San Diego Chargers' Top Needs, Fits for 2015 NFL Draft to Build for the Future

April has sneaked up on us, and pretty soon, so will the NFL draft. In about four weeks, the commissioner will be on the stage of the Auditorium Theatre announcing the launch of football's greatest offseason spectacle.

The San Diego Chargers hold the 17th pick in the first round, scheduled for April 30, and five more picks over the two days that follow. All the scouting and evaluations that took place much of last year and some of 2015 will come down to one weekend in Chicago, where the Bolts plan to add the best young players in the country, maybe even the next big star.

The following is a collection of eight pressing needs for the Chargers, with the top three to five prospects who satisfy those needs. There will be some instances when the highest-graded player won't be available simply because he is projected to go higher than what the Chargers may be slotted.

Running Back

Todd Gurley, Georgia

Considered the best available at his position, Gurley has drawn comparisons to Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch, among others. His combination of speed and power was unmatched at the college level, but a knee injury in 2014 raises concern about his availability upon being drafted. The torn ACL he suffered in November could hold him out till mid-August at the very latest.

Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

Gordon, the 2014 Heisman Trophy runner-up, is also garnering first-round consideration after accumulating the second-most single-season rushing yards in FBS history. Labeled a home run hitter by many, Gordon had 40 runs of 15 yards or more last season, including four over 60 yards.

Tevin Coleman, Indiana

Coleman shattered Indiana's single-season rushing record despite missing the final three games with a foot injury. He was unable to work out at the scouting combine coming off surgery and wasn't ready in time for Indiana's pro day a few weeks back, but Coleman will be holding an individual pro day on April 15. NFL media analyst Mike Mayock compares Coleman's burst to former first-round pick Darren McFadden.

Jay Ajayi, Boise State

Ajayi led the nation in rushing attempts and became the only player in FBS history to achieve 1,800 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season. He is a powerful runner with good hands and is considered the next-best option after Gurley and Gordon, according to NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah.

T.J. Yeldon, Alabama

Yeldon's junior campaign fell short of matching the production he accounted for in 2013, but scouts believe he is "undervalued" among his peers, per NFL media analyst Bucky Brooks. Yeldon could be a tremendous value on Day 2 of the draft.

Defensive Tackle

Malcom Brown, Texas

Brown started every game over the past two seasons at Texas, earning First-Team All-American honors as a junior in 2014. He became the first defensive tackle in school history to lead the team in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (13) since Tony Degrate in 1984.

Here's what ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay had to say about the penetrating big man from Texas in his latest mock draft: "Brown is a very good run defender and an improving pass-rusher, and he has the versatility to play multiple spots along the defensive front."

Eddie Goldman, Florida State

Goldman did not attend the scouting combine due to a minor neck injury but did participate at Florida State's pro day on March 31. He is considered the No. 2 run-stuffing prospect behind Washington's Danny Shelton, according to Chase Goodbread of NFL.com. Goldman won't offer much as a pass-rusher, though, as his bread and butter is stopping the run.

Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma

Phillips has ideal dimensions (6'5", 329 pounds) to fill space in a 3-4 defense, which the Chargers covet at nose tackle. He missed most of 2013 after a season-ending back injury but returned to play all 13 games for the Sooners, helping them rank eighth nationally against the run (106.3 rushing yards allowed per game).

Carl Davis, Iowa

Davis did a lot to help his draft stock at the Senior Bowl, earning Practice Player of the Week from a panel of NFL scouts in Mobile, Alabama. He didn't tally very many sacks at Iowa, and that could wind up hurting his draft stock, but scouts like what they see against the run. 

Grady Jarrett, Clemson

Jarrett lacks the size to be considered a nose in a 3-4, according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, but he could potentially contribute at defensive end. He made 10 tackles for loss as part of an Iowa defense that held teams to 103 yards rushing in 2014.

Offensive Tackle

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Wisconsin OT Rob Havenstein

Andrus Peat, Stanford

He's considered one of the more game-ready offensive linemen in the draft, according to Zierlein. He was a two-year starter at left tackle for the Cardinal but has strength to play the right side if needed. Peat's father, Todd, played six seasons in the NFL.

