SAN DIEGO -- Center Chris Watt looked comfortable anchoring the starting offensive line during offseason work. And with the arrival of guard Orlando Franklin, the San Diego Chargers have a chance to have one of the most physically imposing offensive lines in the NFL.
Lock: D.J. Fluker, King Dunlap, Franklin, Watt
Looking good: Johnnie Troutman, Trevor Robinson, Joe Barksdale
On the bubble: Chris Hairston, Jeremiah Sirles, Kenny Wiggins, Craig Watts, Michael Huey, Ben Beckwith, Tyreek Burwell, Forrestal Hickman.
The good: The Chargers started five different centers last season. The lack of continuity created instability up front. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Philip Rivers was hit or under duress on 114 dropbacks last season, the 12th most in the NFL. However, with Watt, a second year pro out of Notre Dame, healthy and more comfortable in San Diego’s offense, the Chargers should have better chemistry up front. And Robinson provides offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris with a competent backup center should Watt suffer another injury. But perhaps the best move this offseason for the Chargers was the addition of Franklin. The University of Miami product gives San Diego some swagger up front. Paired with Dunlap on the left side of the line, the Chargers should be much better running the football. Fluker played right tackle during most of the offseason work, and is working to get down to about 330 pounds for training camp. At the end of minicamp Fluker said he weighed 346. Shedding some weight should help Fluker keep up with the speed rushers outside. However, a move to guard is not out of the question. Barksdale has worked at right guard and right tackle with the second unit, and likely will compete with Hairston for the swing tackle job.
The bad: The right guard position remains up in the air. Troutman is the leader in that competition, but he’s had conditioning issues in the past and finished 2014 on the injured reserve after suffering a knee injury against San Francisco in Week 16. Troutman’s strength is run-blocking, and the Chargers want to be more balanced on offense. Though Watt is more comfortable at center, he’s still inexperienced and will struggle at times against the elite defensive lines in the league (take a look a San Diego’s game against the New England Patriots last season). If Dunlap goes down, the drop-off at left tackle would be significant, but you could say that for most teams.
Bottom line: Chargers general manager Tom Telesco did a nice job of adding competent players to improve the overall depth up front should San Diego suffer the inevitable injuries that take place during the season. The Chargers average 6-foot-6 and 326 pounds up front, one of the biggest offensive lines in the NFL. "We’re going to play the best five guys up front," Chargers head coach Mike McCoy said. "Whatever combination that is come the opener, we’re going to move guys all around."
