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With the Denver Broncos entering this period before free agency as quiet as a mouse, the San Diego Chargers have begun making waves with interest in multiple big name free agents. With the Kansas City Chiefs in salary cap hell, the Chargers have a chance to close the talent gap and challenge the Peyton Manning led Broncos for AFC West supremacy.
As we reported earlier today, the Chargers have become instant contenders for the Ndamukong Suh sweepstakes.
Intriguing team preparing to make a run at #Lions DT Ndamukong Suh: The #Chargers. Wow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2015
If you are wondering where the cap room is coming from, the Chargers are letting a lot of people hit the streets. It doesn't appear that they are anxious to resign any of their free agents, which has put their overall cap space above $30,000,000. They are by no means hamstrung right now by dollars.
The Suh move has generated mixed reactions here, but the next two rumors tied to the Chargers should give all of us pause. The first could very well be their version of the Louis Vasquez signing John Elway made a couple of years ago.
According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Chargers are expected to pursue former San Francisco 49ers offensive guard, Mike Iupati. Iupati is a fan favorite in these parts, so that kind of deal would likely disappoint many of us Broncos fans.
From Rotoworld, we get some extra nuggets of information:
A source tells U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlken the Chargers will take a run at free agent G Mike Iupati.
After going through five centers and suffering through terrible guard play in 2014, the Chargers are rightfully looking to upgrade their interior line. Iupati would certainly be an upgrade, though he would be a questionable fit in the Chargers' primarily zone-blocking scheme. Iupati has also been linked with the Redskins.
Gehlken also dropped the name Randall Cobb as well, which paired with Jacoby Jones. whom the Chargers signed on Friday, could represent some serious offensive firepower for Philip Rivers and the Chargers to keep pace with Peyton Manning and the Broncos.
Also from Rotoworld:
U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlken reports the Chargers are interested in free agent WR Randall Cobb.
This link makes sense. Cobb would be a big upgrade over the departing Eddie Royal in the slot and a great fit in the Chargers' quick-hitting offense. The competition for Cobb will be tough, however, and teams with more cap space than the Chargers could offer Cobb the $11 million per season he is seeking. Cobb is Rotoworld's No. 1 available wide receiver.
All of this looks interesting, but will they be able to follow through to pick up all three of these free agents? I'm going to say no, but one out of three is certainly within the realm of possibility.