The Sideline View's Adam Caplan reports the team is planning to use the low ("original-round") tender on the 24-year-old Danario Alexander. We don't often mull restricted free agents because very few are pursued, but Alexander stands to draw considerable interest if the low tag is applied.
The original-round tender would allow the Chargers to match any offer floated Alexander's way, but if they choose not to match, they'll receive nothing in return, because Alexander went undrafted. This is surprising because earlier reports suggested the Chargers might use their first-round tender on Alexander, which would all but guarantee he'd be back.
Alexander, despite a history of knee surgeries, turned it on for the Chargers last season, pulling down 37 catches for 658 yards and seven touchdowns in nine games.
The Chargers found something in Alexander, who simply had not been able to stay healthy in his three-year career. In his final nine games, Alexander averaged 4.1-73-.78 (#6 WR numbers), so if his knees hold up, he'll represent significant value in the middle rounds. The Chargers are betting that no other team is willing to give the WR a big contract due to his injury history.
