Breaking Down San Diego Chargers' Roster After the 2015 NFL Draft
The San Diego Chargers' roster is beginning to take shape following the conclusion of the 2015 NFL draft.
Training camp will better serve our knowledge of starters and backups, but until then, we can debate which players are ready for ample playing time and which aren't. A total of five rookies were added in the draft and another 21 were signed as undrafted free agents. Have the Chargers found the missing piece to get them back into the playoffs? We'll have to wait and see.
Here's a quick breakdown of the depth chart at every position, including projected starters and backups before the 53-man roster cuts.
***"R" denotes Rookie.
Quarterback
1 of 14
Starter: Philip Rivers
Backups: Kellen Clemens, Brad Sorensen, Cole Stoudt (R)
Where Philip Rivers plays once his contract expires in 2016 is up for debate, but until then, he's the starting quarterback of the Chargers—and a fine one at that. This team doesn't make the playoffs next season without him, which is why protection up front is all the more important.
Rivers labored through upper-body injuries for most of 2014 from all the hits he took behind a dreadful offensive line, but changes were made in the offseason that should help keep him in one piece.
Running Back
2 of 14
Starters: Melvin Gordon (R), David Johnson (Fullback)
Backups: Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver, Donald Brown, Jahwan Edwards (R), Dreamius Smith (R)
The Chargers landed Melvin Gordon with their first-round selection (No. 15 overall) in hopes that he'd take over for Ryan Mathews as the new lead back. While he's entirely capable of filling that role, he will not need to do so given the depth on San Diego's roster. Danny Woodhead, back from the broken fibula he suffered early last season, will likely supplant Gordon on third down, and Branden Oliver will find his way into the rotation after leading the team in rushing a year ago.
After a mediocre 2014 season, Donald Brown could be a player on the bubble heading into training camp.
Wide Receiver
3 of 14
Starters: Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd
Backups: Stevie Johnson, Jacoby Jones, Austin Pettis, Dontrelle Inman, Javontee Herndon, Torrence Allen, Titus Davis (R), Tyrell Williams (R), Demetrius Wilson (R)
Keenan Allen has a lot of making up to do after flying under the radar in 2014. His second season in the league fell way short of the production from his breakout rookie year with the Bolts. Thankfully, Malcom Floyd was there to help replace some of that lost thunder.
Stevie Johnson comes over from the San Francisco 49ers to help fill the void left by Eddie Royal in the slot, and Jacoby Jones adds some excitement to San Diego's return game.
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Tight End
4 of 14
Starter: Antonio Gates
Backups: Ladarius Green, John Phillips, David Paulson, Kyle Miller, Brian Parker (R), Eric Frohnapfel (R)
Antonio Gates showed no signs of slowing at age 34. But can the same be said for next season, or will Ladarius Green finally emerge as the main threat at tight end? Gates made it especially hard for offensive coordinator Frank Reich to keep him off the field, catching 12 touchdown passes in 2014, but the Chargers are doing themselves an injustice by keeping Green on the bench. He's a matchup nightmare for defenses.
Offensive Tackle
5 of 14
Starters: King Dunlap, D.J. Fluker
Backups: Chris Hairston, Kenny Wiggins, Bryce Quigley, Cameron Clemmons (R), Tyreek Burwell (R)
The Chargers inked King Dunlap to a new deal in the offseason, keeping their top offensive lineman in-house for the next four years, but they may have issues ahead at right tackle. D.J. Fluker has been a durable starter in the two seasons since he was drafted 11th overall in 2013 by San Diego, but pass protection has not been his strong suit.
Something has to change by Year 3 of his development, or he could wind up at guard, or, worse yet—the bench.
Guard
6 of 14
Starters: Orlando Franklin, Johnnie Troutman
Backups: Jeremiah Sirles, Craig Watts, Michael Huey, Ben Beckwith (R)
Orlando Franklin, who came over from the Denver Broncos in free agency, is a massive upgrade—quite literally—at left guard. At 6'7" and 320 pounds, Franklin and Dunlap (6'9", 330 lbs) make up one of the most physically intimidating tackle-guard duos in the NFL. Johnnie Troutman, for now, is the starter at right guard, but look for a healthy dose of competition headed his way in training camp. Jeremiah Sirles, who replaced Troutman when he got injured toward the end of the year, could be a player to watch.
Center
7 of 14
Starter: Chris Watt
Backup: Trevor Robinson
The Chargers went through a plethora of centers last season, but they enter 2015 with just two on the roster. Chris Watt takes over for the recently retired Nick Hardwick, with Trevor Robinson as his backup. They both started at least one game in 2014, but it will definitely be a learning curve next season.
