We haven’t done a post-lockout checklist for the Chargers just yet. When that happens, we’ll have to address the large quantity of expected free agents on the roster.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune has given us a head start on our homework.
Writing about the team’s priorities in a mailbag Monday, Acee wrote that the Chargers intend to re-sign linebacker Kevin Burnett, tackle Jeromey Clary and safety Eric Weddle, but know they will have competition for all three.
We’re a little surprised to hear Burnett in that mix. He and Clary should be relatively easy to keep if the Chargers want them. With so many teams needing a safety, we suspect Weddle will get paid huge bucks elsewhere. (And we think Weddle is worth the dough.)
For role players, Acee writes the team will “make a run” at defensive end Jacques Cesaire and Billy Volek “but that will be contingent on both accepting the money and the role.”
Beyond that, Acee mentions reserve cornerback Dante Hughes as a guy the Chargers would like to keep.
Notably omitted by Acee are free agents like running back Darren Sproles, wide receivers Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee, and linebacker Stephen Cooper. That group sounds likely to leave, with Sproles and Floyd making interesting pickups elsewhere.