25 NFL free agents of 2017 - Sam Monson
Melvin Ingram has developed into the first-round pass-rushing force the Chargers thought he could become, just in time for him to turn the performance into a big-money contract from somebody—whether that’s with the Chargers or on the open market. Ingram finished the year ranked as the sixth-best edge defender in terms of PFF overall grade (88.1)—just behind teammate Joey Bosa, in fifth—recording 72 total QB pressures over the season. He also showed the ability to play in coverage more than most edge rushers, batting away two passes and allowing just 6.8 yards per reception.
8 potential free agents who warrant a franchise tag - Eric Eager
We’re at a point in the offseason where retaining key free agents becomes a trickier proposition with each passing day. One tool that teams have at their disposal is the franchise tag, allowing them to hold onto one of their players each season using a pre-determined one-year contract based on his position and the number of times he’s previously been franchised. Placing the franchise tag on a player has some risk, as failure to subsequently secure a long-term deal can often lead to a player being disgruntled, holding out, or leaving anyway via trade. Below are eight players who should receive the franchise tag if they are not signed to a long-term deal in the next month.
Chargers position outlook 2017: Casey Hayward ready for encore - Eric Williams
The Chargers could use a play-making safety in the back end for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Several mock drafts have the Chargers selecting Ohio State product Malik Hooker with the No. 7 overall pick, and that makes some sense. Addae would be a valuable player to bring back in free agency because of his experience with defensive backs coach Ron Milus. Both Hayward and Verrett fit Bradley’s system, which traditionally calls for tall, rangy corners who can press at the line of scrimmage.