Defensive End
8 of 14
Starters: Corey Liuget, Kendall Reyes
Backups: Ricardo Mathews, Tenny Palepoi, Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, Darius Philon (R), Damion Square, Cameron Botticelli (R)
Corey Liuget has the potential to be great—perhaps even a Pro Bowler—but he hasn't gotten the help he needs on the defensive line to do so. Kendall Reyes seemed like he could be that helping hand after his first two seasons with the Chargers, but his play took a step back in 2014.
Darius Philon, the team's 2015 sixth-round draft pick, could see time at defensive end, depending on what Reyes brings to the table. But his strengths translate better as an interior rusher in San Diego's nickel package.
Defensive Tackle
9 of 14
Starter: Sean Lissemore
Backups: Mitch Unrein, Ryan Carrethers
The Chargers did not pursue a big nose tackle in the draft—possibly because they still have faith in Ryan Carrethers even after he played in just six games as a rookie last season. They did, however, bring in an experienced veteran in Mitch Unrein, who will add depth in the rotation with Sean Lissemore.
Inside Linebacker
10 of 14
Starters: Donald Butler, Manti Te'o
Backups: Kavell Conner, Denzel Perryman (R), Curtis Grant (R), Ikechi Ariguzo (R), Nick Dzubnar (R)
Denzel Perryman is an exciting addition on defense, and he will push Donald Butler for more playing time. He was relentless in his pursuit of ball-carriers at Miami, and with enough snaps on defense, he could easily generate 100 tackles. Manti Te'o, when healthy, is also in that conversation. Injuries have proved costly with this group each of the last two seasons, but Perryman and Kavell Conner give the Chargers a solid one-two punch to fall back on.
Outside Linebacker
11 of 14
Starters: Melvin Ingram, Tourek Williams
Backups: Jeremiah Attaochu, Cordarro Law, Kyle Emanuel (R), Colton Underwood, Brock Hekking (R), Ryan Mueller (R)
The Chargers have high hopes for Jeremiah Attaochu in his second season. They are hoping he can prove he was worth trading up for in the second round of the 2014 draft. His rookie year was plagued by a hamstring injury, but he had flashes of greatness. For example, in Week 1, he blocked a punt and recorded a strip-sack against the Arizona Cardinals. Melvin Ingram has been unable to stay healthy for most of his career, but he is sorely needed to pick up the slack with Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson gone.
Kyle Emanuel, this year's fifth-round draft pick, has an uphill battle in shedding his small-school label (he went to North Dakota State). He dominated the little guys, but can he do the same against the best of the best?
Cornerback
12 of 14
Starters: Brandon Flowers, Jason Verrett
Backups: Patrick Robinson, Steve Williams, Chris Davis, Craig Mager (R), Richard Crawford, Greg Ducre, Manuel Asprilla (R)
The Chargers locked up Brandon Flowers for four years with a new deal in the offseason that keeps him and Jason Verrett together in the secondary. Verrett's shortened rookie year due to injury had its moments, and there are high expectations for what his second season holds as he comes off of shoulder surgery.
By far the most interesting pick of San Diego's 2015 draft was Craig Mager. As raw as he is, Mager runs well and plays with a lot of toughness. He has a ways to go up the Chargers depth chart, but he's a nice project for defensive coordinator John Pagano to work with.
Safety
13 of 14
Starters: Eric Weddle, Jimmy Wilson
Backups: Darrell Stuckey, Jahleel Addae, Adrian Phillips, Johnny Lowdermilk (R), Gordon Hill (R)
San Diego lost starter Marcus Gilchrist in free agency but replaced him with a player similar in style. Jimmy Wilson, like Gilchrist, has experience playing slot corner and strong safety, offering versatility at both positions. Darrell Stuckey, normally a special teams ace, is also in contention to earn playing time in the defensive backfield with the hard-hitting Jahleel Addae.
As long as Eric Weddle remains a Charger, the back portion of the defense is in good hands.
Special Teams
14 of 14
Starters: Mike Scifres, Nick Novak, Mike Windt
Backup: Josh Lambo (R)
Josh Lambo may seem like just another camp leg with Nick Novak on the roster, but don't let that fool you for a second. He was the eighth overall pick of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas but never made his debut due to injury. Lambo left soccer in 2012 to try his hand at place-kicking for Texas A&M, and he succeeded, hitting 20 of his 24 attempts in two seasons.
Novak has been one of the most accurate kickers in franchise history, but if the Chargers are seeking a cheaper alternative, Lambo could be worth a look.
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