Chargers general manager Tom Telesco spoke to the media about a variety of topics on Thursday, specifically about the NFL draft and free agency.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways:
What are the “needs” this offseason?
Telesco was asked where the team needs to improve this offseason and rather than naming specific position groups, he mentioned they need to be better on offense at running the football and in red zone. Defensively, pressure and takeaways are the priorities. On special teams, field position must improve. In addition on special teams, they didn’t have good enough play at the “gunner”, saying they didn’t “fit that right.”
Offensive line
Building the offensive line should be the focal point this offseason, but Telesco isn’t relegated to only fulfilling that. “We are trying to build a balanced football team. I don’t know if we are an offensive line away from a championship. We want to build a talented football team. There is a lot of avenues there,” Telesco said.
The plan with Hunter Henry
Henry headlines the team’s pending free agents and all options are on the table. Telesco mentions that their philosophy has always been draft, develop and re-sign. He added that it can’t apply to everyone but he did seem to imply that they want him back. Telesco didn’t rule out franchise tagging Henry again this year but did add the declining cap situation makes that decision tougher.
….Mike Williams
Williams is due $15.7 million in 2021, but the team could elect to rescind the fifth-year option or trade him this offseason. Telesco said they are going to keep all options open, adding that he is a “very talented player in this league.”
Free agency vs. NFL draft
Telesco’s philosophy when it comes to the draft and free agency is that the team prefers to draft and develop their own, then subsidize to team through free agency to get better. Telesco believes it’s a good draft this year. When signing free agents, the team will have to factor in the duration of the contract from a financial standpoint. “For a one year deal, teams get hit with a full cap hit. With a multiple year deal, you are able to prorate that contract for the length of the deal.”
Scouting approach
Despite some players opting out or having a shortened season in 2020 due to COVID-19, Telesco credited his college scouts, saying he feels comfortable about where we are in the process, adding that they still have pro days but he is happy with the work everyone has done. The difference between this year and any other year is that scouts were unable to go on campuses, they had to watched more tape than usual, limited contact with the players and had to learn about them through Zoom.