San Diego Chargers NFL Draft Big Board: Position-by-Position Rankings

Teams around the league are putting the finishing touches on their big boards in preparation for the opening night of the 2015 NFL draft, which takes place Thursday.

The San Diego Chargers and general manager Tom Telesco, who was hired in 2013, have a short draft history together, but past selections have yet to draw much criticism. That being said, Telesco can't afford to take any steps back from the progress he's made since taking over. A good draft will do, but a great one will put him over the top in the third year of his four-year term.

Without further ado, here is the latest big board for the Chargers, ranking the top five players at five of San Diego's biggest needs.

Running Back

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The Chargers lost featured back Ryan Mathews to the Eagles in free agency, but his replacement is bound to come in the form of a first or second-round pick. Ideally, the Bolts would prefer a workhorse to complement their current stable in the backfield, and this draft class is full of them.

Most (if not all) of the running backs will be available to San Diego in the first round, but Day 2 has its gems as well. Here are the top five to watch.

1. Todd Gurley, Georgia

As indicated by the Instagram video he posted of himself sprinting on a treadmill, the torn ACL Gurley sustained five months ago is recovering quickly. Reports that his knee checked out fine at the medical rechecks in Indianapolis, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, backed that up even further:

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#Georgia RB Todd Gurley (ACL), who had medical rechecks yesterday & today, checked out fine, source said. Viewed as good to go for the draft

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 18, 2015"

2. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

ESPN just recently held a mock draft with writers from NFL Nation, and Chargers blogger Eric Williams shocked everyone by picking Gordon ahead of Gurley with the 17th pick. He argued that Gordon is ready to play now, while Gurley will not be 100 percent by the start of the regular season:  

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Video: Chargers reporter Eric Williams breaks down his first-round selection, Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon http://t.co/PyqYbrpQQP

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) April 27, 2015"

3. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

Abdullah wrote that he has "talked quite a bit" to the Chargers, via Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports, placing him in contention with Gurley and Gordon as the top fit for San Diego. Chase Goodbread ranked the top five pass-catching running back prospects on NFL.com, and Abdullah topped the list at No. 1. 

4. Tevin Coleman, Indiana

Coleman had a predraft visit with the Chargers, league sources told Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. There might not be a tougher running back than Coleman in the draft. He rushed for over 2,000 yards in 2014, most of them on a broken foot, Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report writes.

5. Duke Johnson, Miami

With Johnson having fumbled six times over the last two seasons at Miami, ball security has been a concern, but teams using zone schemes will fall in love with his one-cut ability. He finds the seam and explodes through it, challenging defenders to a footrace they have no chance of winning.

Edge-Rusher

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers have young talent at edge-rusher with Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu, former high draft picks themselves, but neither seems ready to set the world on fire next season with double-digit sack totals. Injuries have also proven to be a problem with this group, and the losses of Jarret Johnson (retired) and Dwight Freeney (free agent) do not help the situation.

Here are a few prospects exceptionally gifted at rushing the passer.

1. Vic Beasley, Clemson

Beasley making it out of the first round is considered a stretch, but the talent evaluator who worked with CBS NFL Insider Jason La Canfora on crafting a top-32 list for the draft believes it is a possibility. 

"You know what I think about him," the evaluator told La Canfora. "One-year wonder. I don't buy him. Put on a lot of water weight but he can never play at that weight. I don't like him and I don't have a first-round grade on him, but I guess I don't have 32 players better than him, either."

Beasley is expected to be the edge-rusher selected after Dante Fowler Jr., but negative evaluations like these could jeopardize his draft stock.

2. Bud Dupree, Kentucky

Dupree was also included in the rankings provided by La Canfora, just narrowly making the list of 32.

"One-trick pony," the evaluator said. "I see him getting all of this attention and buzz, and I can't figure it out. I don't see it. He doesn't make enough plays for me."

But to his credit, Dupree registered 23.5 sacks during his time at Kentucky—the most by any active SEC player.

3. Randy Gregory, Nebraska

The Chargers had Gregory in for a predraft visit this month, per Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego, probably a good idea in case he slides on Day 1. Gregory failed two drug tests at Nebraska and another at the combine, Kim Jones of NFL Media reports, but he is still widely considered a first-round pick.

