SAN DIEGO -- A wrap-up of the San Diego Chargers' draft.
Best move: They gave up a couple draft picks to get him, but securing running back Melvin Gordon in the first round with the No. 15 overall selection was the team's top priority in this year's draft. The Chargers needed an explosive playmaker who can score from anywhere on the field, and Gordon can be that. His ability to churn out first downs on the ground should create balance on offense for the Chargers, thereby easing the load of carrying the offense from Philip Rivers.
Riskiest move: In the third round, San Diego selected cornerback Craig Mager, even though the Chargers already have two starting corners on the roster in Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett, along with nickel cornerback Patrick Robinson signed in free agency. Mager has all the measurables and physical traits the Chargers seek in a top-notch cover corner, but he did not play against elite level competition at Texas State. Typically, teams would like players in the top three rounds to develop into a starter within two years, but I do not see a clear path to regular playing time for Mager unless someone gets injured. This move is a luxury pick, when San Diego had more obvious needs on defense that should have been addressed in the third round.
Most surprising move: The Chargers were rumored to be potential trade partners with the Tennessee Titans in order to move up and select Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Team officials held a private workout with Mariota in Eugene, Oregon. San Diego also checked out UCLA's Brett Hundley, Baylor's Bryce Petty and Colorado State's Garrett Grayson. However, the Chargers failed to get a developmental quarterback in this year's draft, something they would have liked to accomplish with Rivers heading into the final year of his contract.
File it away: Second-round selection Denzel Perryman said he's looking to earn a starting job sooner rather than later as a rookie. With San Diego's uneven tackling on defense the past two seasons, he should get an opportunity. At 5-foot-11, 236 pounds, Perryman compares to other middle linebackers who pack a punch for their size, including Sam Mills and London Fletcher. Chargers coach Mike McCoy said Perryman reminded him of other productive University of Miami linebackers he had in Carolina, such as Dan Morgan and Jon Beason. The Chargers gave up 4.53 rushing yards per carry in 2014, No. 29 in the NFL. The addition of Perryman should help improve that number in 2015.
My take: Gordon and Perryman are legitimate impact players who should contribute as rookies. Other than that, with a league-low five selections, San Diego just didn't have enough bites at the apple. With several areas that needed attention in this year's draft, the Chargers will have to rely on the improvement and continued health of players already on the roster for a return to the playoffs in 2015. Thumbs up
