Setting Realistic Expectations for Each San Diego Chargers Rookie

All five members of the San Diego Chargers 2015 draft class will be met with expectations to shoot for next season.

For those who were selected early, the pressure is on to validate their draft slot with an impressive rookie campaign, while those taken later may have smaller goals in mind. Setting realistic expectations for first-year players can be difficult so early in the process, especially since training camp doesn't begin until later this month.

But for the sake of curiosity, let's try to establish some realistic expectations for each of the Chargers' rookies. They can be stat-related, role driven or a vague overview of what certain players might achieve during their first season in the pros.

Melvin Gordon

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Since Mike McCoy took over as head coach in 2013, the Chargers have taken the running back-by-committee approach in the run game, splitting carries between a core three. Gordon will presumably lead that trio next season based off talent level and his status as San Diego's first-round draft pick, but Branden Oliver and Danny Woodhead won't be far behind in touches.

Oliver showed exceptional burst as a rookie last season, and before the Chargers laid claim to Gordon in the draft, McCoy touted Oliver as a potential workhorse back, per Eric Williams of ESPN.com. Woodhead, meanwhile, remains the Chargers' preferred choice on passing downs.

That said, Gordon will have to get used to the idea of splitting carries, and therefore may be limited in what he's able to accomplish statistically speaking. FantasyPros correspondent Trevor Spranger has projected 1,100 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for the former Wisconsin star, but I have him a little under that at 1,000 yards and six touchdowns.

Denzel Perryman

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Defensive coordinator John Pagano is really good about getting everyone involved, which is why there should be no shortage of snaps for the Chargers' second-round pick out of Miami. Based on his reputation as a thumper, Perryman is expected to get the bulk of his work in San Diego's base defense, where he can go about his business in bringing down ball-carriers.

He totaled at least 100 tackles in each of his last two seasons with the Hurricanes, but for his debut with the Chargers, I am going with 70 tackles. Keep in mind that number could significantly increase if Donald Butler and Manti Te'o continue to be injury prone, allowing Perryman more playing time at inside linebacker.

Craig Mager

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Mager was a surprising pick on Day 2 of the draft, mostly for where he was drafted, but how he'll be used is just as curious. The Chargers already have two starting corners in Brandon Flowers and last year's first-round pick Jason Verrett, as well as a decent slot option in free-agent pickup Patrick Robinson, which raises the question as to where Mager fits into the equation.

He's got speed, that's for sure, but the scouts aren't high on his instincts. Many consider him as raw as can be, which doesn't bode well for his playing time. If I had to take a guess, I'd say Mager gets somewhere in the range of 100-120 snaps on defense, while also contributing on special teams.

Kyle Emanuel

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I have a pretty good hunch Emanuel will make the 53-man roster come September. For starters, the depth at outside linebacker isn't all that deep with Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson gone. And finally, the Chargers like to mix it up with their pass-rushers, giving Emanuel an opportunity to play that he might not have gotten from another team that drafted him.

The reigning top defensive player in the FCS is in the process of transitioning from a 4-3 defensive to a 3-4 outside linebacker, which seems to be going well by his account. Per Ricky Henne of Chargers.com, Emanuel has full confidence in his ability to adapt to a whole new position. With that in mind, I'll put him down for about 15 tackles and a sack.

Darius Philon

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There's no guarantee Philon secures a spot among the final 53, but if he does, the 21-year-old out of Arkansas could be looking at a role as a situational pass-rusher for the Bolts.

He doesn't have the girth to play end or tackle in the traditional 3-4 base defense, but as Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune explains, Philon is a perfect match for the Chargers' "movement 3-4," which resembles the 4-3 in design.

This particular setup would allow Philon to penetrate gaps and get after the quarterback. Assuming he does make the active roster, I will say 12 tackles but no sacks for the former Razorback.