5 Free Agents Who Won't Be Signing with the San Diego Chargers

Fans of the San Diego Chargers will want all the big-name free agents come March, but the reality is: it's not happening.

Sure, GM Tom Telesco will make an effort to bring in top talent, but not every deal works out. Some players chase the money and others simply stay put. San Diego has money to spend this offseason, though, so the chances of landing marque free agents will obviously be better than in years' past.

The following five players will not be Chargers in 2015, either because they're not going anywhere or they're too much of a risk. Free agency can be a rewarding experience and a nightmarish one. Telesco's signing of Brandon Flowers last season was one of the rewarding ones. Derek Cox in 2013, however, was one he'd truly like to forget. 

RB Ray Rice

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Pro Football Talk listed the Chargers as one of six potential landing spots for Rice in late November following his reinstatement to the NFL, but that ship may have sailed by now.

Here's why:

First, Rice just turned 28 in January and hasn't played since August, so it's tough to say whether he's in football shape or not.

Second, he's coming off a 2013 season which saw him average a career-low 3.1 yards per carry, which might indicate he's over the hill in terms of his production. Prior to 2013, Rice had strung together four straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards rushing.

And finally, there's the negative attention San Diego might incur on Rice's behalf. What happened in Atlantic City won't be easily swept under the rug. That sort of issue is going to be hanging around for some time, and some fans may not like the idea of supporting a player with that in his past.

OLB Brian Orakpo

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ESPN.com reporter John Keim has a couple of reasons as to why the Redskins might not pursue Orakpo in free agency, one of them being that GM Scot McCloughan isn't interested in throwing big money at players nearing 30. Orakpo turns 29 in July and took in $11.4 million on a one-year franchise tender last season.

Injuries could also stand in the way of Orakpo getting a new deal from Washington after he suffered a season-ending pectoral tear in Week 7, his second in three seasons. In that brief seven-game span, Orakpo produced 14 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

There's some obvious risk in signing Orakpo with his injury history, but the reward could be great if he stays healthy. Still, I think Telesco lays low here. Some team will make that offer, just not the Chargers. 

WR Randall Cobb

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Cobb would certainly be a valued addition in San Diego, especially if veteran Eddie Royal winds up leaving in free agency. But let's be honest, why would Cobb want to leave a good thing?

The Packers have gone to the postseason six straight years now, and newly crowned MVP Aaron Rodgers doesn't look like he's slowing down anytime soon. Green Bay has some decisions to make in free agency, Cobb being the top priority of course, but how could the team part ways with a young receiver coming off his first Pro Bowl? 

Cobb snagged 91 receptions for over 1,200 yards and totaled 12 touchdowns in his fourth season out of Kentucky. He and Jordy Nelson clearly play to their potential with a quarterback like Rodgers at the helm, and it'll be tough to find another like that if Cobb tests the market. Someway or another, Green Bay will find a way to keep Cobb, even if it means using the franchise tag.

RB DeMarco Murray

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What better way to solve your problems in the running game than by signing the league-leader in rushing a year ago?

If only it were that easy.

At the end of the day, I honestly think Murray stays with the Cowboys. How they keep Dez Bryant and Murray, I have no clue, but they'll make it work. Murray said at the Pro Bowl in Arizona that his decision will not be based solely on money. He wants to play for a team with the best chance to win a Super Bowl, and Dallas nearly got there last season.

On paper, Murray would make the Chargers a contender in the AFC, but it goes back to throwing big money at free agents with a bit of an injury problem. Murray's body took a toll from 392 carries last season, and 2014 was just his first year playing all 16 games. At 26, there's some still left in the tank, but how long that fuel lasts is another question.

OLB Justin Houston

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The reigning sacks leader isn't going anywhere, according to ESPN.com reporter Adam Teicher.

By Teicher's account, Kansas City will find some way to keep Houston a Chief in 2015, whether it's on a long-term contract or the franchise tag. The 26-year-old is fresh off a 22-sack season, four of which came in the season finale against San Diego.

Tamba Hali, the other half of Kansas City's ferocious pass-rushing duo, is set to become a free agent in 2016, making it all the more important to get a deal done with Houston. Any team, the Chargers included, would pounce on the opportunity to lure Houston away from the Chiefs, but I think Teicher has a point. I find it hard to believe that GM John Dorsey would let Houston walk after just missing out on the single-season sacks record.