4. Shane Ray, Missouri

Ray was pulled over and issued a citation for possession of marijuana Monday by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, joining Gregory as a possible first-rounder with risk. Former Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik thinks Ray could drop as far as the fourth round as a result, according to an interview he did on ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike (h/t John Breech of CBSSports.com):

"

This changes Shane Ray dramatically because it's, to me, such a poor decision this close to the draft. It's the decision making. What is this guy going to do on Friday or Saturday night before a big game? Is he going to make another poor choice like this? And that's what you have to factor into it. The timing [of the citation] is so bad, and the foot issue, tells me that this guy isn't just dropping out of the first round, I think this guy's dropping to the third or fourth round now.

 

"

5. Eli Harold, Virginia

Harold is a borderline first-round talent who will be highly sought after at the start of Day 2. Mike Huguenin of NFL.com reports Harold has had visits with as many as 14 teams. 

Interior Defensive Line

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Defensive line play was not a strength of San Diego's last season, particularly at the interior, but the draft boasts a handful of top-notch prospects prepared to make an impact up front. As he noted during his predraft press conference, Telesco is pleased with the progress of last year's fifth-round pick, Ryan Carrethers, but with only six games played in 2014, Carrethers isn't a finished product to rely on.

The Chargers will be in a prime position at 17 to land one of the following players:

1. Danny Shelton, Washington

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has pinned Shelton to the Chargers in the fifth rendition of his mock draft, citing the team's need for an upgrade at nose tackle as his reasoning. Shelton is a dominant run-stopper and will be an imposing figure on the defensive front.

2. Arik Armstead, Oregon

Overall production is not a selling point of Armstead's, as he profits mainly from upside with evaluators. He tallied just four sacks during his tenure at Oregon, but elite size and powerful hands will interest teams willing to develop his talents.

3. Malcom Brown, Texas

Just as his ESPN colleague predicted, Mel Kiper Jr. has also tabbed a defensive tackle to the Chargers in the first round, and stopping the run is the staple of his argument why:

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I said before I can see a bunch of different players landing here -- including a running back -- but I think the fit of Brown as a needed two-gapping run-stopper to help the defensive line would be useful in the short term. This wasn't a good run defense last year, and it starts in the middle. Brown isn't a complete product yet, but but he's one of the better run-defending solutions among defensive linemen in this draft and the Chargers are going to want more inside than a guy like Sean Lissemore.

 

"

4. Eddie Goldman, Florida State

NFL media analyst Lance Zierlein considers Goldman among the draft's safest prospects, crediting his run-stopping prowess as the reason why:

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Goldman is big and strong, and does one thing as well as just about any defensive lineman in this draft -- he holds his ground. Teams looking at Goldman understand that he's not a pass rusher and he will probably come off the field on pass-rushing downs. However, his job will be to eat up gaps and hold the point of attack against the run, and he's a very safe bet to do just that.

 

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5. Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma

Phillips is a first-round talent, but season-ending back surgery in 2013 may keep him from hearing his name called on Day 1. He is an enormous space-eater just begging to find a home with a team running a 3-4 scheme on defense.

Interior Offensive Line

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Signing free agent Orlando Franklin to a five-year deal in the offseason was the first step in repairing the weakened interior of the Chargers offensive line, but the job isn't complete until the Bolts add competition for Johnnie Troutman at right guard. He is penciled in as the starter heading into 2015 but is easily the weakest link of the group based on his performance last season.

San Diego's options to strengthen the interior include the following players:

1. Cameron Erving, Florida State

Erving offers clubs flexibility along the offensive line, having played tackle and center during his time at Florida State, but his start in college actually came on the defensive side of the ball, so he's still learning. Chargers offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris was at Florida State's pro day to get a closer look at two of the Seminoles' top offensive line prospects, according to Eric Williams of ESPN: 

"

Chargers' coach Joe D'Alessandris helping to lead O-line drills at FSU pro day. C Cameron Erving, G Tre' Jackson potential targets for Bolts

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) March 31, 2015"

2. Laken Tomlinson, Duke

Tomlinson is a safe pick for the Chargers to experiment with should he fall to them in the second round. He "shot up draft boards" at the Senior Bowl, according to NFL draft media analyst Mike Mayock (h/t Mike Huguenin of NFL.com). Tomlinson, a four-year starter at right guard, is a natural fit to replace Troutman.