La'El Collins, LSU

Winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given to the SEC's top offensive lineman, Collins has started at left tackle the previous two seasons and was a 13-game starter at left guard his sophomore year. He is a good finisher in the run game and could possibly slide in at guard for the Chargers.

T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh

The former defensive end-turned-offensive tackle moved over to right tackle his junior year and progressed to a first-team All-ACC selection by his senior season. He has a tremendous ceiling, according to Mayock, despite being new to the position.

Jake Fisher, Oregon

Fisher's athletic ability will garner strong consideration from a zone-blocking team like the Chargers. He played guard and tackle during his tenure at Oregon and was a standout at the scouting combine in February.

Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin

One of the men tasked with opening up running lanes for Gordon and the nation's third-ranked rushing attack, Havenstein is a massive right tackle prospect (6'7", 321 pounds) who would complete San Diego's already gargantuan offensive line with Dunlap, Orlando Franklin and D.J. Fluker. 

Outside Linebacker

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Kikaha at Washington's pro day

Randy Gregory, Nebraska

Gregory recently admitted to failing a drug test at the scouting combine in February, per NFL media reporter Kimberly Jones. As a result, his draft stock could plummet out of the top 10 and possibly in San Diego's range at 17.

Gregory's NFL career is already in jeopardy, though, now that he'll be entered into stage one of the league's substance abuse program. If he can avoid becoming the next Josh Gordon and take control of the problem, he'd be well worth the risk for San Diego.

Bud Dupree, Kentucky

Dupree totaled 23.5 sacks over his four-year career at Kentucky, with 7.5 coming in 2014. At the scouting combine, he showcased impressive speed and athleticism for a man his size (6'4"and 269 pounds), finishing with one of the top three fastest times (4.56) in the 40-yard dash despite being hampered by a groin injury. Dupree will be highly sought-after with Gregory's recent shortcomings in the news.

Eli Harold, Virginia

Harold will be one of those late risers during the draft, as many consider him a sleeper of this year's class. His numbers at Virginia included 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2014, and he displayed good quickness during his workout in Indianapolis. Harold may have done enough to sneak into the bottom half of the first round.

Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington

Kikaha has been crowned the most accomplished pure pass-rusher in this draft class, according to Zierlein's write-up on NFL.com. As a Day 2 consideration, he has a ton of value, but a history of multiple ACL injuries will need to be checked out.

Nate Orchard, Utah

Orchard trailed only Pac-12 rival Kikaha for the FBS lead in sacks (18.5) and did so from his defensive end position at Utah. He does one thing and one thing only—rush the passer. But if that's all he'll be asked to do at the next level, Orchard is a strong candidate in that department.

Offensive Guard

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Tomlinson participating in Senior Bowl practice

A.J. Cann, South Carolina

A staple at left guard for the Gamecocks, missing just one game in four years, Cann was spotted playing center at South Carolina's pro day, per Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, which only strengthens his case as a high Day 2 selection, possibly even a late first-rounder. He has good power for an interior line prospect and pumped out 30 reps on the bench press in Indianapolis.

Laken Tomlinson, Duke

Tomlinson's stock skyrocketed following a strong week at the Senior Bowl. A four-year starter at right guard for the Blue Devils, he is probably the most natural fit for the Chargers, who need an upgrade over Johnnie Troutman. Interestingly enough, Tomlinson's NFL comparison according to Zierlein is Chris Watt, San Diego's third-round selection a year ago.

Tre' Jackson, Florida State

Chargers offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris was on hand for Florida State's pro day and helped in leading some of the on-field drills, per Eric Williams of ESPN. Jackson and center Cameron Erving were among the prospects to participate. Jackson was an All-ACC selection the past two seasons for the Seminoles and a three-year starter at right guard, protecting 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston.

Jarvis Harrison, Texas A&M

Harrison had offseason shoulder surgery prior to the start of the 2014 season and missed the first two games as a result. There are questions about his work ethic and dedication to the game, as Harrison was late to his own pro day, per NFL media senior analyst Gil Brandt. But he "looked very good in the positional drills." He has experience at both guard spots and left tackle.

