DJ Fluker's Contract Option Reportedly Picked Up by Chargers

The San Diego Chargers may not have found an anchor left tackle in D.J. Fluker, but they apparently like the versatile lineman enough to keep him around.

Albert Breer of NFL Network reported the Chargers exercised their fifth-year option on Fluker's contract Friday. Fluker, 25, will make the average of the third to 25th-highest-paid players at his position. Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune confirmed the move. 

What position Fluker plays in 2016 will ultimately determine his salary. Drafted as an offensive tackle in 2013, Fluker was exclusively a right guard last season. The Chargers started Joe Barksdale at Fluker's former spot at right tackle, while King Dunlap protected Philip Rivers' blind side.

Barksdale signed a new four-year contract this offseason, so it's overwhelmingly likely Fluker will stick at guard.

"He’s a guard right now.  But again, I wouldn’t limit him," general manager Tom Telesco said in February, per Ricky Henne of the Chargers' official website. "Our offensive line is an area we do need to get better at, and we’ve always said we will put the best five player combination out there.  He can play both right tackle and guard for us, so I would not put a limitation on it and say he will only be a guard.  He can also play right tackle for us, and play it very well."

Pro Football Focus' grading system ranked San Diego as the worst offensive line in football. It was dead last against the pass, 31st against the run and 29th in penalties. Fluker was far from the most egregious failure on that line, but he wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire.

Billed as a run-stuffing maven coming out of Alabama, Fluker's been mostly fine on the ground but a complete mess at times against the pass. A move inside was supposed to help matters, but opposing defenses were still able to tee off on Rivers.

Because the fifth year is only guaranteed for injury, there's no real risk here. The Chargers could cut bait next offseason if Fluker continues to disappoint. This is more of a failsafe than an actual agreement. If Fluker has a big year, it'll give the Chargers a chance to keep him relatively cheaply and perhaps negotiate a long-term extension.

But more than likely this ties Fluker and the Chargers together for 2017. It would take a Robert Griffin III-esque fallout for the Chargers to rescind their offer. Even if Fluker tops out as a mediocre NFL player, the average guy you know is oftentimes better than the unknown.