Are Chargers moving Dan Feeney to center?

There has been a rumor circulating that Chargers offensive lineman Dan Feeney will take over as the team’s starting center.

After finishing the season as the starting left guard, Chargers’ 2017 third-round pick Dan Feeney reportedly might make the switch to center in 2018.

1) Heard it here first: #Chargers are kicking the tires on bumping Dan Feeney into center and making a move for another interior lineman.

— RosterWatch (@RosterWatch) March 2, 2018

Feeney, who saw reps at right guard and center in training camp, was a backup before filling in for an injured Matt Slauson at left guard for the final nine games of the season. Whether or not the rumor is true, the Chargers need to find an upgrade over last year’s starting center, Spencer Pulley, who graded out as one of the worst centers in the league, per Pro Football Focus. If the versatile Feeney is the guy at center, then the Chargers will need to look for a new left guard.

Slauson, who is an unrestricted free agent, has regressed, is coming off injury and just turned 32 years old. Moving on is the smart play. Panthers LG Andrew Norwell is the top option on the free-agent market, but the Chargers might not be able to afford the 26-year-old All-Pro lineman. Giants’ Justin Pugh, a former 2013 first-round pick who moved from right tackle to left guard (started at LG the last three seasons), and Colts’ Jack Mewhort, a former 2014 second-round pick who also moved from right tackle to left guard (three seasons at LG before starting at RG for the first time last season) are two players who have great upside but come with injury concerns, as both have played a full, 16-game season only once in their young careers. Giants’ Weston Richberg would have been a solid option if the Chargers were looking for a new center. He does, however, have experience at left guard.

The draft is also pretty deep for interior linemen. Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson, the top OL prospect, will be long gone by the time the Chargers pick in the first round. However, Ohio State’s Billy Price, Georgia’s Isaiah Wynn, UTEP’s Will Hernandez, Iowa’s James Daniels, Arkansas’ Frank Ragnow, Auburn’s Braden Smith, Nevada’s Austin Corbett and Ole Miss’ Rod Taylor are just a few players who could be available on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.