Los Angeles Chargers: The Tom Telesco Draft Awards
By Tyler Schoon
The Overachiever
Nominees: Jatavis Brown (LB), Isaac Rochell (DT/DE), Desmond King (DB)
Though Justin Jackson could carve a role for himself this season and beyond, Isaac Rochell is really the only seventh round selection by Telesco to make the team, improve, and carve a role for himself on defense. He’s an ascending player that will never be mistaken for Joey Bosa, but is going to play well into the rotation this season.
Brown and King are both former fifth-round selections that were praised by fans and pundits alike, particularly for their value and potential to start immediately. Brown has 255 combined tackles in three seasons, and King was just named a First-Team All-Pro defensive back.
All three have over-achieved thus far, but the guy who plays the most snaps at two positions has to be the winner here.
Winner: Desmond King
Worst Draft:
Nominees: 2013, 2014, 2015
Thankfully the Chargers organization was patient, because Telesco’s first three drafts, particularly his first two, were the worst of his six. The 2013 class has only one member remaining, the 2014 class none, and the 2015 class just two. In 2013, Telesco drafted really his only first-round bust in D.J. Fluker, though he’s having a bit of a career resurgence in Seattle. If not for Keenan Allen, that draft may have easily taken the award for worst draft. The 2015 draft class has mostly left the franchise, but it found a (debatable) franchise back in Melvin Gordon and has produced solid contributors in both Kyle Emanuel and Darius Philon. Perryman, when healthy, is a solid starter.
That leaves the 2014 draft, which may have been the easiest “winner” to pick among all the awards. Jason Verrett was a force when healthy, but has been mostly a waste of time and money for the organization for two years. Chris Watt was a nominee for worst pick, Ryan Carrethers never grew as a player, and Marion Grice and Tevin Reese didn’t even make the team.
Winner: The 2014 Draft Class