Russell Okung, offensive tackle, Los Angeles Chargers
One year after signing what looked like a big-money deal with the Denver Broncos but was essentially a one-year deal without any guarantees, Russell Okung landed a big payday. The Los Angeles Chargers agreed with the left tackle on a four-year deal that pays $25 million guaranteed.
This isn’t all that surprising considering the premium position Okung plays and that the market for offensive linemen is extremely thin.
But Okung wasn’t all that great last season in Denver, and he has a history of struggling to stay healthy. Throughout his tenure in Seattle with the Seahawks, Okung dealt with multiple lower-body injuries and missed half the 2013 season with a torn ligament in his toe.
If he stays healthy, then there is no doubt Okung will be an upgrade over King Dunlap. But that’s about as optimistic as we’re getting about how he’ll impact Los Angeles’ offensive line. Since 2012, his best season as a pro, he has proved to be just above average. He hasn’t been a dominant player at any point in his career aside from that campaign, and we don’t expect this to change now.