Team-by-Team Draft Review: San Diego Chargers

Scott Peak Posted On May 23, 2015

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We continue our draft reviews with a look at the San Diego Chargers, who ended up with one of the best running back prospects we’ve had in years.

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First round – Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin

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The Chargers might have been better served taking Cameron Erving at pick 15, given their interior offensive line was a significant problem last year – the Chargers had a revolving door at center. Chris Watt appears to be the center of the future (2014 3rd draft pick), but he could only play 331 snaps and finished as the 20th ranked center last season (Pro Football Focus). The Chargers situation at guard was even worse, as Chad Rinehart and Johnnie Troutman were not particularly effective. The Chargers did add Orlando Franklin as a free agent from the Denver Broncos and he could be a sizable upgrade for them. Gordon could stand to benefit from the addition of Franklin, along with King Dunlap and DJ Fluker opening holes for him.

The Chargers finished 2014 in the bottom-three rushing offenses (#30), so clearly running back was a huge need. Gordon should get a long look as the feature back, and he could give Todd Gurley a run as the top running back in this class for fantasy production. Gordon didn’t catch a lot of passes in college, but I’m not concerned and I’m sure the Chargers will give him plenty of opportunities to prove his worth as a receiving back. Questions remain on whether Gordon is a product of the Wisconsin system, and the history of Wisconsin running backs transitioning to the NFL is sordid (Montee Ball, James White, Brian Calhoun, Michael Bennett and Ron Dayne). Gordon won’t be busting out 400+ yard rushing games against NFL defenses. There is risk with Gordon, but given his track record, situation and lack of depth at running back in fantasy football right now, I think he’s a top four pick in dynasty rookie drafts.

Second round – Denzel Perryman, ILB Miami

Mike Mayock compared Perryman to Jon Beason and Jonathan Vilma – both productive linebackers and former Hurricanes. Perryman was a highly productive linebacker with Miami, increasing his production all four years in college and he finishing 2014 with 110 tackles (79 solos), two sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception. Perryman may be on the short-side (5 foot 11 inches tall), but he is rocked up. Perryman led all ILBs at the NFL Combine with 27 bench press reps, but finished average in most other drills. He is a strong leader and an asset as a run-defender.

Donald Butler had a poor 2014 season, and finished as the third worst ILB (Pro Football Focus, #58 out of 60 overall). Manti Te’o can’t shake the injury bug and he hasn’t fulfilled the promise of his draft position (second round pick 2013). Clearly the Chargers didn’t spend a second round pick on Perryman to sit on the sidelines. I expect Perryman to assume a starting role very soon, and I’ll be targeting him in rounds 2 or 3 of IDP rookie drafts. The Chargers play a 3-4 defense so the landing spot isn’t ideal, but he should get a good chance to start. Butler has a horrendous contract (7 years, $51 million) and an absurdly expensive dead cap figure of $20 million in 2015 (spotrac.com). In fact, Butler’s dead cap figure won’t become remotely reasonable until 2019 ($4.8 million; spotrac.com). As much as the Chargers and dynasty owners might want to be rid of Butler, I think Te’o may find himself unemployed given the negligible cap hit and his lack of production on the field. Consider trading Te’o if he has any name-value left in IDP leagues.

Third round – Craig Mager, CB Texas State

Mager is a small school product and he had a solid NFL Combine (4.44 40 yard dash, 38 inch vertical, 130 inch broad jump, 4.07 short shuttle and 6.83 3 cone). Mager is a press corner and an asset as a run-defender. He finished with 63 tackles, 46 solos and three interceptions in 2014. Mager can get burned and will need to tighten up his coverage if he wants to start in the NFL. Peeking in the backfield and getting beat for big plays is a fast way to get benched in the NFL (see link below). The Chargers do have a need in the secondary, as former first round pick Jason Verrett can’t stay on the field. Verrett suffered a torn labrum and rotator cuff injury in college, and was shut down after playing just six games for the Chargers, ultimately undergoing surgery for it.

The Chargers did get top 15 production from Brandon Flowers (Pro Football Focus) last season. Depth at CB is an issue for the Chargers, as inconsistent Patrick Robinson was signed away from the New Orleans Saints. If the Chargers are acquiring cornerback help from the Saints, it’s no wonder they drafted Mager. In IDP leagues, he is not a likely contributor, given he is raw and may not even start. In leagues that require CB starters, he’s worth monitoring, given his propensity to tackle well and yet get beat in coverage – that is a recipe for production in IDP leagues.

Here is an excellent link to view Mager’s film.

Fifth round – Kyle Emanuel, LB North Dakota State

Emanuel was a favorite of draft analysts. He showed big-play potential with 19.5 sacks in 2014, although playing for an FCS school, he might find the level of competition more challenging in the NFL. A starting role is within his grasp with the Chargers, though, as Melvin Ingram has been a disappointment, grading out poorly as an OLB (Pro Football Focus). The Chargers best OLBs in 2014, Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson, aren’t on the team anymore. Still, OLB in the Chargers 3-4 defense hasn’t historically been productive for fantasy owners, so Emanuel may be best left on waivers or stashed on taxi squads. He is a player to monitor only in big-play IDP leagues.

Sixth round – Darius Philon, DT Arkansas

Philon was a solid value in the sixth round, but his fit with the Chargers is a curiosity. Philon is undersized for a 3-4 DE (6 foot 1 inch, 298 lb), and he won’t be a 3-4 nose tackle at that size. He has demonstrated a quick first step and can rush the passer (4.5 sacks, 46 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss), but his role with the Chargers might profile as a situational pass rusher and reserve. He’s probably best left on waiver wires in all IDP leagues

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