SAN DIEGO – General Manager A.J. Smith tied a franchise record by selecting five players in the first three rounds of the draft as the Chargers stocked up on defense and special teams.
San Diego selected defensive end Corey Liuget at No. 18 overall, then followed with a pair of cornerbacks and an inside linebacker on the draft’s first two days.
Smith did not make a draft trade for the third time in nine years, electing to use all eight picks. He cited labor uncertainty and above-average defensive talent near the top of the draft.
“We were extremely excited to have the five (picks) before it flattened out in the fourth round,” Smith said. “(Liuget) is a big man. We’re going to pencil him in at defensive end. We can slide him inside and give him some heavy work in there. We just think this is a nasty, physical football player.”
San Diego State receiver Vincent Brown and Connecticut running back Jordan Todman give Head Coach Norv Turner and one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses some new toys.
But the Chargers concentrated on defense with the rest of their early picks, bolstering their nickel personnel and adding capable special teams players.
Clemson cornerback Marcus Gilchrist is expected to compete at nickel back, while USC cornerback Shareece Wright adds depth outside. Liuget could line up opposite 
“We play a lot of teams that are going to spread us out next year,” Turner said. “That’s something we’re going to have to be prepared to handle.”
San Diego’s draft haul included four Day Two picks, the most during Smith’s tenure as general manager. The five players in the first three rounds tied with New England for most in the NFL and matched the team record (’75, ’95).
Several could begin their careers as special teams players, including Missouri linebacker Andrew Gachkar, a seventh-round pick.
“We’ve always had an emphasis in the past, but we have upped that baby this year,” Smith said.
“We’re trying to upgrade special teams with speed guys, quick guys, and more importantly what we call football temperament. We’ve got to go back to that mentality where you’re going to go down there and get after people. We’ve got some guys that have done that in college.”
New special teams coach Rich Bisaccia spent dozens of hours watching film on potential special teams players and called working with the Chargers’ coaches and scouting department for the first time “phenomenal.” Those that gave input during evaluations mentioned the special teams history for each player.
“That’s going to pay dividends for all of us here in the end,” Bisaccia said. “The thing that was exciting for me was that we drafted athletic, fast football players that have played multiple positions in college and are certainly going to be expected to do multiple things here within our organization.”
Bisaccia called Gilchrist “steady” as a kick returner and expects him to compete for the role when he arrives in San Diego. The Chargers will evaluate the drafted players against the two-deep special teams depth chart that Bisaccia has compiled based on video of current players.
The Bolts didn’t ignore adding parts to the NFL’s No. 1 offense.
Brown and Todman offer San Diego two skill players with productive college careers. Brown produced 1,352 receiving yards last season and Todman rushed for 1,695 yards. Both scored double-digit touchdowns.
Michigan offensive lineman Steve Schilling played guard and tackle in college and will give the Chargers another option to consider.
Turner cautioned against reading into the Chargers’ selection of Todman, saying it does not signal the end of San Diego’s interest in
“He’s a big part of what we do and will still be a big part of what we do if we can keep him here,” Turner said.
