Skip to main content
Advertising

Chargers Official Site | Los Angeles Chargers - chargers.com

How Anthony Lynn Shakes Up the Bolts' Draft Board

With the Los Angeles Chargers picking seventh in the 2017 NFL Draft, here are the 25 most recent players selected with the number seven overall pick.

Head Coach Anthony Lynn has put his fingerprints on the Los Angeles Chargers organization from the moment he arrived on January 13.

Change is a natural part of the hiring process, so it's important to note Lynn's impact on the team's draft plans as the Chargers head to Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine.

After all, his arrival naturally shakes up their draft board.

One of many examples is the shift into a 4-3 defense.  When preparations began nearly a year ago for the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chargers were in a 3-4 scheme.  Thus, prospects may have been a better fit for the previous regime than the current one, while others will see their name rise on the Bolts' draft board as a result.

Still, Lynn's presence does not change the team's evaluations for any prospect.

It only changes what they are looking for.

"Our personnel department has to know what our coaches are looking for," said President of Football Operations John Spanos. "That is always the first step as you get ready for anything where you are adding new players. We are going to make sure we are totally dialed in in that area."

General Manager Tom Telesco echoed those same sentiments.

"Certainly with the new coaches, it's important that we spend a lot of time with them.  We have to get a feel for what they look for in players for their system, both offense and defense.  On offense, we have a great deal of continuity but we'll certainly have new wrinkles.  So, this Combine we'll be talking a lot with our coaches for that purpose, and not just with prospects."

While the new coaching staff won't alter draft grades, they'll greatly influence the team's board and potential targets.

"This is exactly why the college scouts scout every player," Spanos explained. "You never know what system you may be in come the draft. Our scouts have been very thorough, and every school they go to they scout every player. So, we have full reports on everyone. What are the details of their skillset? What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses?  Where do they excel? What type of player are they? We have all that information. But yes, I think the defense for some positions might be a little different with the change. It actually opens up the board a little bit for some players that maybe didn't fit in the old defense and now do."

It's only natural to wonder how the aforementioned change to a 4-3 will impact the roster as currently constructed.  However, if you think wholesale changes are in order, that couldn't be further from the truth. 

Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley explained the pieces in place were part of the reason he coveted joining the Bolts.  Spanos agrees wholeheartedly with Bradley.

"If you look at Gus' defense, a lot of the requirements for certain positions fit a lot of the players we currently have. I don't think it is accurate to describe it as a complete turnover where we have to gut the roster because we have a lot of talented players here. A lot of those players will fit into his defense."

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

From Our Partners

Advertising
;