Chargers To Sign Orlando Franklin: Grades and Analysis
By Erik Lambert
Anybody who watched the final game of the season saw the same thing: San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers under siege by a relentless Chiefs pass rush. Protecting him has to be their top priority going into 2015 and that was made clear when word broke that the team has reached an agreement with top free agent lineman Orlando Franklin.
Orlando Franklin's deal with the #Chargers is unofficially done, via U-T San Diego.
— Carmine Carcieri (@chinstrapcar) March 8, 2015
This is a big development for them. Franklin was among the better guards in the league in 2014, posting a respectable +12.0 rating according to Pro Football Focus. Plugging him on the interior would be a major help to right tackle D.J. Fluker, or the Chargers could even decide to flip the two, moving Fluker to guard and Franklin to right tackle where he has played before. Either way, San Diego achieved one of their big objectives of NFL free agency which was ensuring the safety of their quarterback.
Grade: A
The deal hasn’t gone through yet but things look all but wrapped up. This is another key move for a team that is on the fringe of being a serious playoff contender. Franklin gives them loads of flexibility moving forward, especially if they can get more help between now and the draft. They needed a top guy and they got him.
We’ll update this story when the contract details become official via a report.
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