COSTA MESA, Calif. – Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco will hold his pre-draft news conference on Monday.
With just four days left before the start of the draft, I do not expect Telesco to give out too much information this week.
So I’m not sure how much can be gleaned from Telesco’s comments in terms of how it relates to this year’s draft and who the Chargers select in the opening round. However, I’ll report back if Telesco says anything noteworthy.
The Chargers also will have open media availability for players participating in the team’s offseason program on Monday, with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley scheduled to talk with reporters.
Now, let’s take a look at two questions from this week’s mailbag:
Are the Chargers surprised that they don't have a Sunday or Monday night game. Do they feel disrespected
— KenWieczorek (@KenWieczorek) April 20, 2018
@eric_d_williams: I believe some in the organization were surprised the team received only one nationally televised game, particularly with the way the Chargers finished last year.
But hey, we are talking about a franchise that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2013.
If you look back over the last five seasons, the Chargers traditionally have not played many nationally televised games. The Chargers played three prime-time games in 2017, but just one in 2016, four in 2015 and two in 2014.
Some of that has to do with the team’s struggles to reach the postseason. The Chargers have made the playoffs just once since 2010. Along with that, the Chargers have been for the most part drama-free, with no Odell Beckham Jr. or Richard Sherman to grab headlines or create storylines nationally.
One way the Chargers can get more nationally televised games is by winning. The Los Angeles Rams made the playoffs last season and they have five nationally televised games. The San Francisco 49ers also secured five nationally televised games behind the strength of buzz created by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
More wins and a playoff run for the Chargers probably would lead to more nationally televised games in 2019.
If Harold Landry is available can he be a the pick?
— Alex (@AlexBr15en0) April 20, 2018
@eric_d_williams: Boston College edge rusher Harold Landry isn’t a player who has been linked much to the Chargers in this year’s draft, but he probably will go somewhere in the second half of the first round and would be a good fit in Bradley’s scheme.
At 6-foot-2 and 252 pounds, Landry projects as a LEO defensive end in the Chargers’ scheme. That’s where Melvin Ingram plays. However, Landry could play the OTTO position held by Kyle Emanuel.
The Chargers have perhaps the best pass-rush duo in the NFL in Joey Bosa and Ingram, but with the team letting Chris McCain go in free agency, the Chargers could use some pass-rush help. Landry would make sense as a player who could come in and develop behind those two.