The NFL free agency period officially opens at 1:00 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, March 10. That’s when contracts can actually be signed and introductions can be formally made. When that time comes, the Chargers will be one of the teams making a major move.
The Bolts have agreed to a 5-year contract with Broncos offensive lineman Orlando Franklin. It’s believed to be worth around $36 million. Franklin is one of the top free agents on the market this year, and the Chargers were smart to make him a priority.
Here’s why they need help: The 2014 Bolts offensive line was, at best, ineffective and, at worst, horrific. Analytic website ProFootballFocus.com ranked San Diego’s o-line as the 4th-worst in the league last year. Philip Rivers was pummeled like he’s never been before and the Chargers running game was 31st in average yards per attempt. A lot of that has to do with injuries, most notably center Nick Hardwick and guard Jeromey Clary.
Here’s why Franklin is the right guy to provide that help: In 2013, Pro Football Focus ranked Franklin as the number one pass-blocking tackle in the NFL. He was the anchor on the right side of the line that protected Peyton Manning during the most prolific offensive season in league history. Last year, Franklin was asked to move over to left guard (a position he had not played since college) and shore up the interior line. It didn’t take him long to adjust. Orlando was ranked as the 2nd-best pass blocking guard in the game.
Another reason the Chargers were so high on Franklin is his durability. Last season the Bolts used five different offensive line combinations in 2014. In four years with the Broncos, Franklin has missed just one game.
It’s not clear yet if the Chargers see Franklin as their starting right tackle or left guard. Putting him back at tackle allows them to move D.J. Fluker inside to guard, a position General Manager Tom Telesco says Big Fluke could be extremely good at. But, at 6’7” and 320 pounds, putting Franklin inside next to left tackle King Dunlap (6’9”, 330 pounds) and creating a massive wall to run behind is awfully alluring.
