Best Draft-Day Contingency Plans for San Diego Chargers

With all the planning that goes into draft day, it should come as no surprise that teams place a high value on backup plans.

When Player A vanishes from the board, what then?

By the time April 30 rolls around, San Diego Chargers general manager Tom Telesco will have thought out every different scenario should this happen. Ten minutes isn't a lot of time in hindsight, and the last thing any team wants is another debacle like the Minnesota Vikings experienced during the first round of the 2003 draft. 

No, that won't happen to the Chargers. 

The next few slides will break down the contingency plans for San Diego's top three needs (offensive lineman, defensive tackle, running back) in the first round.

If La'el Collins Isn't Available...

Doug Benc/Associated Press

Even with left tackle King Dunlap signed through 2018, the Chargers still have concerns on the offensive line. Right tackle D.J. Fluker won't be moving to guard, according to Telesco, but that could change if Fluker's recent struggles in pass protection flare up again next season. Upgrades along the interior could also be coming for an offensive line that ranked 29th in 2014, per Pro Football Focus.

The best plan of action would be for San Diego to draft a tweener prospect such as Collins in the event he's needed to play multiple spots. If Collins isn't available, though, Cameron Erving could be an alternative. Stints at left tackle and center make Erving a candidate to play anywhere on the offensive line, and a good combine showing only strengthened his case as a first-round pick.

If Danny Shelton Isn't Available...

Eric Gay/Associated Press

The Chargers need a difference-maker at defensive tackle, and fifth-round draft choice Ryan Carrethers was not that last season, suiting up for only six games. Sean Lissemore is a decent rotational player but lacks the frame to control inside rushing lanes, which is why San Diego needs to go big in the first round.

Washington's Danny Shelton is about as big as they come, sporting a 339-pound build with tree trunks for legs, making him an ideal candidate to plug in the 3-4. Shelton's resume is strong enough to place him in the top 15 picks, though, possibly putting him out of the Chargers' reach.

In that case, Texas junior Malcom Brown is worth a look, having risen up draft boards after the combine. In 2014, Brown became the first Longhorns defensive tackle to lead the team in tackles for loss (15) and sacks (6.5) since former Lombardi Award winner Tony Degrate did so in 1984.

If Melvin Gordon Isn't Available...

Whether San Diego needs to go all-in on a running back in the first round greatly depends on the expiring contract of Ryan Mathews. The Chargers planned to meet with Mathews' agent during the combine, hoping to find some common ground in getting the 27-year-old a new deal, but nothing has come out yet that would indicate he's on board for 2015.

If the plan is to move on from Mathews, a fresh face will need to be added to the mix of Danny Woodhead, Donald Brown and Branden Oliver.

Melvin Gordon really solidified his status as a first-round draft pick with a strong combine, possibly moving ahead of Georgia's Todd Gurley. No running back has been taken in the first round since 2012, but Gordon is threatening to end the streak after a record-setting campaign at Wisconsin.

Settling for Gurley, who is coming off an ACL tear, isn't as bad as it seems, though. Sure, the injury is concerning, but both Michael Felder and Matt Bowen of Bleacher Report argue that it won't keep him out of the first round. Before the setback, Gurley ravaged defenses for 911 yards in six games, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

Combine results provided by NFL.com.