The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off a loss in extremely disappointing fashion against the New York Giants. A major cog in this loss is the loss of All-Pro caliber left tackle, Joe Alt.
A loss to a bad team is one thing, but losing your All-Pro caliber OT for multiple games is another. Especially considering this team has already had its fair share of injuries and replacements. The Chargers brought in a plethora of free agent linemen for tryouts. The guy who “won” the tryout to be the Chargers’ offensive line addition was long-time veteran lineman Michael Dunn.
Are The Chargers’ Newest Additions Enough?
Knowing the context of who Michael Dunn is is the first part of answering this question. Dunn was first with the Los Angeles Rams in 2017 as an UDFA from Maryland, where he spent time on the practice squad, then moved to other practice squads up until 2020, where he finally cracked the Browns roster.
Dunn spent five years in Cleveland, where he was a spot starter and a rotational sixth offensive lineman in certain packages. His play in Cleveland was quite impressive, considering his start to his NFL career. He is now with the Chargers as their newest offensive line addition.
Michael Dunn, The Newest Chargers Offensive Line Addition Career Statistics:
- 701 snaps
- Average Grades: Offense: 62.0, Run Block: 65.7, Pass Block: 55.2
- Pressures Allowed: 19 total (5 sacks, 3 hits, 11 hurries)
- Efficiency: 96.6
- Penalties: 6
- Positions Played (in snaps): 3 at LT, 380 at LG, 57 at C, 91 at RG, 1 at RT, and 169 in-line TE
The versatility that Dunn possesses gives the Chargers’ offensive line flexibility to move players into more natural spots; however, last season, his play was the worst it has ever been. A cause for concern for the Bolts, but a good move in the right direction to create an improved offensive line after the loss of Joe Alt.
Michael Dunn snatch trap! pic.twitter.com/4gz7TmLrlX
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) August 12, 2023
Update: Chargers Offensive Line Had Another Addition
The Chargers’ offensive line got one more body on the practice squad, Bobby Hart. The former seventh-round selection started his career in New York with the Giants, where he started 21 games, which earned him three years as the unquestioned starter for the Bengals amongst the offensive line.
After those two teams gave him years of starting experience, Hart bounced around different teams, eventually finding himself with the Chargers in 2025. He has not been active in an NFL game since 2022.
mixon’s first run features… bobby hart teaching tape? this is perfect slingshot technique and a testament to how easy mixon can bend back zone runs pic.twitter.com/LKv5dSAbRc
— John Sheeran (@John__Sheeran) October 15, 2018
Note: It was VERY difficult to find a positive clip of Bobby Hart on Twitter.
Bobby Hart, Chargers Offensive Line Addition Career Statistics:
- 4,726 snaps
- Average Grades: Offense: 53.6, Run Block: 53.9, Pass Block: 53.6
- Pressures Allowed: 221 total (31 sacks, 33 hits, 157 hurries)
- Efficiency: 95.6
- Penalties: 34 (5 declined/offsetting)
- Positions Played (in snaps): 107 at LT, 22 at LG, 53 at C, 4,432 at RT, and 110 in-line TE
Hart and Dunn both possess veteran leadership and versatility that can greatly help the depth across this offensive line. The Chargers have not been afraid to move guys around, even in the middle of the season. The versatility can get the Chargers’ “best five” out on the field while Joe Alt heals from his injury.
The question, “Are these newest offensive line additions enough to replace Joe Alt?” can be answered in short. No. Replacing Alt is nearly impossible and would take a blockbuster trade to do so. With this injury only allowing him to miss 3-4 games, the Chargers did do enough to reinforce the depth to hopefully survive the portion of the season without their starting tackles.
Main Image: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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