Ali Marpet, Hobart and William Smith

Marpet is a small-school prospect with big upside based on his buzzworthy performance at the scouting combine. He was asked to play guard at the Senior Bowl and passed with flying colors. Marpet is undersized to play tackle in the NFL, but he has the skill set to play inside.

Wide Receiver

Breshad Perriman, UCF

Perriman's blazing 40-yard dash (4.24) at UCF's pro day has some analysts suddenly re-evaluating his draft stock. With that kind of speed, he'll be drawing first-round consideration by teams looking to add a burner on offense. The Chargers are hoping Jacoby Jones can satisfy their need for speed, but his strengths are focused mainly on special teams. Perriman averaged nearly 21 yards a catch last season and was the first UCF receiver with 1,000 yards since 2006.

Jaelen Strong, Arizona State

Strong transferred to Arizona State from Pierce College in 2013 and just recently became a full-starter for the Sun Devils. His strong hands give him the advantage when going up for contested balls, and he has a little bit of Malcom Floyd in his game, with the ability to go up and make the difficult grab look effortless. 

Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri

Green-Beckham has had multiple run-ins with the law dating back to 2012, but the most significant—an alleged incident between him and three women at a home in April 2014—resulted in his dismissal from the Missouri football team. He enrolled at Oklahoma but was forced to sit out all of last season per transfer rules. Some experts believe Green-Beckham may be the most talented receiver of the bunch, but his off-the-field troubles could stand in the way of being a high draft pick.

Nelson Agholor, USC

A dangerous return man who is very good after the catch, Agholor won't wow you with acrobatic or difficult snags, but once he gets a handle...watch out. He led the Trojans with 104 receptions and just over 1,300 receiving yards in 2014. Jeremiah compares Agholor to speedy slot receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

Inside Linebacker

Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State

McKinney paced the Bulldogs defense with 71 tackles and was voted First-Team All-SEC last season. Sadly, he did not run as fast at the combine as scouts might have hoped (4.66). McKinney is a high-volume tackler with good instincts, but both Mayock and Jeremiah consider him difficult to evaluate due to inconsistent play. 

Stephone Anthony, Clemson

Anthony led the nation's top-ranked defensive unit with 90 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss. He caught the eye of NFL media analyst Charles Davis at the Senior Bowl, who said, "He's a big-time player. Not many people around the country know enough about him. They're gonna learn quickly about him. He's a heck of a player."

Taiwan Jones, Michigan State

Jones locked down a starting job all four years at Michigan State and tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 12.5 in 2014. At his pro day, Jones improved on his combine numbers, running seven-tenths of a second faster than the 4.95 he posted in Indianapolis. He is a thumper in the run game and very physical in his pursuit at the line, but he was taken off the field on passing downs due to his stiffness.

Quarterback

Associated Press

Hundley at UCLA's pro day

Marcus Mariota, Oregon

The Chargers will be working out Mariota on April 15, per Goodbread, in the scenario he falls to them at 17 or a trade is initiated for the second overall pick with the Tennessee Titans. He has all the makings of a star and the right attitude to succeed, though many have questioned his ability to run a pro-style offense. But with Philip Rivers questioning his long-term future in San Diego based on comments made to U-T San Diego's Kevin Acee, the Chargers need to brace themselves in the event he moves on after the 2015 season.

Bryce Petty, Baylor

Petty has been labeled a system quarterback, as indicated by his inflated passing numbers at Baylor. He led the Bears to back-to-back Big 12 championships and threw for more than 8,000 yards and 61 touchdowns his last two seasons. He has some mobility to him as well but won't be winning many footraces at the next level.

Brett Hundley, UCLA

Hundley's own coach, Jim Mora, doesn't believe the former Bruins quarterback has all the traits to start right away, saying in an interview with the NFL Network:

"

I think if he can find the right situation where he can go in and learn and have a couple years to work on his craft -- because he will work on it, his work ethic is off the charts, character is off the charts -- if he can get himself in the right situation where he's not thrown right into the starting lineup, then I think he can be a very productive NFL player.

"

Like Oregon's Mariota, Hundley is a talented runner, but he hasn't spent much time under center. He will need coaching up from the pocket.