Heading into free agency and the NFL draft, the Los Angeles Chargers revealed a strategic, but risky plan that would potentially make or break their season.
They had a lot of holes to fill with 26 players from last year’s roster hitting the open market, but they made it their mission not to overpay and shy away from high-profile players.
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For the draft, general manager Joe Hortiz expressed his desire to select the best player available as opposed to hunting a specific position.
All these comments and signals concerned Chargers fans who believed that the team may be getting complacent.
However, a recent comment from head coach Jim Harbaugh should quell those fears.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh answers questions during the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers.© Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
As is customary, the Chargers brass gathered for a press conference to discuss how they thought the draft went.
During this media availability, Harbaugh made it known that the team was seriously mulling a rare aggressive move.
The former Michigan coach shockingly admitted, “Joe and I both were sitting on some pins wanting to trade up.”
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It is unclear who the player is that the team so desperately wanted, but it seems that they ended up getting their guy anyway.
It likely wasn’t their first-round selection Omarion Hampton because Los Angeles has been over the moon about the selection.
It may have been Jamaree Caldwell who the team selected in the third round because he had shot up draft boards over the past few months.
The former Oregon Ducks defensive tackle is a man who proved to be a dominant pass rusher at certain points throughout his collegiate career.
Any dominant big man you can find up the middle is extremely valuable, so there could be a world where teams were desperate to get their hands on him.
Whoever the mystery man was, Los Angeles seems to be overjoyed now with how their draft went.
Related: Chargers Earn Elite Draft Grade After Selecting Omarion Hampton in First Round