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Which Chargers are Free Agents in 2019?

Jan 18, 2019 at 12:38 PM

Ricky Henne

Managing Editor

The Los Angeles Chargers will have to make a decision on 18 players whose contracts will expire. Here is a full list of the team's pending free agents.

Unrestricted Free Agents (14)

Unrestricted Free Agents have completed four or more accrued seasons. An Unrestricted Free Agent is free to sign with any club with no draft choice compensation owed to his old club.

WR Geremy Davis – The former UConn product known for his strong hands appeared in 14 games, largely contributing on special teams. Davis finished the year ranked third on the team with 13 tackles in the kicking game.

LB Kyle Emanuel – The team's fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft had another productive year, playing in all 16 games with seven starts. He totaled 27 tackles on the year with three tackles for loss, and notably scored his first career touchdown in Week 17's win over the Denver Broncos on a fumble recovery.

TE Antonio Gates – A true legend, the greatest tight end in NFL history showed he still had enough left in the tank in 2018. Gates totaled 28 catches on the year for 333 yards and two touchdowns, proving to be a reliable weapon in the red zone and on third down.

P Donnie Jones – The veteran punter joined the Bolts midway through the year, providing stability on field goals after being inserted as the holder. Jones also finished the year with 47 punts, averaging 42.3 yards per attempt while landing 15 inside the 20.

NT Brandon Mebane - An inspirational leader, Mebane has been a defensive captain ever since he joined the Chargers in 2016. The 12-year veteran proved to be a stout presence in the trenches in 2018, starting all 12 games he appeared in.

LB Denzel Perryman – Known for his punishing hits, Perryman led the team in tackles before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 9's win over the Seattle Seahawks. The linebacker finished the year with 64 tackles and a pair of passes defensed in only eight games.

S Adrian Phillips – Dubbed the "heart and soul" of the defense by General Manager Tom Telesco, Phillips proved invaluable while lining up as a linebacker. He started seven games, ranking third on the team with 77 tackles while also recording 12 passes defensed, one interception and a forced fumble. In addition, he was a First Team All-Pro pick and Pro Bowl selection for his prowess on special teams as he led the NFL with 19 tackles in the kicking game.

DT Darius Philon – The 2015 sixth-round pick of the Bolts finished the year ranked fourth on the team with 4.0 sacks. He proved to be a force against both the pass and the run, totaling 50 tackles, eight tackles for loss and five passes defensed in 2018.

LB Hayes Pullard – Pullard joined the team midway through the season, appearing in nine games with the Chargers with most of his action coming on special teams. He totaled 17 tackles on defense while adding another four on special teams.

QB Geno Smith – The veteran was a trusted confidant and sounding board for Philip Rivers during his first year with the Bolts.

NT Damion Square – The versatile and productive veteran not only played every position along the defensive line, he led all Chargers' linemen with a career-high 55 tackles. Square also tied his career high in sacks (3.0). He appeared all 16 games while starting 11 contests.

CB Jason Verrett – It was another heartbreaking year for the former Pro Bowler as he was lost for the season after tearing his Achilles during the team's conditioning run on the first day of training camp.

S Jaylen Watkins – Watkins also missed the entire season, injuring his knee in the preseason after joining the Bolts in free agency.

WR Tyrell Williams – It was another impressive season for the former undrafted free agent as Williams finished with 41 catches for 653 yards and five touchdowns. He led the team with an impressive 15.9 yards per catch, earning rave reviews from Telesco for taking his game to another level.

Restricted Free Agents (1)

Restricted Free Agents are players with three accrued seasons. A Restricted Free Agent may receive a qualifying offer from their previous team, which is a salary tender predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players. If the Restricted Free Agent signs an offer sheet with a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because the qualifying offer entitles it to a "right of first refusal" on any offer sheet the player signs. If the old club does not match the offer, it may receive draft choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer.

CB Trevor Williams – A steady presence at cornerback his first two years in the league, 2018 was pretty much a lost year for Williams as he was hampered throughout the season with an injury suffered in training camp. He appeared in nine games with seven starts before being placed on IR.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (3)

Exclusive Rights Free Agents are players with two years of NFL experience. If their team tenders them with a qualifying offer, the Exclusive Rights Free Agent is not eligible to sign with any other team.

DE Isaac Rochell – A key part of the Chargers' defensive line rotation, the former seventh-round pick ranked third on the team with 5.0 sacks. Rochell appeared in all 16 games while making three starts, finishing with 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four QB hits and one interception.

WR Artavis Scott – The explosive wideout missed the entire season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the final preseason game. Clemson's all-time receiving leader previously spent all of 2017 on the Bolts' practice squad.

C Cole Toner – The 6-5, 310-pound interior lineman was active for the team's first game but was a healthy scratch the rest of the way.