Chargers general manager Tom Telesco met with the media in a Zoom pre-draft press conference call to discuss multiple topics. It was the first time Telesco has met with the media since the NFL Scouting Combine.
Here are a few things we learned from Telesco during his press conference with the media:
Quarterback class is deep
While many have projected the Chargers to select a quarterback early, Telesco isn’t just locked into the top signal-callers. He believes the class offers talent and value in every round.
“It’s pretty strong,” Telesco said. “I think that people tend to look at only the top of the draft at these different positions, but a lot of them there’s players as you move on, in second, third and fourth rounds that I think are going to be very good players in this league… it’s a good class of quarterbacks.”
Injuries are being taken seriously?
When players are selected next week, expect the ones that the Chargers pick to be as durable as a rock.
“We value the durability of players very high. It doesn’t matter how good they are on the field if they can’t even get on to it.”
Or at least that’s what he wants us to believe, for now.
Telesco’s statement has had fans believing that former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa won’t be in consideration with the No. 6 overall pick because of his lengthy injury history during college.
However, with less than a week to go until the draft, everything that is said must be taken with a grain of salt because general managers and front office personnel want teams to believe everything they’re saying so that way they don’t show their bluff.
Forrest Lamp in the mix at left tackle
The left tackle position still remains a mystery after the departure of Russell Okung. I mentioned how it wouldn’t be surprising if they bank on Trey Pipkins to serve as the starter, or elect to select one on Day 2 to create competition at the position.
But could there be a possibility of Forrest Lamp being in the mix for the job? Telesco said that Lamp could be an option. Lamp played left tackle in college, but kicked inside to guard when he got to the pros. Unfortunately, he has struggled to stay healthy due to various lower body injuries.
Telesco also said tackle Sam Tevi has “very good left tackle feet,” suggesting that he could have a shot for the job, too.
While these all might not seem like the most viable options for left tackle, new offensive line coach James Campen has done an excellent job at developing the most average offensive linemen into All-Pro selections.
Mike Pouncey is doing well
Pouncey suffered a severe neck injury in Week 5 of the 2019 regular season, leaving his career up in the air. Fast forward to now, Pouncey is “trending in the right direction” to play in 2020. “Everything looks good right now,” Telesco said.
Pouncey still is not cleared to play yet, though. Medical and travel limitations related to the COVID-19 pandemic have prevented him from a checkup on his neck, Telesco said. Pouncey has one more year remaining on his contract.
Other notes
- There’s no solidified plan regarding Chris Harris’ role on the defense, but he can play multiple spots in the secondary. The same thing applies with Desmond King, who Telesco said can play “outside and inside.”
- Telesco said the limits on offseason workouts and instruction caused by the coronavirus won’t push the team to push more polished prospects up the draft board over more talented but rawer ones.
- Expectations for the second-year players are different because of the lack of a traditional offseason. He said those players will need motivate themselves to work and get better but believes they’ve picked guys who have that makeup.