3. A.J. Cann, South Carolina

Cann's workouts at the combine and his pro day were adversely affected by a calf strain he sustained around then, but as David Caraviello of The Post and Courier reported, team scouts reassured him it won't factor into his draft positioning. In a national teleconference with the media, Mel Kiper Jr. praised Cann as the cream of the crop at guard (h/t Eric Boynton of goupstate.com).

"In terms of pure guard," Kiper Jr. said, "he’s No. 1 and I think he’s a second-rounder, maybe late Round 1 if that’s what you want.

4. Mitch Morse, Missouri

Morse was selected to the 2015 NFL draft All-Underrated Team put together by NFL Media analyst Charles Davis. He played mostly right tackle at Missouri but does have brief history at center as a sophomore. But as Zierlein states, "length and functional athleticism" are not some of Morse's strong suits, which are necessary traits to play tackle in the NFL.

5. Tre' Jackson, Florida State

The first pick in the draft hasn't even been made yet, but Davis has already determined five guaranteed steals, and Jackson is among them. 

"Jackson will probably go in the third round, but he'll likely be a plug-and-play guy and start in the NFL for a decade," Davis said. "He's a tough, physical player who is proficient in just about everything he's asked to do."

Quarterback

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Philip Rivers will play out the final year of his current contract but has given the Chargers no guarantee he will sign a new deal after this season. Ten-year veteran and current backup Kellen Clemens is a stopgap at quarterback, but the Chargers need fresh blood to develop behind him.

Assuming the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make Jameis Winston the first overall pick, here are the top five remaining quarterbacks for San Diego to consider:

1. Marcus Mariota, Oregon

The likely scenario in which Mariota becomes a Charger involves a Day 1 trade of Rivers (and draft selections) for the second pick overall, which is held by the Titans. Trading away a five-time Pro Bowler for an unproven rookie may seem foolish, but Mariota has a chance to be great, and Rivers can't play forever.

2. Bryce Petty, Baylor

Petty is the "clear choice" to be the third quarterback taken in the draft, according to Greg A. Bedard of The MMQB, who broke down Petty's accuracy and throwing motion in the film room. He singled out the Chargers as a possible fit for the Baylor quarterback

"If Petty can land with a team that has a veteran franchise quarterback with about two years left (like the Saints with Drew Brees, or Chargers with Philip Rivers) then he’s worth taking in either the second or third round of this year’s draft," Bedard writes.

3. Brett Hundley, UCLA

The Chargers held a private workout with Hundley just days after holding one with Mariota in Eugene, and they treated him to a similar audience, according to Alex Flanagan of the NFL Network:

"

a lot made of the heavy contingent the chargers sent to see Mariota. Funny thing is, a similarly heavy contingent went to see Brett Hundley

— Alex Flanagan (@Alex_Flanagan) April 28, 2015"

Hundley isn't as polished under center, but mobility and athleticism at the position will bait a team into drafting him.

4. Sean Mannion, Oregon State

Mannion has all the physical tools to make it in the pros—size, arm strength, experience in a pro-style offense—but he is still considered underneath the top three prospects based on performance in 2014. His numbers dropped off quite a bit in comparison to 2013, but Davis thinks Mannion will be better than what his final season in college indicates.

"Mannion had a very nice pro day, and he has an advantage over some other top QB prospects because he played in a pro-style offense in college rather than a spread system," Davis writes. "Give him an NFL supporting cast, and he has the ability to be a very solid pro signal-caller."

5. Garrett Grayson, Colorado State

Grayson was among the quarterbacks the Chargers worked out, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post, joining Mariota, Petty and Hundley as potential Day 2 or Day 3 selections by San Diego: 

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#chargers and #dolphins among teams who have worked out #CSU QB Garrett Grayson. Has four more scheduled. Stock rising

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) April 9, 2015"