Breaking Down the San Diego Chargers Depth Chart After the Peak of Free Agency

The San Diego Chargers got a bit younger during free agency, but the core of the team remains the same. The few changes, however, did alter the depth chart heading into the 2013 season.

GM Tom Telesco chose to give his new team a face-lift without the expensive price tag, electing to release veterans in favor of younger, cheaper players. The signings that San Diego made didn't make headlines, but it does help the team moving forward with its rebuilding process.

Here is what San Diego's depth chart is looking like after the peak of free agency.

Quarterback

No. 1: Philip Rivers

No. 2: Charlie Whitehurst

No changes were made at the quarterback position despite back-to-back seasons of poor play from Philip Rivers. Head coach Mike McCoy has made it clear he's determined to fix Rivers and return him to Pro Bowl form.

With a new coaching staff taking over and possibly an improved offensive line in place, Rivers will attempt to erase two seasons riddled with career highs in interceptions and sacks.

Running Back/Fullback

Running Back

No. 1: Ryan Mathews

No. 2: Danny Woodhead

No. 3: Ronnie Brown

No. 4: Edwin Baker

No. 5: Fozzy Whittaker

Fullback

No. 1: Le'Ron McClain

The addition of ex-New England Patriot Danny Woodhead was arguably San Diego's biggest pickup in free agency. The do-it-all running back gives the Chargers a receiving threat out of the backfield and a fitting alternate to the injury-prone Ryan Mathews.

Veteran back Ronnie Brown was re-signed to provide depth as well. The 31-year-old will not be featured as heavily as he was last season, but he too is a versatile option as a pass-catcher and rusher.

Wide Receiver

No. 1: Malcom Floyd

No. 2: Danario Alexander

No. 3: Eddie Royal

No. 4: Vincent Brown

No. 5: Robert Meachem

No. 6: Richard Goodman

No. 7: Mike Willie

If San Diego can retain restricted free agent Danario Alexander, then the receivers unit looks like one of the best in the AFC West on paper. Vincent Brown returns from his season-ending ankle injury, so it will be interesting to see what he can do healthy in a full year.

Richard Goodman was the only addition from free agency, re-signing to handle the team's return duties.

Tight End

No. 1: Antonio Gates

No. 2: John Phillips

No. 3: Ladarius Green

It was out with the old and in with the new in regard to the tight end position for San Diego. The depth chart looks extremely similar, with the exception of veteran Randy McMichael getting the boot.

Instead, former Dallas Cowboy John Phillips assumes the role of backup behind Antonio Gates. The younger Phillips will handle the bulk of blocking assignments that McMichael leaves behind.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

No. 1: Jared Gaither

No. 2: Michael Harris

No. 3: Brandyn Dombrowski

Left Guard

No. 1: Rich Ohrnberger

No. 2: Johnnie Troutman

Center

No. 1: Nick Hardwick

No. 2: Colin Baxter

No. 3: David Molk

Right Guard

No. 1: Chad Rinehart

No. 2: Steve Schilling

Right Tackle

No. 1: King Dunlap

No. 2: Jeromey Clary

No. 3: Kevin Haslam

Telesco didn't make a splash in free agency with a Jake Long or Andy Levitre signing, but he did manage to add depth to the O-line at a cheap price. All three signings (Ohrnberger, Rinehart, Dunlap) are upgrades to the line capable of starting.

After the draft, we'll have a better understanding of who the starters will be, assuming that San Diego drafts an offensive lineman in the first round.

Defensive Line

Left End

No. 1: Corey Liuget

No. 2: Logan Harrell

Right End

No. 1: Kendall Reyes

No. 2: Damik Scafe

Defensive Tackle

No. 1: Cam Thomas

The D-line suffered more losses than gains during the offseason. In fact, the D-line hasn't gained any new players thus far.

The current starters share just six years of NFL experience among them, making this unit the youngest and a targeted area to be improved upon through the draft.

Linebackers

ROLB

No. 1: Jarret Johnson

LOLB

No. 1: Melvin Ingram

No. 2: Larry English

RILB

No. 1: Donald Butler

No. 2: Andrew Gachkar

No. 3: Phillip Dillard

LILB

No. 1: Jonas Mouton

No. 2: Bront Bird

The linebackers unit is equally concerning as the D-line, considering the loss of veteran Takeo Spikes. Shaun Phillips is also a casualty the team is expected to lose. 

Both men contributed a wealth of experience and helped the team become one of the toughest run defenses last season. The gaping hole left by Spikes is currently filled by second-year man Jonas Mouton, who has yet to be truly tested as an NFL player.

Cornerbacks

RCB

No. 1: Derek Cox

No. 2: Shareece Wright

No. 3: Johnny Patrick

LCB

No. 1 Marcus Gilchrist

No. 2: Greg Gatson

What the Chargers lose in experience at the cornerback position they gain with youth and raw talent. Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer are replaced with former Jacksonville Jaguar Derek Cox and second-year player Marcus Gilchrist.

Cox has a knack for creating turnovers, and Gilchrist is beginning to come into his own after spending his first two seasons on special teams and in nickel packages on defense. Shareece Wright is not far behind either after he made some noise during last year's preseason with his playmaking ability.

Cornerback is probably another position the Chargers will address through the draft as well.

Safety

Free Safety

No 1: Eric Weddle

No. 2: Darrell Stuckey

Strong Safety

No. 1: Brandon Taylor

No. 2: Sean Cattouse

The safety position lost veteran Atari Bigby, meaning Brandon Taylor will most likely take over the starting role he was drafted for last year. However, the team will have to wait and see if he can recover in time from a pretty severe knee injury to be ready to start the season.

Special Teams

Kicker: Nick Novak

Punter: Mike Scifres

Punt Returner: Eddie Royal

Kick Returner: Richard Goodman

LS: Mike Windt

Nick Novak signed a contract to remain a Charger for four more years, ensuring that the kicking duties will be in good hands. The team also re-signed long snapper Mike Windt.

The special teams unit of 2013 will mirror the 2012 version.