Bud Dupree

Career StatsC

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		152	349	61.0	2
2025		16	16	2.0	0
2024		17	28	6.0	1
2023		16

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Salary-cap math on Bud Dupree's contract works out to a C- Contract Value Index given the dead-cap exposure and term. A $6M AAV commitment to a 33-year-old linebacker with a C performance grade is defensible depth spending, but it lacks upside — the 2025 season saw him log 16 tackles and 2 sacks across 16 games, production that slots him firmly in the reliable-veteran-contributor tier rather than impact-edge-rusher territory. At this market rate, you're paying for 11 years of NFL experience and 61 career sacks, not for a player who moves the needle in your pass-rush hierarchy; the Chargers are essentially buying stability and consistency, which is a reasonable use of mid-tier cap allocation but not a steal. His one-year deal keeps the financial exposure manageable and gives the organization flexibility to pivot if performance dips further or cap priorities shift, though at his age and production level, re-signing him annually carries diminishing returns. The B- sentiment grade aligns with his standing as an unheralded, steady contributor who operates without the cachet of elite edge rushers — he's the kind of player who does his job quietly and rarely generates headlines, which is fine for a depth piece but reflects his marginal leverage in contract negotiations. The recent Chargers activity around safety and receiver spots suggests the front office is managing multiple roster priorities, and Dupree's role is unlikely to expand meaningfully in 2026.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Bud's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Tape review and box-score baselines converge on a C performance grade for Bud Dupree. At 33 years old with 11 seasons logged since his 2015 first-round selection, he's an established veteran operating squarely in the solid-starter tier—reliable and durable but no longer a marquee impact player at his position. His 2025 season output of 16 tackles and 2 sacks across 16 games reflects his current production ceiling: a full-season contributor whose box-score presence is modest and whose pass-rush impact has diminished from his peak earning years. The consistency angle is his calling card—he played every game and remained injury-free, which matters for depth rotation and locker-room stability—but two sacks over a full slate represents decidedly below-average edge efficiency, the kind of numbers that define a complementary piece rather than a defensive anchor. His $6M annual contract and steady, uncontroversial media perception align with this assessment: the Chargers view him as competent depth with veteran credibility, someone who performs his assignment without fanfare or defensive splash plays. At this career stage, Dupree's value lies in experience and reliability rather than uplift potential, making him precisely the kind of established veteran who transitions to a backup role or departure once younger options prove capable of handling the workload.

How Bud Compares at the Position

Bud Dupree ranks 140th of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Bud between Marte Mapu (C) just ahead and Keonta Jenkins (C) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Bud Dupree carries a B- sentiment grade that reflects his standing as a steady, unheralded veteran in the NFL landscape. At 11 years in the league with 61 career sacks, the Chargers linebacker operates in that middle tier of pass rushers — respected for his consistency but lacking the star power that drives major media narratives. His $6M AAV contract positions him as solid value depth rather than a marquee defensive piece, which aligns with the relatively quiet media treatment he receives. The absence of recent headlines around Dupree suggests he's viewed as a reliable, low-maintenance contributor who does his job without controversy or spectacular production spikes. While his resume shows above-average career longevity and respectable sack totals, he's clearly seen as a complementary player rather than a difference-maker at this stage of his career. The perception appears to be that of a competent veteran whose value lies in experience and consistency rather than elite impact potential.