San Diego Chargers: Rookie camp preparing young prospects

In the 2015 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers selected five players from all around the country including Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon, Miami ILB Denzel Perryman, Texas State CB Craig Mager, North Dakota State OLB Kyle Emanuel and Arkansas DT Darius Philon. Along with those five, the Chargers also happen to agree to terms with a total of 21 undrafted free agents.

Those 26 players joined with 15 other non-contracted rookies this past weekend to try their luck at earning a roster spot in 2015.

These rookies include: Pete Thomas QB Louisiana-Monroe, Tim Bennett CB Indiana, Kenny Scott CB Liberty, Christian Dudzik S North Dakota St., Chad Young FB San Diego St., Richard Ross TE Old Dominion, Darius Kelly S Syracuse, Brandon Reddish CB Syracuse, Andre Monroe DL Maryland, Hamani Stevens C-G Oregon, Alex Crosthwaite G California, Kevin Henry T Central Michigan, Forrestal Hickman T Missouri S&T, P.J. Jones DL Mississippi St., and Byron Bennett DL Mississippi.

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Out of all of the 47 players participating in Chargers rookie camp, nobody knows who will emerge as the front runners for a potential roster spot.

Overall, first round selection Melvin Gordon III has been unbelievable in practice thus far, running at virtual full speed even when in easy drills.

According to an article published by Chargers.com’s Ricky Henne, “’It went well,’ the running back said about his first practice. ‘I’m still just trying to learn everything (like) getting the calls, protections and things like that. I am trying to play as fast as I can, but also know what I need to do…. Around the nation, guys have been sitting out a while and haven’t played football for a while. So to get back out here, you’ve just go to get your legs back used to it and just get back rolling.’”

With that kind of mentality, it is easy to see what Tom Telesco and the Chargers front office saw in Gordon. The hard work Gordon has been showing in practice since being drafted is yet another indicator of how well he is going to turn out.

As I have always said, hard work and talent will take you to the top.

In terms of the other rookies, Kyle Emanuel, once a 4-3 defensive end, is now learning to transition into a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has had some difficulty learning the new position, but is confident that the OTAs and instruction from coaches will produce results.

Undrafted rookie signee and former Clemson Tiger Cole Stoudt was waived this week in place of Boston College and Green Bay Packer’s QB Chase Rettig.

Per Chargers.com’s Ricky Henne, “Following the signing of veteran right tackle Joe Barksdale, the San Diego Chargers made their second transaction of the week by adding QB Chase Rettig. To make room, the team released QB Cole Stoudt. Rettig starred for four seasons at Boston College, completing 685-of-1,242 attempts (55.25) for 8,263 yards and 52 touchdowns. He left BC ranked third all-time in completions, fourth in passing yards and fourth in touchdowns.”

With Stoudt out and Rettig in, we could be seeing yet another QB with the potential to start if Philip Rivers is gone by 2016. Of course, Rettig is going to have an impeccable pre-season showing in order to do so, but I have faith in the former BC signal-caller.

In other notes, former San Diego State Aztec star FB Chad Young made waves this past weekend as the team’s only true fullback.

San Diego Union-Tribune’s Michael Gehlken, “the closest thing the Chargers have to a fullback on their roster is David Johnson, a tight end who saw intermittent time in the backfield last season. John Phillips, also a tight end, took snaps there as well. Ninety players. No true fullbacks. The former San Diego State fullback is back in town, one of 15 players who are attending the Chargers’ rookie minicamp on a try-out basis…Young looks to prove he belongs.”

Gehlken’s quote brings up a very good point about the Chargers current roster situation and how they have eight tight ends and no full backs. I, for one, agree with the fact that the Chargers need to get rid of at least five of their current tight ends and add a full back.

Whether it be Chad Young or any other free agent, the Chargers need some good blocking so that Melvin Gordon can flourish in 2015 and I don’t see that happening without a designated full back.

In general though, most of the Chargers rookies (particularly those drafted) impressed. With the Chargers rookies working out with the veteran players this week, it remains to be seen how well these players do in the future.

Next: Joe Barksdale gives this offensive line hope

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