How Tom Telesco is Building the Chargers

We are now on the edge of what will be Tom Telesco and Mike McCoy’s 3rd season with the Chargers. When TT came here he made it clear that he would build the Chargers through the draft. Now that we have the 53 man roster for the 2015 season we have to ask, “Is that what he has done? And what else has he done that he has not told us?”

76% of the players that will be on the Chargers roster at the start of the season will have been brought in by Telesco and McCoy.

One thing that becomes clear when you look at the numbers is this is now Telesco and McCoy’s team. 76% of the players that will be on the Chargers roster at the start of the season will have been brought in by them.

As for building through the draft. Of the players they have brought in, its about 33% free agents, 25% draft picks, 13% UDFA and 5% by other means. Its also important to note that most free agents that have been brought in are not starters. TT has looked to make bargain signings to add depth to the roster. Only 5 of the 18 free agents acquired are starters while 7 of the 14 draft picks are starters. Of the other 10 starters 8 are pre TT era, one was traded for and one if an UDFA.

We also need to give a tip of the hat towards Telesco’s scouting team. They have been able to recognize talent in guys that others have simply passed over. This roster now has 6 UDFA and some of those guys are solid football players like Branden Oliver, Josh Lambo and Jahleel Addae. Also this draft included a few “who?” moments on draft night from us fans, but as we have seen through camp these draft picks that we did not understand have turned out to be solid football players as well.

One other thing that Telesco has done is to make this team younger. Four years ago the Chargers were the oldest team in the league with an average age of 27.15. This year they rank 21st with an average age of 26.32.

Here are the totals and details for how each player was attained.

From Free Agency – 18 (33%)Pre Tom Telesco and company – 13 (24%)From the Draft – 14 (25%)Undrafted Free Agents – 7 (13%)Trade – 1Claimed from waivers – 1Signed from Cincinnati practice squad – 1

Offensive LineKing Dunlap – FAOrlando Franklin – FAChris Watt – DraftDJ Fluker – DraftJoe Barksdale – FATrevor Robinson – Signed from Cincinnati practice squadChris Hairston – FATyreek Burwell – UDFAJohnnie Troutman – Pre TT

Running BacksMelvin Gordon – DraftDanny Woodhead – FABranden Oliver – UDFADonald Brown – FA

Wide ReceiverStevie Johnson – FAKeenan Allen – DraftMalcom Floyd – Pre TTDontrelle Inman – FAJacoby Jones – FATyrell Williams – UDFA

Tight EndsAntonio Gates – Pre TTLadarius Green – Pre TTDavid Johnson – FAKyle Miller – claimed off waivers

QuarterbackPhillip Rivers – Pre TTKellen Clemens – FA

Defensive LineCorey Liuget – Pre TTKendall Reyes – Pre TTSean Lissemore – TradeRicardo Mathews – FARyan Carrethers – DraftDarius Philon – DraftMitch Unrein – FA

Outside LinebackerMelvin Ingram – Pre TTJeremiah Attaochu – DraftTourek Williams – DraftCordarro Law – FAKyle Emanuel – Draft

Inside LinebackersDonald Butler – Pre TTManti Teo – DraftKavell Conner – FADenzel Perryman – DraftNick Dzunbar – UDFA

CornerbacksBrandon Flowers – FAJason Verrett – DraftStevie Williams – DraftChris Davis – UDFA (On IR)Patrick Robinson – FACraig Mager – Draft

More from Bolt Beat

SafetyEric Weddle – Pre TTJimmy Wilson – FADarrell Stucky – Pre TTJahleel Addae – UDFA

Kicker Josh Lambo – UDFA

Punter Mike Scifres – Pre TT

Long Snapper Mike Windt – Pre TT

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